Safer Speeds are a key plank of New Zealand's road safety strategy. Reduced speeds (through lower speed limits, traffic calming, and other speed management initiatives) have been demonstrated here and internationally to reduce both the likelihood and severity of traffic crashes.
ViaStrada can assist with the development of speed management plans or review the effectiveness of previously implemented speed reductions.
In March 2016, Christchurch City introduced a 30 km/h zone within part of the central city.
ViaStrada was commissioned by Taupō District Council (TDC) to prepare a Speed Management Plan for their district. The Plan is based on the new Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) speed management policy and guidance, which reflects a more holistic approach to setting speed limits based on matters of road safety, community concern, and support for active modes.
Auckland Transport commissioned ViaStrada to conduct an independent review of the Mission Bay & St Heliers speed management proposals.
ViaStrada was commissioned by Tauranga CC to assess the effectiveness of the 30 km/h zone in Mount Maunganui, in terms of vehicle speeds and crashes, taking into account the changes in traffic volumes that have also occurred since its introduction in August 2011. A control zone immediately south of the study area, where the 50 km/h speed limit remained unchanged, was used as a basis for comparing general changes in the area. Five years of speed, volume, and crash data before and after implementation were used to analyse the effects.
The analysis found that:
ViaStrada was commissioned by Environment Canterbury (ECan), on behalf of the Regional Road Safety Working Group (RRSWG), to undertake the following tasks:
Project work included design advice for the Napier to Hastings intercity cycleway (February 2017). This included rural road safety advice on speed management, shoulders, and delineation for Marewa, Westminster and Sandy roads.
Recent development of residential subdivisions in the north west of the city has resulted in a substantial increase in traffic activity on a number of roads in the area. The increased activity has not been limited to vehicular traffic but it is evident that pedestrian and cycle activity has also increased. Previously many of the roads experienced very little traffic activity.
