Research and publications

We carry out transport research, think-pieces and policy guidance for national agencies, local councils, and other clients, and regularly publish and present to the industry (including many award-winning papers). Below are links to our latest published work:

ViaStrada director Andrew Macbeth (second from left) and Michael Ferigo (right) gave a presentation on their recent attendance at the VeloCity international cycling conference in Copenhagen.

There was an enthusiastic response from a capacity crowd to Andrew Macbeth's illustrated presentation in Nelson on 28 July 2010. The talk was based on Andrew's recent trip to Copenhagen and the UK. Andrew's main theme was that urban designers, traffic engineers and other professionals all work in the same space and need to work together better to provide sustainable towns and cities.

How wide should paths shared between pedestrians and cyclists be? Whilst these are common, very little guidance is available internationally. VicRoads wanted to know and engaged ViaStrada and SKM to undertake the research. Megan Fowler and Warren Lloyd (both ViaStrada) and Cameron Munro (SKM Melbourne) wrote a technical paper on this topic. This was presented as a poster (also shown below) at the IPENZ Transportation Conference in Christchurch in March 2010.

What happens when petrol prices go up, or buses go down? Following the 2008 petrol price rises and the 2009 Auckland bus driver industrial dispute, Andrew Macbeth and John Lieswyn (both ViaStrada) and Brian Horspool (Auckland Regional Transport Authority) wrote a technical note on this topic. This was presented as a poster (also shown below) at the IPENZ Transportation Conference in Christchurch in March 2010.

District Plans have an important role to play in the integration of land use and transport planning. ViaStrada engineers and planners have recently undertaken a review of the Selwyn District Plan and have prepared a plan change updating the Plan's transport provisions. Jeanette Ward, Lisa Williams and Kathryn Stapleton were the key ViaStrada team members. At the IPENZ Transportation Conference held in Christchurch in March 2010, Jeanette presented a paper prepared by herself, Kathryn and Andrew Mazey of the Selwyn District Council. The paper and the presentation are available online.

The 2009 CAN Cycle Friendly Awards were presented by the Hon. Jonathan Young. Axel Wilke was the MC for the Awards function. A PDF of the presentation, put together by Axel and Gaz Sanvicens, is available from the NZ Cycling Conference website.

Should broken yellow lines be marked in kerbside cycle lanes?

Axel Wilke (ViaStrada) and Michael Ferigo (Christchurch City Council) have written a conference paper about this project. The presentation was on Friday, 13 November 2009 at the 7th NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Cycle lanes were approved by North Shore City Council for installation on Lake Road between Esmonde Road and Hauraki Road. The project has been in the media on numerous occasions.

Andrew Macbeth (ViaStrada) and Chris Jones (North Shore City Council) have written a conference paper about this project. The presentation was on Friday, 13 November 2009 at the 7th NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Estimating the demand for new facilities is an important part of the economic justification for walking and cycling projects. Andrew Macbeth and Megan Fowler (both ViaStrada) and Lee Wright (Selwyn District Council) have written a conference paper about this project. This presentation was on Friday 13 November 2009 at the 7th NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

This presentation introduces the basic terminology of noise with particular reference to the performance standards in District Plans. Russell Malthus was asked by the conference organisers to prepare this overview for the benefit of the attending Environmental Health Officers from around NZ.