Research

On behalf of the NZ Transport Agency, ViaStrada is conducting research to evaluate the safety challenges of e-bikes and other low-powered vehicles (mobility scooters, e-skateboards, e-unicycles, etc). The aim is to generate a set of regulatory and non-regulatory options for addressing those issues in the New Zealand context.

Background

Transport for New South Wales commissioned ViaStrada to create a benefit cost analysis tool that assesses measures that prevent fatigue-related road crashes. Based on this tool, ViaStrada also assisted with the preparation of presentation material to make the case for investment in safety measures to address driver fatigue, including tactile line-markings, safety barriers, and rest areas.

During 2014, ViaStrada investigated a network of connected shared paths on the southern side (left bank) of the Manawatu River in Palmerston North and the preliminary location of a new pedestrian cycle bridge across the Manawatu River.

ViaStrada has been commissioned by VicRoads to undertake research on physical bicycle lane separators. Undertaking the trials included site selection, design of the empirical study and evaluation of the results. The aim of the study is to establish whether the devices are safe for all road users and effective in reducing the occurrence of drivers utilising the cycle lane. The separators are shown in Figures 1 & 2.

Between 2001 and 2005, 689 red light crashes were recorded in Auckland. An analysis of red light running crashes at thirteen intersections in the central city resulted in an estimated social cost of around $12.5 million, or nearly $1 million per intersection over five years. New Zealand Police and Auckland City Council agreed to undertake a red light camera pilot project.

As part of the Integrated Transport Plan to support the Kaiapoi Town Centre Plan, ViaStrada has developed intersection options and concept designs for Williams Street, the main thoroughfare through the town centre.  One option includes a redesign of the existing roundabouts to better cater for pedestrian crossings and truck turning movements.  One of the intersections featured a particularly acute angle presenting a design challenge and potential stakeholder acceptability issues.

In 2009, Gehl Architects prepared a study entitled Public Space Public Life (2010) that considered how people use public spaces and streets in central Christchurch. This precedent study resulted in Christchurch City Council's adoption of A City for People Action Plan (2010), which includes 66 related actions based on the recommendations in the study.

Some of those actions were addressed by this project, which was delivered in two stages.

ViaStrada conducted an analysis of reported vehicle/pedestrian and vehicle/bicyclist crash data for the five years prior and three years post improvements at schools across the Auckland region.
Treatments included safe routes to school educational programmes (141 treatment and control sites) and 40 km/h reduced speed limits (90 treatment and control sites).  

IMPORTANT NOTE

The project summary which follows describes a recommended cycle network which will likely require amendment post the Christchurch earthquakes, and will also need to be approved as part of the larger Christchurch Transport Plan.  It does not represent adopted council policy.

Overview and Background

Stage 1 (completed in 2009) involved mapping the existing cycle lane and shared path networks.  The deliverable from stage 1 was a GIS map of the data collected.