Transportation guidelines

We have developed and updated transportation policy, planning and design guidelines for various national agencies. These have generally involved identifying and adapting best-practice international guidance to provide cutting-edge guidance for the industry. We are also heavily involved in formal trials and other operational research regarding new and innovative traffic devices and layouts. This expertise also feeds into the guidance we pass on in our industry training. Examples of these guidelines include:

ViaStrada and Abley Transportation Consultants were commissioned by the NZ Transport Agency to develop a national framework of guidance for planning and designing for cycling. 

 

Did you know that to date (June 2024), since 2003 over 1500 people have attended fundamental and advanced courses in Planning and Design for Cycling? Read on to find out more...

ViaStrada has developed (and subsequently updated) a comprehensive design guide for trail designers and project developers. The updated design guide is available from the NZCT website or the ViaStrada website. The guide is applicable to all cycleway projects outside of urban areas, and not just NZCT projects.

KiwiRail and the New Zealand Transport Agency have led the development of a New Zealand design guide for pedestrian and cycle facilities at rail crossings, both alongside roadways and stand-alone. They commissioned ViaStrada to fill the gap in cohesive policy, information and guidance on providing for pedestrians and cyclists at rail crossings in New Zealand, particularly level crossings. The resulting guidelines are now available for industry use.

ViaStrada was engaged by the NZ Transport Agency to assess the impact of a proposed new subdivision on the existing local road network.

ViaStrada was commissioned to undertake an investigation of possible separation devices for protected pathways that are intended to be "temporary" (i.e. a lifespan of 3 to 5 years before more substantive facilities are introduced). ViaStrada defined several criteria: temporary; level of service for people who cycle; attractive in appearance; and high value for money for ratepayers. A number of devices were identified and assessed according to these criteria, with recommendations and possible applications outlined in a report.

John, Axel and Jeanette have developed an automatic cycle counting programme for Hamilton City Council (HCC). The project identifies approximate site locations, counter types, time frames and indicative costs.

The objective of this project was to suggest whether Christchurch City Council (CCC) should continue its use of red coloured surfacing or change to green coloured surfacing for cycle facilities. We have examined a variety of factors, including international research, purpose of coloured surfacing, relationships with other special vehicle facilities, national consistency, connotations of different colours and logistics of change.

On the basis of national consistency and the superiority of green over red in terms of longevity, we recommended that Christchurch City Council adopt green as the new colour for cycle facilities. We suggested that this change can be implemented over a period of time. CCC adopted the recommendation at its 11 February 2010 meeting.

 ARRB Group (Melbourne) ran two-day workshops on "planning and developing walking and cycling strategies" in Australia and NZ. Andrew Macbeth teamed up with ARRB to develop content and deliver (with an ARRB co-presenter) the NZ workshops in Wellington and Christchurch.