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:

A Wellington street on a wet dayLet's Get Wellington Moving engaged ViaStrada to undertake several safe system audits of proposed corridor and intersection upgrades around Wellington City, with a particular focus on safer multi-modal journeys.

Call ViaStrada when you need your people-friendly transportation projects assessed.

parking guidanceViaStrada staff augmented their extensive experience using and designing cycle parking with a literature review of European guidance, the Australian standard (which has substantial gaps), and the very lengthy Austroads guidance. The resulting guide is a concise how-to for architects, engineers and planners available online.

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.

Level xing 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.

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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. This project came as a result of the NZ Cycling Safety Panel identifying a need for further guidance and was supported by industry feedback.

The resulting framework, titled Cycling network guidance - planning and design (CNG) was officially launched in July 2016. It provides comprehensive guidance and / or links to appropriate sources. ViaStrada continue to provide ongoing support for NZTA to update existing and add new CNG content.

Contra-flow cycling signAuckland Transport commissioned ViaStrada to develop and investigate some options for providing contraflow cycling on three suburban one-way streets. In the absence of current design guidance or practical examples for New Zealand, a “first principles” approach was taken to consider all possible ways to provide for contra-flow cycling on the streets in question.

Intersection in SeatleIn 2016, the IPENZ Transportation Group committee granted their annual study award to two members, Megan Fowler (ViaStrada) and Claire Graham (Auckland Transport) as both submitted similar and complementary proposals relating to protected bike facilities. Megan's study focuses on ways of addressing the conflicting movements of bicyclists and motorists at signalised intersections involving protected bike lanes.

Megan and Claire undertook independent trips to different locations and focusing on different topics, with the intention of combining their findings to produce useful guidance for the industry.

Planter boxes separating a cycle laneViaStrada 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.

Cycling Code of Practice Auckland Transport commissioned ViaStrada to develop the cycling-related content for the region-wide Code of Practice.

transitionThe NZ Transport Agency entrusted ViaStrada with a review of all cycling-related signs and markings in New Zealand to determine whether current legislation and supporting traffic control devices meet the needs of road controlling authorities and road users.