Transport planning and policy

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

Part 1 of the research was a review and assessment of technology (e.g. motor controllers, throttles vs. torque activation, lighting and braking), market characteristics, sales projections, and safety studies. Part 2 included workshops with industry and other key stakeholders to inform an assessment of potential regulatory and non-regulatory options.

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. The paths have since progressively been built, and the bridge opened in June 2019.

ViaStrada has been engaged to assess the recommendations of the previous studies and identify any additional locations where it may be possible to create passing opportunities in the top of the South Island without significant capital expense.

ViaStrada was commissioned by Dunedin City Council and NZTA to develop a cycling network for South Dunedin and the central city.

ViaStrada was engaged by Hastings District Council to develop a concise walking and cycling strategy, a list of projects with rough order costs, project prioritisation system and package-level economic evaluation.

Reduced traffic speeds have been shown to improve central city liveability and street activity levels. This 2011 ViaStrada project suggested the boundaries, specific techniques, design concepts, and implementation steps needed to create a pedestrian-friendly "slow core" for Christchurch. A new 30km/h slow core has now been implemented in 2016, largely mirroring the area suggested by ViaStrada.

This study focused on enhancing the walkability of the Greymouth Town Centre.  The comprehensive final report covered high level strategic planning through to detailed recommendations for site specific design investigations.

ViaStrada assisted CCC in reviewing options for rapid public transport services to various Christchurch suburbs and provided advice on central city PT modes, routes and station locations.

ViaStrada was commissioned by Auckland Transport to conduct a crash analysis of pedestrian and cyclist crashes for the five years prior and three years post improvements at schools across the Auckland region.

Christchurch City Council (CCC) as part of the Christchurch Transport Plan (CTP) process commissioned ViaStrada to develop a GIS based cycle network. The development focus was on creating a contiguous level 1 (novice riders) and level 2 route (basic traffic skills) network. This was to align with the Christchurch Transport Plan (CTP).