Speed management

Safer Speeds are a key plank of New Zealand's road safety strategy. Reduced speeds (through lower speed limits, traffic calming, and other speed management initiatives) have been demonstrated here and internationally to reduce both the likelihood and severity of traffic crashes.

ViaStrada has championed greater use of speed management within New Zealand for over a decade. Our efforts in this area include:

• Advising road controlling authorities on the development of speed management strategies and speed limit setting procedures
• Undertaking research into speed-related initiatives in New Zealand and overseas
• Developing scheme designs for traffic calming and other speed management treatments
• Delivering various papers and presentations on speed to various industry conferences
• Representing the Transportation Group NZ on the Safer Speeds reference group for the 2020 NZ Road Safety Strategy
• Providing technical comment to media when asked about speed related issues
• Making representations to Christchurch City Council regarding local speed management proposals

Some relevant projects that ViaStrada has undertaken for clients include:

• Assessed the economic benefits of the Nelson/Tasman speed management plan (Tasman DC, 2024)
• Facilitated local authority workshops for the development of regional speed mngmt plans (Waka Kotahi, 2022)
• Development of a district-wide speed management plan for Taupō (Taupō DC, 2021-22)
• Provided advice and guidance to Invercargill during their speed management plan development (Invercargill CC, 2021-22)
• Implementation of lower speeds in Dunedin South and school speed zones (Dunedin CC, 2018-20)
• Safety reviews of Christchurch central city 30km/h zone (Christchurch CC, 2019-22)
• Review of Wellington Safer Speed proposals for "Lets Get Wellington Moving" package (NZTA, 2019-21)
• Safety review of Hastings rural road speed limit changes (Hastings DC, 2019-20)
• Canterbury Regional Speed Management Plan development (Environment Canterbury and NZTA, 2018-20)
• Independent review of Mission Bay & St Heliers speed management proposals (Akld Trpt 2019)
• Safety review of Mt Maunganui 30km/h area (Tauranga CC, 2018-19)
• Peer reviewed NZTA research into Public Acceptance of Safer Speeds (NZTA, 2014)
• Investigation into a potential central city slow core for Christchurch (Christchurch CC, 2010-11)

With our partners Urban Connection, ViaStrada have been part of the NZTA national speed management panel for implementation of the Safer Speeds programme on State Highways (2020-21).

Our staff have also authored several industry papers, presentations, and reports on this topic (many receiving awards), and media articles, including:

• "How do we sell the benefits of speed management?" (2023 Aust Road Safety Conf)
• "The benefits of speed management" (2021 industry webinar)
• "Does speed greatly affect travel time?" (2020 Trptn Group Conf)
• "The mechanics and politics of changing a speed limit" (2019 Trptn Group Conf)
• "Has the Christchurch Central City 30km/h zone worked?" (2018 Transport Knowledge Conference)
• "Developing and implementing local speed management plans" (2018 Trafinz Conf)
• "To reduce road fatalities, lower speeds have to be part of the solution" (Greater Auckland, Jan 2018)
• "Changing Rural Speed Limits - Learning from the Past" (2017 IPENZ Trptn Conf)
• "Making the case for lower speeds: tackling the concerns" (2016 Trafinz Conf)
• "Critics of lower speeds miss the point" (The Press, Oct 2015)
• "Christchurch's 50kmh speed limit too high, expert claims" (The Press, Oct 2015)
• "Effect of on-street parking on traffic speeds" (2015 IPENZ Trptn Conf)
• "Investigating Speed Patterns and Estimating Speed on Traffic-Calmed Streets" (2011 IPENZ Trptn Conf)
• "Implementing Lower Speeds in New Zealand" (2011 IPENZ Trptn Conf)
• "The Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Pinch-Points" (2011 IPENZ Trptn Conf)
• Research Report 226: "Curve advisory speeds in New Zealand" (Transfund NZ, 2002)

As well as technical advice regarding speed management strategies and treatments for road controlling authorities (including analysis of Waka Kotahi MegaMaps data), ViaStrada can also assist with engagement and communications for the general public, elected members, media and other stakeholders. For further information and advice regarding speed management, contact Glen Koorey; our consultants are available throughout New Zealand. More information can also be found in the PDF brochure below.