Category: New Zealand Government Public Service

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Hackathon begins the search for new hi-tech road safety ideas

The 48-hour event brings together volunteers with diverse skills, interests and perspectives to solve problems in a competitive, time-pressured environment.

15 teams have formed and have until Sunday afternoon to work up and present their concept to a judging panel.

120 people signed up for the Hackathon on a first-in first served basis, with about 90 more on a waiting list. They include developers, tech experts and people with engineering or transport backgrounds. Some just have a personal motivation for improving road safety.

“We are in for a really exciting time as we engage with everyday transport users who are also really smart thinkers and technology innovators. There is no limit to what they might come up with,” says the Transport Agency’s Safety and Environment Director Harry Wilson.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three concepts, but the Transport Agency reserves the right to work with any of the teams to help them develop their ideas to the next stage.

The teams will retain the intellectual property of their ideas, with the Transport Agency helping to market their work in the interests of road safety. The Transport Agency will be asking the teams to keep its “Safe System” approach front of mind as they build their solutions. The Safe System approach aims for a more forgiving road system that takes human fallibility and vulnerability into account.

“We can help with resources and by introducing them to others in the innovation and technology communities. We may be able to offer financial support to help develop a prototype or take the idea to the next level,” says Mr Wilson.

“We don’t know what we’ll get and we’re open to all ideas, but we’re looking for problem solving with a clear focus on the outcome – preventing crashes and saving lives.”

“The Hackathon’s theme is “Save One More Life”. Last year 379 people died on our roads, and every one of those lives lost is a tragedy. We’re looking for new ways to make our roads safer and improve driver behaviour.”

“It’s about unleashing the potential of technology to reduce the road toll,” says Mr Wilson.

The Hackathon has some heavyweight technology companies offering their support and resources to the teams over the weekend, including Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, Uber and Consegna Cloud.

The Hackathon is based at the Transport Agency’s Innovation Centre at 105 Cook Street in Auckland.

The teams have 10 minutes each on Sunday afternoon to present their concepts to the judges, starting at 1pm.

More information about the Hackathon. 

More info about the safe system here. 

—

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements get underway

The safety improvements include adding roadside safety barriers in high-risk areas to stop vehicles running off the road and a wide centreline to keep vehicles apart. Minor improvements will also be made to some intersections along the route.

NZ Transport Agency Regional System Manager Karen Boyt says the safety improvements will help prevent people being killed or seriously injured in crashes on the route.

“This road is currently the main link between Auckland and Tauranga and Hamilton and Tauranga but too many people are losing their lives on the road,” Ms Boyt says.

“Between January 2005 and December 2014 nine people died and 29 were seriously injured on this stretch of the road. Safety barriers and wide centrelines are relatively easy to install but can be the difference between life and death if someone makes a mistake on the road.”

The short-term safety improvements will be carried out by Splice Construction on behalf of the Transport Agency and are expected to be completed by the end of summer 2019. A map of the planned safety improvements is available at www.nzta.govt.nz/c2p.

The project is part of the government’s $600m Safe Roads and Roadsides programme underway to reduce deaths and seriously injuries on NZ rural state highways

—

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Auckland overnight motorway closures 18 – 24 March 2018

Check daily updated closure information

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Silverdale southbound on ramp, 21 March
• Southbound lanes between Oteha Valley Road off ramp and Upper Harbour Highway on ramp, 18–22 March
• Oteha Valley Road southbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• McClymonts Road southbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Greville Road southbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Northbound lanes between Upper Harbour Highway off ramp and Oteha Valley Road on ramp, 18–22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Upper Harbour Highway northbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Greville Road northbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Shelly Beach Road southbound off ramp, 19 March
• Westhaven Drive slip lane, 19 March

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (SH1 & SH16)

• (SH1) Fanshawe Street southbound off ramp, 19 March (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)
• (SH1) Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off ramp and Hobson Street on ramp, 22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• (SH16) Eastbound lanes between Newton Road off ramp and Grafton Road on ramp, 22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• (SH16) Grafton Road eastbound on ramp, 22 March
• SH1 northbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 22 March
• SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 22 March
• SH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 22 March
• SH16 eastbound to SH1 northbound link, 22 March
• SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 22 March
• SH16 Port westbound to SH1 northbound link, 22 March
• (SH1) Symonds Street southbound on ramp, 18–22 March

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• St Marks Road southbound on ramp, 22 March
• Market Road northbound off ramp, 21 March
• Market Road southbound off ramp, 22 March
• Greenlane northbound off ramp, 18 March
• Greenlane southbound on ramp, 19 March
• Tecoma Street southbound off ramp, 18–22 March
• Tecoma Street southbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Ellerslie-Panmure Highway northbound on ramp, 19 March
• East Tamaki Road northbound off ramp, 22 March (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• East Tamaki Road northbound on ramp, 22 March (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Hill Road northbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Southbound lanes between Takanini off ramp and Papakura on ramp, 18–22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Takanini southbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Northbound lanes between Papakura off ramp and Takanini on ramp, 20–22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Papakura northbound on ramp (loop), 20–22 March
• Papakura northbound on ramp (diamond), 20 – 22 March
• SH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 21 March 

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road roundabout and Lincoln Road on ramp, 21–22 March
• Hobsonville Road southbound on ramp, 21–22 March
• Royal Road southbound on ramp, 21–22 March
• Royal Road northbound off ramp, 18 March
• Rosebank Road eastbound on ramp, 19 March
• Great North Road westbound off ramp, 18 March

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• SH18 westbound to SH16 eastbound link, 21–22 March
• Squadron Drive eastbound on ramp, 19 March
• Squadron Drive westbound off ramp, 18 March
• Tauhinu Road westbound on ramp, 18 March

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• Maioro Street northbound on ramp, 18 March
• Northbound lanes between Dominion Road off ramp and Maioro Street on ramp, 21 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Dominion Road northbound on ramp, 21 March
• Northbound lanes between Hillsborough Road off ramp and Dominion Road on ramp, 22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Hillsborough Road northbound on ramp, 22 March
• Northbound lanes between Neilson Street off ramp and Hillsborough Road on ramp, 19 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Neilson Street northbound on ramp, 19 March
• SH20 northbound to SH20A westbound link, 18–22 March
• SH20 southbound to SH20A westbound link, 18–22 March
• Southbound lanes between Massey Road off ramp and Puhinui Road on ramp, 21 – 22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Massey Road southbound on ramp, 21–22 March

GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

• Kirkbride Road northbound off ramp, 18–22 March
• Kirkbride Road northbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Kirkbride Road southbound off ramp, 18–22 March
• Kirkbride Road southbound on ramp, 18–22 March
• Northbound lanes between Landing Drive/Verissimo Drive and SH20 18–22 March (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Southbound lanes between SH20 and Landing Drive/Verissimo Drive, 18–22 March

Please follow the signposted detours. The Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

For updates on state highway conditions and hazards visit: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Auckland roads and public transport: www.at.govt.nz

—

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Preferred option for SH3 Manawatū Gorge replacement announced

The preferred option selected is Option 3 of the four shortlisted options, which runs from near the Te Apiti carpark western entry of the closed Manawatū Gorge, cross the Ruahine Ranges north of the Gorge, before emerging at Woodville.

NZ Transport Agency Director Regional Relationships Emma Speight says after a thorough investigation and extensive consultation, Option 3 emerged as the safest and most resilient route that best balances the combined needs of the communities, businesses and road users who will utilise it.

“Everybody understands just how important a replacement for the Gorge is. It will re-establish a key strategic transport and freight link that supports the needs of the people and economies of Central New Zealand.” Ms Speight says.

“Alongside this, the Transport Agency has committed to advancing investigations for a Regional Freight Ring Road, including a second road bridge across the Manawatū River, which stakeholders across the region see as a critical package to unlocking regional economic development opportunities.”

The Detailed Business Case process will begin immediately, covering a ten year programme of work, targeted for completion at the same time of the replacement route for the Manawatū Gorge. 

Horizons Regional Council Chairman Bruce Gordon says that progressing a Regional Freight Ring Road in parallel with the Manawatū Gorge replacement route would be a significant step forward for the region.

“It would connect key freight hubs and bring significant improvements to freight and passenger vehicle movements through the Central North Island hub of Manawatū, improving travel times and lowering costs. This better positions the region to attract investment in logistics, manufacturing and processing, which is critical for the region’s future growth and prosperity,” Mr Gordon says. 

The inclusion of a second bridge over the Manawatū River would assist in building the region’s resilience, provide a safer and more effective connection between some of the region’s key industrial areas, and remove heavy trucks from Palmerston North’s city centre.

Palmerston North City Council Mayor Grant Smith says engagement with regional stakeholders to reach a solution that achieves wider strategic objectives for both the region and the country as a whole was important.

“It is important for unlocking future regional economic development that the new State Highway 3 link offers connectivity and alignment to a proposed Regional Freight Ring Road and a new bridge. We are pleased this package of work achieves this,” Mr Smith says.

“It is a great example of central and local government collaboration to optimise public investment in infrastructure for the long term, and reflects the impact of the new Government Policy Statement on Transport, which requires regional economic development considerations to be taken into account.”

Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis says that this outcome has strong support from a range of local authorities and industry representatives.

“The ongoing instability of the Gorge, which ultimately led to its closure in April 2017, has caused huge disruption for the region. The replacement route has been a matter of priority for the local councils and mayors and its pleasing to have worked so constructively with the Transport Agency to reach a decision that addresses both the immediate issue and the longer term strategic issues for the Tararua District and the wider region,” Ms Collis says.

A detailed business case on the new SH3 route will be finalised over the next few weeks. The project team will then seek resource consents with construction planned to begin in 2020, with the new road completed by 2024.

Download the preferred option for SH3 Manawatū Gorge

Option 3 will have an average incline gradient of 5.8%, with a maximum of 8% (in comparison, the current main alternative route, the Saddle Road, has a maximum gradient of 16%). 

Travel time is estimated to be 13 minutes for general traffic (compared to an average 16.7 minutes that it took to travel the Manawatū Gorge).

For more information visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/sh3-manawatu-gorge

—

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: People advised to expect delays around State Highway 30a Amohau Street

The roads around the Trade Central area are expected to be congested and people should expect delays.

There will be no parking along SH30A Amohau Street however there is additional parking on Pererika Street. Pedestrians are advised to cross at the traffic signals

People can stay up to date by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or they can check for state highway closures on the website:

www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/

We are also on Twitter and Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/NZTAWaiBop/
• www.twitter.com/nztawaibop

—

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH1 Desert Road closure re-scheduled for March 26

The road will be closed to enable the concrete deck to be poured on the Waihohonu Stream Bridge. The bridge was damaged in a crash last year.

NZTA Waikato Transport Systems Manager, Karen Boyt, says the closure of the Desert Road was postponed after a problem with the scaffolding was spotted during the final health and safety check.

“We understand the closure of the Desert Road has a major impact on people and business and we’d like to apologise again for the delay and the uncertainty this has caused.

“However we take the safety of our workers and the public very seriously and we need to ensure the site is safe so the work can proceed.”

Earlier dates have been postponed because of bad weather. Pouring concrete in wet weather can have environmental and safety impacts.

Another similar 36-hour closure is scheduled for mid to late April, this will also be weather permitting.

Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around 5 minutes. There is a 30km/h limit in place.

The alternative route is State Highways 46, 47, 4, and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 46 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted.

There are also multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Road during this period and  delays are possible at other sites.

High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.

Vehicles with over-weight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3.0 metres are unable to use the Desert Road section of SH1 until the bridge repairs are complete in April.

The closure dates are subject to fine weather. Updates will be posted at the sites below.

People can check all current road closures here:

http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/

We are also on Twitter and Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/nztacni/
• www.twitter.com/nztacni

—

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH1 Desert Road closure on hold, new date pending

The road will be closed to enable the concrete deck to be poured on the Waihohonu Stream Bridge. The bridge was damaged in a crash last year.

NZTA Waikato Transport Systems Manager, Karen Boyt, says the closure of the desert Road has now been postponed after a problem with the scaffolding was spotted during the final health and safety check.

“We understand the closure of the Desert Road has a major impact on people and business and we’d like to apologise in advance for the delay and the uncertainty this has caused.

“However we take the safety of our workers and the public very seriously and we need to ensure the site is safe so the work can proceed.

“People should continue to check our website or call us before they leave for their journey so they’re aware of what’s ahead of them,” Ms Boyt says.

The contractor is working as swiftly as possible to ensure the scaffolding is fully compliant with health and safety regulations.

Earlier dates have been postponed because of bad weather. Pouring concrete in wet weather can have environmental and safety impacts.

Another similar 36-hour closure is scheduled for mid to late April, this will also be weather permitting.

Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around 5 minutes. There is a 30km/h limit in place.

The alternative route is State Highways 46, 47, 4, and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 46 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted.

There are also multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Road during this period and  delays are possible at other sites.

High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.

Vehicles with over-weight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3.0 metres are unable to use the Desert Road section of SH1 until the bridge repairs are complete in April.

The closure dates are subject to fine weather. Updates will be posted at the sites below.

People can check all current road closures here:

http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/

We are also on Twitter and Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/nztacni/
• www.twitter.com/nztacni

—