NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is seeking public feedback on seven proposed Intersection Speed Zones at state highway intersections across Waikato and Bay of Plenty, following community safety concerns about high-speed rural turning movements.
The zones use electronic variable speed limit signs that detect approaching traffic intending to turn into or out of side roads, temporarily reducing the legal speed limit on the main road to create safer conditions for turning manoeuvres.
Andrew Corkill, NZTA Director Regional Relationships for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, says the proposal responds directly to community concerns about intersection safety.
“People have said they feel unsafe when they are turning into, or crossing, busy state highways, particularly where high-speed traffic meets side roads,” Corkill says.
“By reducing the speed of oncoming traffic through high-risk intersections we can give everyone more time to react, which reduces the chances of crashes occurring, and reduces the severity of any crashes which do occur.”
Seven locations proposed
The proposed Intersection Speed Zones would be installed at SH5 SH28 (Whites Road) in the Putāruru region, SH39 Tuhikaramea Road in West Waikato, SH27 Kereone Road/Diagonal Road in the Waharoa region, SH29 Taotaoroa Road Totman Road at Karapiro, SH5/30/Waipa State Mill Road in Rotorua, SH30/34/Greive Road in the Te Teko area, and SH33 Maniatutu Road in the Lake Rotoiti, Ōkere Falls area.
Under the proposal, speeds would drop from 100km/h to 60km/h on the approaches to intersections when triggered by traffic approaching from or turning into adjoining side roads. The reduced speed limits would remain active while turning or crossing manoeuvres are in progress, then reset to the standard speed limit once completed.
NZTA is also consulting on a separate proposal to reduce the speed limit on an 830-metre stretch of SH33 between Ōkere Falls and Mourea from 100km/h to 80km/h. Additional consultations cover speed limits of 50km/h for on and off ramps at the new Wairākei Interchange (Pāpāmoa East) and the Rangiuru Interchange on the Tauranga Eastern Link.
The consultation is open for submissions, with further information available on NZTA’s website under speed reviews.
