The NZ Transport Agency has opened an interactive information centre in the Johnsonville Shopping Centre to explain how New Zealand’s first smart motorway will help to smooth out traffic flow.
Wellington’s smart motorway is being built between Johnsonville and the Terrace Tunnel. When operationaly in 2016, it will make travel times more predictable during peak times and free up nearby roads for public transport says the NZ Transport Agency.
It will also provide an extra northbound lane between Aotea Quay and Ngauranga, which will be incorporated into the existing motorway ‘footprint’.
Wellington’s Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the centre located in the Johnsonville Shopping Centre provides inter-active learning about how the smart motorway, which is being built between the Terrace Tunnel and Johnsonville, will work.
The smart motorway will reduce congestion by controlling the flow of vehicles through the use of technology and improved network operation. times.
“Our Smart Capital’s transport system is explained in an engaging way and provides Wellingtonians with information about our local transport history,” says Wade-Brown.
“It’s refreshing to see technology being used to help make better use of an existing motorway and create significant flow-on benefits for public transport and movement of freight,” she says.
NZTA central regional director, Raewyn Bleakley, says the information site explains a range of transport topics, and how the smart motorway fits into the region’s transport picture.
“Being a New Zealand first, it’s important we help people learn about the smart motorway; what it is and the role drivers have to ensure we all enjoy its benefits,” says Bleakley.
“One of the highlights is a short video we’ve created which explains the core concept of the smart motorway – how smoothing the flow of traffic gets more vehicles through. People then get to practice the concept for themselves on a one-of-a-kind, custom-built rice wheel”.
Bleakley says the smart motorway is part of a package of transport investment that, in partnership with local government, will transform how people and goods get around the Wellington region.
This includes the Wellington Northern Corridor, the Petone to Grenada project, upgrades to the Johnsonville transport network in partnership with Wellington City Council, a proposed shared pathway between Wellington and Hutt Valley, and co-investment with Greater Wellington Regional Council on a wide range of public transport improvements.
