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Two Warkworth roads have been chosen for a national pilot of an electronic flooding alert system.
Auckland Transport (AT) will install electronic signage and related infrastructure on Kaipara Flats Road and Falls Road around the middle of this month.
The system is designed to relay warning messages when waters rise. Initially, the messages will be sent via SMS and email to anyone who has entered into the system.
Once the final level is triggered, which will be set at 150ml over the road level, the signs will activate with “road closed, divert via” messaging.
Project manager Karin Turnage says as further technical complexities are resolved, the intent will be to reach as many people as possible, before they arrive to the area.
“If people can be informed that waters are rising or roads are flooded, safer decisions can be made prior to travelling, either by not travelling altogether or by using alternative routes,” Turnage says.
A sign will be placed close to 945 Kaipara Flats Road, so that people can continue to Old Woodcocks Road if Kaipara Flats Road is closed. Another sign will be placed around 6 Kaipara Flats Road, so that people have the option of carrying on along SH1 instead of entering Kaipara Flats Road, if there is flooding.
“This road can flood in about eight places depending upon the severity of the weather event, which is why the road is closed at either end. The road gets very dark, there are limited road and locations signs, no petrol stations, limited places to turn around and often cellular cover is lost during these weather events so it can get very difficult and unsafe,” she says.
In Falls Road, a sign will be placed around 326 Falls Road so users don’t turn into Falls Road, but continue down Woodcocks Road. Another sign will also be placed around 24 Mansel Drive so that users can continue along Mansel Drive.
Turnage says it is understood Google Maps directs many into Falls Road as it is the shortest route, saving users about one-kilometre on their trip.
“Many people use this road who aren’t from the local area so the signs are aiming to stop people driving through the ford in unsafe conditions.”
Turnage says that as a pilot programme, everything may not work perfectly from the start.
“But we can amend and evolve as we learn, and AT is keen to get feedback from
road users,” she adds.
Information is sought on whether the signage is installed in the best locations, if the wording is helpful, if the trigger levels provide sufficient time and warnings, and whether the system is impacting road user behaviour, adding value, and any other lessons to improve the alerts for these pilot sites, and for other sites where they may be used in future.
If anyone would like to receive the notifications or is keen to provide feedback, email Karin.Turnage@at.govt.nz.
