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Auckland Transport is working through technical aspects of the proposed trial of Dynamic Lanes on Whangaparaoa Rd and a “communications plan for stakeholders, residents and businesses, incorporating an education element” has been drafted, but the local board says concerns already raised have gone unanswered.
The plan to trial a lane control system on Whangaparaoa Rd, between Red Beach and the highway was first made public eight months ago. The system uses lights embedded in the road surface and gantries to mark lanes, so an extra, temporary lane can be created at peak times in the direction of peak traffic flow.
Although similar systems are used on the Auckland Harbour bridge, local board chair Julia Parfitt describes the technology as “relatively unproven” because of specific issues including the fact that it is a residential road. She says that board members’ concerns, and those of many residents, have not been addressed. These include potential increased speeds and the lack of a flush median, which will make it difficult to access properties.
Mrs Parfitt says that many residents of Whangaparaoa Rd who are directly affected have still not been consulted.
An AT report to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board last December says that a driver behaviour survey was completed early last year, which tested understanding of the proposed layout and canvassed views.
The local board has not seen the survey, any information from consultation carried out so far, or design specifics.
AT spokesperson Mark Hannan says that AT will keep the local board informed. He says work recently completed on the road is not directly related to the project.
There is still no firm date for delivery of the trial. “Auckland Transport is continuing to refine its design for Dynamic Lanes and the decision to proceed will only be made following a review by its senior management,” Mr Hannan says.
