Wellington SH1/SH2 road works

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#1215661 15-Jan-2015 20:48

KiwiNZ:
A big chunk of the urban motorway is already enclosed Armco so I am not sure why they are using concrete. I am pleased they are not going to use that biker lethal wire barriers.

but when was that all built?

i cant think of any new sections in Auckland where both sides are right next to one another where arm-co is used

there are a few bits on the south western along with the cheese greater bits that motocyclists love but they have to be about 10m+ from where the road ends and the barrier starts, and there is a section of grass in between

1eStar

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#1215695 15-Jan-2015 21:56

Armco Barrier is only TL3 (test level three). Latest requirements are TL4 or TL5 on motorways depending on whether there's curves or straights etc. Believe it or not there is some science behind roadworks.

D1023319

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#1215696 15-Jan-2015 21:58

floydbloke:
D1023319:
I just dont see the point of the four lanes.

I guess it will mean less congestion for those (including myself) going up the gorge.

I am sure it will help esp when outer lanes to petone are full.
I just hope there will be enough of a shoulder that motorists have a place to pull over onto in case of mechanical / tyre failure.

My point is it is tinkering for minor improvements. My preference would be to widen the motorway and complete the extensions

k1wi

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#1215752 16-Jan-2015 03:28

One of the reasons I saw for the replacement median barrier was that the new design would reduce the amount of space required for the median barrier. Thus providing more lane space within the same corridor/requiring less additional land to be acquired.

Dratsab

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#1215832 16-Jan-2015 08:53

I was about to post the same as k1wi. I don't see anything in the NZTA which helps explain why they're calling it a smart motorway though.

Geektastic

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#1215886 16-Jan-2015 10:12

Dratsab: I was about to post the same as k1wi. I don't see anything in the NZTA which helps explain why they're calling it a smart motorway though.

Because a branding consultant was paid many thousands to come up with a new phrase? ;-)

MikeB4

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#1215887 16-Jan-2015 10:14

Dratsab: I was about to post the same as k1wi. I don't see anything in the NZTA which helps explain why they're calling it a smart motorway though.

Maybe the Matrix signs can get Facebook and Youtube :P

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k1wi

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#1216403 17-Jan-2015 03:48

The smart motorway concept comes from Europe, particularly Britain (but under different guises on the continent). It's basically another name for Active Transport Management. The term smart road can also refer to a somewhat different implementation though.

The basic premise of a smart motorway is that they greatly increase the level of road monitoring and active signage to manage the highway in a dynamic and real time manner. It's suppose to increase road capacity (when hard shoulders are employed) and safety. I remember reading of one implementation in Germany where the number of rear endings on one managed road dropped to zero following its implementation, as it automatically senses a tail forming and slows approaching traffic. Of course for that to work in Wellington, drivers would actually have to follow the speed limits of the overhead signs...

As I understand it, the existing system is something of a half-ass attempt at ATM, as there aren't enough gantries and variable signs. I don't believe they have automatic speed detectors either (other than ones they installed during the previous phase to measure improvements in traffic times) so it's all based on their cameras. The signs are suppose to be much closer together, in the vicinity of every 400-800m IIRC. When they are as spaced out as the current ones drivers tend to ignore them as the traffic conditions change a k down the road. (Case in point northbound after the final variable speed sign before the split - which applies through the pinch all the way to the next one at the bottom of the gorge).

ScuL

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#1216404 17-Jan-2015 04:54

The smart motorway concept can entail various things in the UK:

1) It can refer to variable speed limits

Where the speed limit changes on the conditions, congestion, fog, rain, etc.

2) It can refer to active lane management

In this case the hard shoulder can be opened for traffic when it is required due to the amount of traffic (congestion)

They can also be used to close off lanes (you can never drive in a lane that shows a red X)

3) There can also be an Average Speed Check based on the SPECS system

The b*tards above .. they will record your speed across vast trajectories (sometimes more than 20 miles/30km) and if your average speed is higher than the speed limit you get done
They are mostly used in work zones with 50mph/80kmh limits

More information:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/smart-motorways.html
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-motorways

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

sbiddle

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#1216418 17-Jan-2015 08:33

I find it strange that NZTA are constantly referring to the upgrade as offering "NZ's first smart motorway", when that's exactly what we've had for ~5 years since they spent millions installing traffic speed sensors between the Terrace Tunnel and Petone and variable speed signs. This upgrade is going to offer nothing new except remove the shoulder and turn it into a lane.

The problem they're still going to face is that absolutely nobody pays any attention to the existing variable speed signs that are there now. I don't see that changing after the upgrade.

With the new network of speed cameras in Wellington and there careful positioning I suspect it's also not going to be long before they decide to enable average speed check either - with cameras on SH1 at Thorndon, SH2 Ngauranga and SH2 Petone they've got the ability to do that with the cameras supporting this, and already doing NPR.

timmmay

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#1216419 17-Jan-2015 08:35

I figure electronic signs are guides and speed cameras won't be reset to that speed. The volume is such that police can't stop even 0.01% of people who ignore them.

sbiddle

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#1216420 17-Jan-2015 08:39

timmmay: I figure electronic signs are guides and speed cameras won't be reset to that speed. The volume is such that police can't stop even 0.01% of people who ignore them.

Electronic signs are not, and never have been guides. They are legally enforced speed limits.

The speed cameras and electronic signs are all part of the same traffic management system, the speed cameras can be integrated and account for variable speed limits. The old camera's couldn't be.

ScuL

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#1216422 17-Jan-2015 08:58

sbiddle: I find it strange that NZTA are constantly referring to the upgrade as offering "NZ's first smart motorway", when that's exactly what we've had for ~5 years since they spent millions installing traffic speed sensors between the Terrace Tunnel and Petone and variable speed signs. This upgrade is going to offer nothing new except remove the shoulder and turn it into a lane.

The problem they're still going to face is that absolutely nobody pays any attention to the existing variable speed signs that are there now. I don't see that changing after the upgrade.

It's probably because this is the first stretch where they're using the hard shoulder + active lane management that they use this definition
If they wanted to enforce motorists sticking to what's on the signs they could add cameras that monitor lane usage and send instant fines in case someone uses the hard shoulder when it's not allowed. Pretty confident most drivers would then refrain from flaunting the law

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

timmmay

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#1216452 17-Jan-2015 11:04

sbiddle:
timmmay: I figure electronic signs are guides and speed cameras won't be reset to that speed. The volume is such that police can't stop even 0.01% of people who ignore them.

Electronic signs are not, and never have been guides. They are legally enforced speed limits.

The speed cameras and electronic signs are all part of the same traffic management system, the speed cameras can be integrated and account for variable speed limits. The old camera's couldn't be.

I was mostly kidding ;)

JamesL

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#1216491 17-Jan-2015 12:56

Can't see this making any difference other than speeding up traffic to various choke points

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