29 January 2019
Withheld under section 7(2)(a)
Withheld under section 7(2)(a)
Dear
Thank you for your requests made under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act 1987 (the Act), received on 10 January 2019. You requested the following information:
•
In response to your request for information about cyclist speed. You have asked for
the light timing to be changed.
•
Council advised that amber length is timed so that any vehicle travelling at the speed
limit would be able to safely complete the intersection before the red turned on. Is this
not correct?
•
Any policies the Council has on the stopping distance and times of heavy vehicles.
I have responded to each of the questions in turn below:
In response to your request for information about cyclist speed. You have asked for the
light timing to be changed.
Council is required to ensure all road users safety. This includes the design and operational
requirements of the traffic signals for all users including pedestrians and cyclists. In order to do
this, we comply with the Nationwide Accepted Standards and Regulations as well as the Industry
Best Practice. I have attached the Standards, Regulations and Best Practice which are applied in
New Zealand by Traffic Signal Practitioners.
In reference to the Victoria intersection, the traffic signal timing for the green, amber/orange and
red phases comply with the national standard. Therefore at this stage, we will not be changing the
timing.
Council will continue to monitor the intersection including cyclist use in relation to the traffic signal
phases. At this stage, we are confident that the intersection on Victoria Street is operating safely
and efficiently for all road users.
Council advised that amber length is timed so that any vehicle travelling at the speed limit
would be able to safely complete the intersection before the red turned on. Is this not
correct?
In reference to Victoria Street intersection:
The traffic signal timing is regulated for the green, amber/orange and all-red phases. To comply
with the national standard, the amber/orange timing phrase is set at 3 seconds to allow enough
time for a vehicle to stop at the stopline and the all-red time is set at 2.5 seconds.
The amber/orange timing allows a vehicle enough time to stop at the stopline following the end of
the green display. The all-red timing is to provide a safe clearance time for vehicles to clear the
intersection before the start of the next phrase.
To help ensure that the traffic signal timing at intersections is safe for cyclists, we refer to Cycling
Aspects of Austroads Guides.
In reference to the guide under Austroads, the existing Victoria Street intersection is categorised
as mixed environments because some part of Victoria Street has an uphill gradient. Therefore the
recommended design operating speed for cyclists is 20km/h.
There is sufficient time to clear the intersection for a cyclist travelling at 20km/h if they have
crossed the stopline at the end of the green phase and the start of the amber/orange phase. It is
not recommended that cyclists should proceed past the stopline on the amber/orange phase.
Council is confident that the traffic signal timing is operating efficiently and safely for all road users
at the Victoria Street intersection.
Any policies the Council has on the stopping distance and times of heavy vehicles.
Wellington City Council does not have any policies on the stopping distance and times of heavy
vehicles. In line with section 17(e) I am refusing this request as the information you have asked for
does not exist.
However, Council is required to comply with the Nationwide Accepted Standards and Regulations.
Right of review
If you disagree with my decision you have the right, under section 27(3) of the Act, to ask the
Ombudsman to review and investigate my decision. Further information is available on the
Ombudsman website, www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Thank you for your request and let me know if you are needing further assistance.
Regards,
Ana Nicholls
Assurance Advisor
Wellington City Council | 2 of 2
