Pursuant to subclause 3.4(1) of Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 ("the Rule") and a delegation from the
NZ Transport Agency, I, Glenn Bunting, Network Manager, hereby authorise the installation and maintenance of alternative signs for variable speed limits at rural schools:
(a) for the purpose described in Schedule 1;
(b) in the form and layout set out in Schedule 2;
(c) at the locations stated in Schedule 3;
(d) for the period specified in Schedule 4; and
(e) subject to the terms and conditions detailed in Schedule 5.
The alternative signs shall be used for the purpose of evaluating their use and the trial shall be called the "Rural schools variable speed limit (turning vehicle hazard) trial".
Schedule 1-Purpose of Trial
The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of:
(a) variable speed limit signs to manage the side-impact crash risk at rural schools where there is a concentration of vehicles making turning manoeuvres before and after school;
(b) supplementary "School" warning signs below variable speed limit signs, as an alternative to signs specified in Schedule 1 of the Rule, to explain the reason for a reduced speed limit; and
(c) fixed signs, installed on minor roads intersecting with the variable speed limit, specifying the times of operation of the variable speed limit, as an alternative to signs specified in Schedule 1 of the Rule.
Schedule 2-Form and Layout of Signs
The signs must be as specified in the following descriptions:
Variable speed limit (rural schools turning vehicle hazard) sign
The speed limit is the number of km/h shown on the sign at a rural school where there is a turning vehicle hazard.
Shape and Size: R1-2.1 variable speed limit sign above a W16-5.1 "School" supplementary sign
IMAGE OF SIGN HERE
Variable speed limit - fixed (rural schools turning vehicle hazard) sign
The speed limit is the number of km/h shown on the sign during the time specified. Must only be used on minor side roads intersecting with a variable speed limit on a main road at a rural school where there is a turning vehicle hazard.
Shape and Size: Rectangle 860 x 1200 above a W16-5.1 "School" supplementary sign
Background: White (R)
Border: Red (R) 30mm
Legend: Description Colour Size
R1-1 sign above for example As for R1-1 sign As for R1-1 sign
"8:25 - 9 AM" Black 80/12.4
"2:55 - 3:15 PM" Black 80/12.4
"SCHOOL DAYS" Black 80/12.4
IMAGE OF SIGN HERE
Schedule 3-Locations for Trial
The locations approved for this trial are as follows:
Road Controlling Authority School Road Local Authority
Invercargill City Council Myross Bush School Mill Road Invercargill City
Matamata-Piako District Council Elstow-Waihou Combined School Bowlers Road Matamata-Piako District
NZ Transport Agency Amisfield School State Highway 1 South Waikato District
NZ Transport Agency Dairy Flat School State Highway 17 Auckland City
NZ Transport Agency Kaihere School State Highway 27 Hauraki District
NZ Transport Agency Kai Iwi School State Highway 3 Wanganui District
NZ Transport Agency Kaimai School State Highway 29 Western Bay of Plenty District
NZ Transport Agency Newstead School State Highway 26 Waikato District
NZ Transport Agency Opiki School State Highway 56 Horowhenua District
NZ Transport Agency Opoutere School State Highway 25 Thames-Coromandel District
NZ Transport Agency Paki Paki School State Highway 50A Hastings District
NZ Transport Agency Pyes Pa Road School State Highway 36 Western Bay of Plenty District
NZ Transport Agency Te Uku School State Highway 23 Waikato District
NZ Transport Agency Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha State Highway 27 Matamata-Piako District
NZ Transport Agency Tirohia School State Highway 26 Hauraki District
Waimakariri District Council Loburn School Hodgsons Road Waimakariri District
Waimakariri District Council Swannanoa School Tram Road Waimakariri District
Wanganui District Council Westmere School Francis Road Wanganui District
Schedule 4-Period of Trial
The trial may begin on 1 June 2012 and, unless terminated earlier, must end by 31 May 2014.
Schedule 5-Conditions
Speed Limit
The variable speed limit at a location listed in Schedule 3 must be set in accordance with Land Transport Rule: Setting
of Speed Limits 2003 and the "Variable Speed Limit at Rural Schools (Turning Vehicle Hazard)" notice published in the
New Zealand Gazette, 17 May 2012, No. 55, page 1605.
Signs
(a) Signs described in this notice must be installed on every approach to a variable speed limit at a school listed in Schedule 3 as follows:
(i) At least one "Variable speed limit (rural schools turning vehicle hazard)" sign on each approach to the variable speed limit on the main road outside the school and on each approach on a major side road that intersects with
the road controlled with a variable speed limit; and
(ii) at least one "Variable speed limit - fixed (rural schools turning vehicle hazard)" sign on each approach on
a minor side road that intersects with the road controlled with a variable speed limit.
(b) R1-1, R1-1.1 or R1-3 signs that comply with Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 must be installed at the end of the variable speed limit on every road that leaves the variable speed limit.
Evaluation
An evaluation and analysis shall be undertaken as outlined in the trial application document received from the NZ Transport Agency Highways and Network Operations Group, dated the 21st day of October 2011.
An interim evaluation report must be sent to me after six months of operation and a final report by 30 June 2014.
Signed at Wellington this 14th day of May 2012.
GLENN BUNTING, Network Manager.