Pursuant to subclause 3.4(1) of Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 (“Rule”) and a delegation from the NZ Transport Agency, I, Glenn Bunting, Manager Network Safety, authorise the installation, maintenance and operation of two-aspect cycle signals:
- for the purpose described in Schedule 1;
- in the form and layout and complying with the operating requirements set out in Schedule 2;
- at the locations stated in Schedule 3;
- for the period specified in Schedule 4; and
- subject to the evaluation outlined in Schedule 5.
The two-aspect cycle signals may be installed for the purpose of evaluating their use and the trial will be called the “two-aspect cycle signal trial”.
For the purposes of the trial, the red and green two-aspect cycle signals and the red and green signal aspects with combined pedestrian and cycle symbols described in Schedule 2 of this notice are equivalent to the red and green cycle or pedestrian signal aspects in Section 6 and Schedule 3 of the Rule.
Schedule 1—Purpose of trial
The purpose of the trial is to:
- enable the installation and operation of two-aspect cycle signals as an alternative to three-aspect cycle signals described in 6.4(12)(c) of the Rule;
- enable the installation and operation of two-aspect signals that combine a pedestrian and cycle symbol in the same signal aspect, as an alternative to the requirements for traffic signal aspects in 6.3(1)(a) and Schedule 3 of the Rule;
- evaluate the safety and effectiveness of two-aspect cycle signals and signal aspects with combined pedestrian and cycle symbols for shared path crossings;
- assess pedestrians’ and cyclists’ understanding of and compliance with two-aspect cycle signals and signal aspects with combined pedestrian and cycle symbols;
- assess the behaviour and response of cyclists approaching two-aspect signals compared with their behaviour and response approaching three-aspect signals;
- investigate whether separate call buttons for pedestrians and cyclists are preferable or if a single call button provides an adequate level of service;
- investigate whether the signal phasing should be the same for pedestrians and cyclists or whether it should be independent;
- assess the need for a system to automatically detect the presence of pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross or to detect when they have cleared the crossing and to adjust the signal phasing accordingly;
- determine if a blank display (as described in Schedule 2(g)(iv) of this notice) is appropriate for two-aspect cycle signals or if a steady red signal should remain illuminated during periods when the green phase has not been called; and
- evaluate the safety and efficiency of a shared pedestrian and cycle “Barnes Dance” phase at an intersection when all roadway approaches to the intersection are controlled by red signals.
Schedule 2—Form, layout and operation of two-aspect cycle signals
- All cycle and pedestrian symbols used in traffic signal aspects for the purposes of this trial must conform with the shape and size of the symbols in diagrams S2-3, S3-1 and S3-2 in Schedule 3 of the Rule, except as specified in Schedule 2(e) of this notice;
- Two-aspect cycle signals must comprise a red cycle signal above a green cycle signal;
- Signal aspects with combined pedestrian and cycle symbols must comprise:
- a red standing pedestrian symbol above a red cycle symbol in one signal aspect, installed above;
- a green walking pedestrian symbol above a green cycle symbol in one signal aspect;
- The signal aspects for combined pedestrian and cycle symbols must be 300mm diameter;
- The pedestrian and cycle symbols for combined signal aspects may be reduced in size to fit both images in a single 300mm diameter signal aspect;
- A countdown timer complying with 6.6(3A), 6.6(3B) and diagram S3-3 in Schedule 3 of the Rule may be incorporated in the green aspect of the combined pedestrian and cycle signals or may be displayed as a separate signal aspect;
- The sequence of operation of two-aspect cycle signals and combined pedestrian and cycle signals must be:
- A steady green cycle signal or steady green combined walking pedestrian and cycle signal, followed by;
- a flashing red cycle signal or flashing red combined standing pedestrian and cycle signal, followed by;
- the sequence beginning in (g)(i) or a steady red cycle signal or steady red combined standing pedestrian and cycle signal, followed by;
- the sequence beginning in (g)(i) or a blank display, followed by;
- the sequence beginning in (g)(i) or a steady red cycle signal or steady red combined standing pedestrian and cycle signal, followed by the sequence beginning in (g)(i); and
- Call buttons for the pedestrian or cycle crossing phase may call individual phases or call a pedestrian and cycle crossing phase simultaneously;
Example: steady red combined
standing pedestrian and cycle signal
Example: steady green combined
walking pedestrian and cycle signal
Schedule 3—Location
The following locations are approved for this trial:
Road Controlling Authority
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Location
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Signal or crossing detail
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Auckland Transport
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Quay Street and Lower Hobson Street intersection
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Two-aspect cycle signals
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Auckland Transport
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Stanley Street and Alten Road intersection
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Two-aspect cycle signals
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Christchurch City Council
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Armagh Street at Oxford Terrace
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects at mid-block crossing
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Christchurch City Council
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Barrington Street at Strauss Place
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects at mid-block crossing
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Christchurch City Council
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Colombo Street at Oxford Terrace
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects at mid-block crossing
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Christchurch City Council
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Garlands Road (SH74A) at Cumnor Terrace
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects at mid-block crossing
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Christchurch City Council
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Hansons Lane and Suva Street intersection
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects with shared pedestrian and cycle Barnes Dance phase
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Christchurch City Council
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Sparks Road near Pablo Place
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects at mid-block crossing
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Christchurch City Council
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Strickland Street at Roker Street
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Combined pedestrian and cycle signal aspects at mid-block crossing
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NZ Transport Agency
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SH1 (Arthur Street and Buckle Street) and Taranaki Street intersection, Wellington
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Two-aspect cycle signals
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NZ Transport Agency
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SH1 (Rugby Street ) and Adelaide Road intersection, Wellington
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Two-aspect cycle signals
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Schedule 4—Period of trial
The trial may begin after 31 March 2018 and, unless terminated earlier, must end by 31 March 2020.
Schedule 5—Evaluation
An evaluation must be undertaken and a report produced with analysis, conclusions and recommendations for future application of two-aspect cycle signals. The report must include assessment of:
- pedestrians’ and cyclists’ recognition and understanding of and compliance with two-aspect cycle signals, combined pedestrian and cycle signal displays and a shared pedestrian and cycle Barnes Dance crossing phase;
- the behaviour and response of cyclists approaching two-aspect signals compared to three-aspect signals, especially with respect to the flashing red cycle signal compared to a yellow cycle signal displayed for a minimum of three seconds;
- whether separate call buttons for cycle and pedestrian signal phases are necessary or whether a single button to call both phases simultaneously is satisfactory;
- the benefits of different phase lengths and clearance times for pedestrians or cyclists;
- the benefits of automatically detecting when pedestrians or cyclists are waiting to cross and when they have completed crossing the road;
- the safety and appropriateness of an extinguished wait phase for two-aspect cycle signals or signals with combined pedestrian and cycle symbol aspects;
- feedback received from cyclists, pedestrians and the public in general;
- any operational issues or incidents which arose during the trial and how they were resolved;
- the overall benefits of two-aspect cycle signals compared to three-aspect cycle signals; and
- appropriate locations or circumstances in which two-aspect cycle signals could safely be approved for use instead of three-aspect signals.
An interim evaluation report must be sent to me by 31 October 2018 and a final report by 31 May 2020.
Signed at Wellington this 29th day of March 2018.
GLENN BUNTING, Manager Network Safety, NZ Transport Agency.