Pursuant to subclauses 3.4(1) and 3.4(5) of the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Controls Devices 2004 (“Rule”) and a delegation from the NZ Transport Agency, Waka Kotahi (“NZTA”), I, Chris Rodley National Manager, Regulatory System Design, authorise the installation, maintenance, and operation of overhead dynamic lane control signs, overhead bus lane advisory signs, illuminated pavement markers and dynamic lane line markings to identify the central section of roadway as either a flush median or a lane available to general traffic when the kerbside lane is operating as a bus lane:

1. for the purpose described in Schedule 1;
2. in the form and layout and complying with the operating requirements set out in Schedule 2;
3. at the locations stated in Schedule 3;
4. for the period specified in Schedule 4; and
5. subject to the evaluation outlined in Schedule 5.

The overhead dynamic lane control signs, overhead bus lane advisory signs, illuminated pavement markers and dynamic lane line markings may be installed for the purpose of evaluating their use and the trial will be called the “Maioro Street dynamic lane control trial”.

For the purposes of the trial, the combination of overhead dynamic lane control signs, advisory signs and dynamic lane line markings are equivalent alternately to a flush median described in clause 7.4 of the Rule and a variable lane described in clause 7.13 of the Rule. The yellow illuminated pavement markers are equivalent to a no-passing line described in clause 7.3 of the Rule. The overhead bus lane sign is an advisory sign that will provide additional contextual support for the standard regulatory bus lane markings and time period signage required by clause 11.2 of the Rule.

Schedule 1—Purpose of trial

The purpose of the trial is to:

1. enable the installation and operation of overhead, dynamic lane control signs and advisory signs evenly spaced along the route as an alternative to the signs described in clause 7.13 and signs R4-4, R4-5 and R4-6 in Schedule 1 of the Rule being displayed either side of each intersection as required by subparagraph 4.2(3)(b)(ii) of the Rule;
2. enable the installation of the dynamic lane line markings detailed in schedule 2 of this notice to denote that the central lane is a dynamic lane. A dynamic lane being a form of variable lane for general traffic (that can change direction of flow) and which also operates as a flush median at specified times, as indicated by overhead signage.
3. enable the installation and operation of yellow, internally illuminated pavement markers detailed in schedule 2 of this notice as an alternative to the continuous line marking mandated for a no-passing line in clause 7.3(2) of the Rule to mark the centre line of the road between lanes with opposing directions of traffic;
4. evaluate the safety and effectiveness of overhead dynamic lane control signs, dynamic lane line markings and illuminated pavement markers to identify the central section of roadway as either a flush median or a lane available to traffic.
5. Assess road users’ understanding and compliance with overhead lane control and advisory signs, illuminated pavement markers and dynamic lane line markings as a dynamic lane control system.

Schedule 2—Form, layout and operation of the overhead signs, dynamic lane line markings, and illuminated pavement markers

1. The overhead, dynamic lane control signs must comply with sign numbers R4-4, R4-5 and R4-6 in Schedule 1 of the Rule used for the directional variable lane signs and with the specifications in Schedule 2(b) of this notice when operating as a flush median. The overhead advisory bus lane signs must comply with the specifications in Schedule 2(e) of this notice;
2. In addition to the combinations of symbols set out in subclause 7.13(3) of the Rule, the dynamic lane signs installed above the central section of roadway may display the following:
1. “FLUSH MEDIAN” for both directions; and
2. a “FLUSH MEDIAN” for one direction and a diagonal arrow or red cross for the other direction;

Example: Flush Median variable advisory sign

3. The symbols displayed on the overhead, dynamic lane signs for the central section of roadway must operate in the following sequence as an alternative to the sequence in subclause 7.13(4) of the Rule:
1. “FLUSH MEDIAN” displayed for both directions (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(i), followed by;
2. a yellow diagonal arrow displayed for westbound traffic (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(ii) Stage 1), followed by;
3. a red diagonal cross for westbound traffic (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(ii) Stage 2), followed by;
4. a green downward-facing arrow for eastbound traffic with a red diagonal cross for westbound (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(iii), followed by;
5. a yellow diagonal arrow for eastbound traffic and a red diagonal cross for the westbound traffic (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(iv) Stage 1), followed by;
6. a red diagonal cross for both directions (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(iv) Stage 2), followed by;
7. “FLUSH MEDIAN” displayed for both directions (coincident with the pavement marker operation described in Schedule 2(h)(i).
4. Overhead, dynamic lane control signs must be installed:
1. at each end of the section of road for the dynamic lane control trial; and
2. at intervals along the length of the road, with a maximum distance of 350 metres between sign locations.
5. The symbols displayed on the overhead variable signs for the kerbside lane in the eastbound direction must operate in the following sequence as an alternative to the sequence in 7.13(4) of the Rule:
1. Green arrow displayed for eastbound traffic, with no display for westbound traffic;
2. Yellow arrow displayed for eastbound traffic with no display for westbound traffic;
3. Bus symbol and “LANE” displayed for eastbound traffic with no display for westbound traffic; and
4. Green arrow displayed for eastbound traffic, with no display for westbound traffic.

Example: Bus lane variable advisory sign

6. White illuminated pavement markers will be provided in the transition areas to guide drivers to the correct lane for each phase of the dynamic lane;
7. The illuminated pavement markers used to mark the no-passing line must be bi-directional and comply with the NZ Transport Agency specification M29 Specification For Internally Illuminated Pavement Markers; and
8. The illuminated pavement markers must operate as follows:
1. When the central section of roadway is operating as a flush median, the yellow pavement markers representing no-passing lines must be off;
2. During the changeover period from flush median to active traffic lane, the pavement markers must operate in the following two stages:
   Stage 1: the white pavement markers representing lane lines directing traffic to the start of the correct lane may be illuminated or may be off; and the yellow pavement markers representing the no-passing line must be off;
   Stage 2: the white pavement markers representing lane lines directing traffic to the start of the correct lane may be illuminated or may be off; and the yellow pavement markers representing no-passing lines, between the central lane and the westbound lanes must be illuminated so that they are visible to traffic travelling both directions;
3. When the central section of roadway is operating as an active traffic lane the yellow pavement markers representing no-passing line, between the central lane and the westbound lanes must be illuminated so that they are visible to traffic travelling both directions; and
4. During the changeover period from active traffic lane to flush median, the white pavement markers representing lane lines directing traffic to the start of the correct lane may be illuminated or may be off; and the yellow pavement markers representing no-passing lines, between the central lane and the westbound lanes must be illuminated so that they are visible to traffic travelling both directions; and
9. The dynamic lane line markings for the centre of the road must consist of continuous 100mm thickness white lines outside a series of 200mm thickness dashed white lines that are 6m long with a 6m gap between dashes.
10. The layout of the illuminated pavement markers and dynamic lane lines to mark the dynamic lane and no-passing lines must conform with the following diagram.

Example: Dynamic lane marking and layout

Schedule 3—Location

The location approved for this trial is Maioro Street, Auckland, from New Windsor Road to Richardson Road.

Schedule 4—Period of trial

The trial may begin after 1 June 2025 and, unless terminated earlier, must end by 1 July 2026.

Schedule 5—Evaluation

An evaluation and analysis must be undertaken as described in the trial application dated July 2024, received from Auckland Transport. The evaluation must include:

1. an assessment of road users’ recognition and understanding of the overhead, dynamic lane signs, dynamic lane line marking, and illuminated pavement markers used to identify the central section of the roadway as either a flush median or a lane available to traffic. This is to include a survey of road users;
2. measurement of drivers’ compliance with the dynamic lane control system including its changeover procedure;
3. analysis of enforcement, conflicts and crashes;
4. analysis of costs, efficiency improvements and other benefits;
5. a summary of feedback received from road users, residents, police, and the general public during the trial;
6. a description of any operational issues which arose during the trial and how they were resolved;
7. recommendations for improvements or changes that should be made to the form and layout or operation of the dynamic lane control system; and
8. recommendations for amendments to the Rule and other necessary legislation to incorporate the dynamic lane option into the Rule for all road controlling authorities.

An interim evaluation report must be sent to me by 16 February 2026 and a final report by 30 October 2026.

Signed at Wellington this 15th of April 2025.

CHRIS RODLEY, National Manager, Regulatory System Design.