1 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC November 2017 ROTORUA LAKES COUNCIL

Transcription

1 1 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Mayor Chairperson and Members STRATEGY, POLICY & FINANCE COMMITEE ROTORUA LAKES COUNCIL File No: \05 RDC SPEED LIMIT BYLAW CHANGES TO SPEED LIMITS Report prepared by: Darryl Robson, Transport Operations Manager Report reviewed by: Stavros Michael, General Manager Infrastructure Report approved by: Geoff Williams, Chief Executive 1. PURPOSE The purpose of the report is to request that the committee agrees the proposed changes to speed limits on local roads in the Rotorua District and to refer these for public consultation. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The responsibility for setting of speed limits rests with the Road Controlling Authority, which it is the relevant Territorial Authority or NZTA in the case of State Highways. limits are set under Council s Limit Bylaw. However speed limits and speed limit settings are required to comply with the Land Transport Rule Setting of Limits 2017, which was recently signed into law. Proposed speed limits therefore have been assessed under this new rule. The assessment is undertaken in accordance with the Management Guidelines, published by NZTA. Failure to establish that proposed speed limits are in accordance with the rule may invalidate them. Council reviews speed limits on approximately a three year cycle and reviews those roads that have been subject to public submissions, principally through Annual Plans, roads where changes have occurred e.g. development or for some other specific reason e.g. recommendation from a Coroner s report. As the review is under the By-law the process required to review speed limits is undertaken in accordance with the Special Consultative Provisions of the Local Government Act. 3. RECOMMENDATION 2: 1. That the report Limit By-Law Changes to Limits be received. 2. That the Committee recommends to Council that changes to speed limits on the following road are consulted on in accordance with the requirements of the rule Setting of Limits 2017.

2 2 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Road Location Current speed limit Proposed Limit Manawahae Road SH30 to Pongakawa Valley Road 100km/hr 80km/hr Pongakawa Valley Road Manawahae Rd to Kennedy By 100km/hr 80km/hr Pongakawa Valley Road Kennedy Bay to Otatau Bay 100km/hr 80km/hr Western Road SH5 to Brake Road No 22 to Brake Road 100km/hr 70km/hr 60km/hr 50km/hr Brake Road Full length 70km/hr 60km/hr Oakland Place Full length 70km/hr 50km/hr Pioneer Road Full length 70km/hr 50km/hr Mohi Crescent Full length 70km/hr 50km/hr Tarawera Road Forest Place to Landing 100km/hr 80km/hr Spencer Road Current 100km/hr sections 100km/hr 80km/hr Brunswick Drive SH30 to end 70km/hr 50km/hr (including side roads) Okareka Loop Road Blue Lake to Okareka Village 100km/hr 80km/hr And Tarawera Road to Village Millar Road Steep Street to end 100km/hr 80km/hr Waiotapu Loop Road SH5 to SH5 100km/hr 60km/hr Road to Wastewater Treatment Plant (Unnamed) SH30A to WWTP 70km/hr 40km/hr Vaughan Road Puketawhero Park to Duggan Drive 70km/hr 50km/hr Owhata Road Last house to Iri Irikapua Parade 70km/hr 30km/hr Hamurana Road SH36 to SH33 Varies 70km/hr to 100km/hr 70km/hr Kaska Road Full length 80km/hr 70km/hr Turner Road Full length 100km/hr 70km/hr Te Waerenga Road 0m to 350m 100km/hr 70km/hr Paradise Valley, Endean Te Miri and Te Manu roads Full length 100km/hr 80km/hr 4. BACKGROUND The new rule Setting of Limits 2017 is part of the Government s Safer Journeys Strategy which is aimed at reducing the number and severity of crashes on NZ roads. The new rule allows for greater flexibility in setting of speed limits and in particular allows for the posting of limits that are in line with the actual speeds. RLC has assessed each road considered for review under the new rule. The considerations taken into account to assess recommended speeds include: Current posted speed limit. Current operating speed actual speeds. Safe and appropriate speed. management theme.

3 3 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Roadside environment degree of development. Adjoining road network avoid multiple changes. One network road classification function of road. There is still a requirement to engineer speed down to posted limits should actual speeds exceed a posted limit. There is a degree of flexibility though should actual speed be higher on short sections of a road. The review has taken this common sense approach. The review has also sought to minimise frequent changes to speed limits, again to have a common sense approach and some of the recommendations include adjacent roads not specifically assessed to avoid confusing and frequent changes. This is covered in the rule under themes whereby consistency is considered to be appropriate. 5. DISCUSSION AND OPTIONS In reviewing speed limits on the roads under consideration, the following factors have been evaluated: Functional Classification ONRC hierarchy. evaluated in accordance with guidelines. Actual measured speeds. Any requirement for engineered intervention. Impact and consistency with wider network. There are other considerations that are also important to consider. Consideration Minimum length of limits 50 & 60km/hr 80km/hr 100km/hr Requirements 500m 800m 2000m Intermediate Limits 70 and 90km/hr Require specific NZTA approval In recommending speed limits minimum lengths have been considered and where appropriate on adjacent roads existing limits recommended for change. Also the intermediate limits have been avoided if practical so that specific NZTA approval is not required. Summary of Recommended Changes Road Location Current speed limit (km/hr) Manawahe Road Pongakawa Valley Road SH30 to Pongakawa Valley Road Manawahae Rd to Assessed Limit (Km/hr) Actual (Km/hr) Proposed Limit (km/hr Comment Compliant with safe operating speed Compliant with safe operating speed.

4 4 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Road Location Current speed limit (km/hr) Kennedy Bay Pongakawa Valley Road Western Road Tarawera Road Brunswick Drive Okareka Loop Road Millar Road Waiotapu Loop Road Kennedy Bay to Otautu Bay SH5 to Brake Road (include Brake Rd) Brake Road to 22 Western Road. Forest Place to Landing Assessed Limit (Km/hr) Actual (Km/hr) Proposed Limit (km/hr Comment 85 th percentile speed is 76km/hr Short section of road that does not comply with 100km/hr limit and keeps consistency with proposed speed limit on first section of Pongakawa Valley Road (Buried Village) 73 (transfer Stn) SH30 to end and 55 Blue Lake to Okareka Village Steep Street to end and 66 Short section currently 100km/hr does not comply with new rule 50 Development along Road now justifies 50km/hr limit 80 Include Spencer Rd (Tarawera Rd to Settlement) and 301 Spencer to 441 Spencer as both sections currently at 100km/hr do not comply with 2km minimum distance. 85 th percentile 90km/hr (Transfer Station) 50 Include all side roads for consistency. 85 th percentile 67km/hr 80 Include first section of Okareka Loop Road on other side of village for consistency. 85 th percentile 78km/hr Provides consistency with all roads in Okareka. 85 th percentile 85km/hr SH5 to SH (north) 47 (south) 60 NZTA looking at reducing speed limit on this section of SH5 and this will provide consistency.

5 5 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Road Location Current speed limit (km/hr) Road to Wastewater Treatment Plant (Unnamed) Vaughan Road Owhata Road Hamurana Road SH30A to WWTP Puketawhero Park to Duggan Drive Last house to Iri Irikapua Parade SH36 to SH33 Assessed Limit (Km/hr) Actual (Km/hr) Proposed Limit (km/hr Comment 85 th percentile 48 and 55 km/hr Narrow road with significant activity justifies 40km/hr limit Development along this section of Vaughan Road justifies 50km/hr limit Extension of 30km/hr limit around into Owhata Road (60m) which currently changes at Iri Irikapua Varies 70 to (70 limit) 79 (100 limit) Parade. 70 Proposed speed limit of 70km/hr including all side roads except as noted below. This will provide for consistent speed limit throughout area. 85 th percentile 94km/hr (current 100km/hr zone) Unsworth No change and Ward Kaska Road For consistency Turner Road For consistency Te Waerenga Road 0m to 350m For consistency Paradise Valley Road Clayton Road to SH (stock car club) 80 Include Endean Te Miri and Te Manu Roads. 85 th percentile 73km/hr Note that the actual speed given are average speeds measured over a day in daytime hours only. 85 th percentile speed is the actual speed that 15% of vehicles are currently exceeding. Some sites have more than one actual measurement at different locations. The above proposals are in line with the speed management guide or in line with actual measured speeds. The recommendation for Hamurana Road is to have a consistent speed limit with the area. This is not strictly in accordance with the guide that assesses part of the route (Marama Point to SH33) and (within the Hamurana urban areas) as 60km/hr and the rural sections at 80km/hr respectively. This would be an alternative recommendation. Note that a proposed 70km/hr limit will require specific approval of NZTA, prior to any wider consultation. Note that this route currently has a number of sections with various limits 60km/hr, 80km/hr and 100km/hr.

6 6 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Rationale for each site is given in the table below. Site Rationale Particular requirements Manawhae and Pongakawa Actual speeds are lower than No intervention measures Valley roads current posted limits due to required. Western Road Tarawera and Spencer Roads Brunswick Drive and side Roads Okeraka Loop and Millar Roads Waiotapu Loop Road Road to Wastewater Treatment Plant Vaughan Road Owhata Road Hamurana Road relatively narrow winding road. Relocation of 50km/hr limit to match development. Reduce remaining section to match actual speeds. Proposed speed limit to match actual speed and provide consistent limits. Proposed speed limit to more closely match actual speed and provide consistent limits. Proposed speed limit to match actual speed and provide consistent limits Proposed speed limit to match actual speed and provide consistent limits Safe and appropriate speed for environment Relocation of 50km/hr limit to match development. Posting of 30km/hr limit for Iri Irikapua Parade prior to corner Proposed speed limit to match actual speed and provide consistent limits. Threshold signage required for motorists entering from SH 5 to induce compliance Some sections will require threshold type signage to induce compliance Recommendation is lower than assessed speed and actual speeds so will require treatment. No additional site requirements No additional site requirements No additional site requirements No additional site requirements No additional site requirements Some sections will require threshold type signage to induce compliance Threshold type signage is large signage eg. Tarawera Road aimed at inducing compliance with speed limits where there is a tendency to travel faster. After implementation of new speed limits sites will be checked for compliance and if necessary some additional measures fitted into existing programmes to ensure compliance within reasonable limits. 6. ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The decisions or matters of this report are not considered significant in accordance with the council s Significance and Engagement Policy. 7. COMMUNITY INPUT/ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLICITY The Limit setting rule specifically requires engagement with the following: a) Any adjacent Road Controlling or Territorial Authorities that are affected. b) Local communities considered to be affected. c) The Commissioner Ministry of Transport. d) The Chief Executive of the New Zealand Automobile Association. e) NZTA

7 7 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee f) Any other organisation or user group that is considered to be affected. In setting of speed limits Council must take into account the views of the above through both written and verbal submissions to Council. 8. CONSIDERATIONS 8.1 Financial/budget considerations There are no significant financial costs to the setting of speed limits. New signage will be required and for threshold type signage the cost is relatively high but would be undertaken within existing budgets. Considerable staff resources are required through the process. 8.2 Policy and planning implications 8.3 Risks management is a key road safety issue directly aligned to National, Regional and Local strategies and a key outcome required under the Asset Management Plan. It is also directly aligned with 2030 outcomes and in particular: a) Active Environment. b) Easy Lifestyle. c) RLC Productivity and Performance. This is a core function of Council. Diverse community views are possible which may result in some negative perception. This can be managed with a clear message for the reasoning behind the proposed changes and the fact the programme supports the strategic outcomes of improved road safety. 8.4 Authority The Authority to approve this decision is with Council. This decision is only to set in motion the process with recommended changes to some speed limits. There will be a hearing to follow the public consultation and Council may choose to delegate this to a sub-committee who could make recommendations to Council for any final changes. 9. CONCLUSION Proposed changes to speed limits on some roads have been evaluated in accordance with the Setting of Limits 2017 rule under the Land Transport regulations. It needs to be understood that some degree of flexibility has been used in making these recommendations particularly to avoid frequent speed limit changes and hence maintain consistency. Council in its consideration of these recommendations may make changes. Setting of final speed limits by Council is subject to oversight by NZTA who retain the authority to require Council to justify any decisions made under this rule. Both NZTA and the Commissioner of the Ministry of Transport retain the authority to change or modify any decision of Council cannot justify under the Rule.

8 8 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee 10. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Plans of each site

9 9 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017

10 10 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017

11 11 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017

12 12 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017

13 13 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017

14 14 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017

15 15 Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Doc No: RDC ATTACHMENT 1 9 November 2017