Drivers planning to use Auckland's motorway network can now access the NZ Transport Agency's website for information about how long their travel will take to selected destinations around the city.
The new service is an on-line extension of the travel time Information displayed on electronic signs located on arterial roads that have access to the motorway network. Travel times can be viewed at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/tim/Central-motorway-junction.html(external link)
The on-line service is the latest in a series of traveller information initiatives to allow drivers to plan their travel with more certainty, says the NZTA’s Regional Director for Auckland and Northland, Stephen Town.
“We’re delighted we can deliver the new service before the Christmas holidays, because it will give people more information to allow them to make informed choices about their travel plans,” says Mr Town. “The motorways will remain busy with those leaving the city for a break and with those relying on the network to get to the post-Christmas sales or a holiday sports events, and any help we can provide will ensure that their journeys are smoother and safer.”
The travel time system provides an estimate that, for a typical 25 minute trip on the motorway, is accurate within four minutes of the actual journey time.
Travel information will be available on-line for the Southern [State Highway 1], Northern [SH1], and Northwestern [SH16] motorways and the central motorway junction [Spaghetti Junction]. The information will be available between 6am to 8pm , every day of the week including public holidays. The NZTA plans to extend the on-line service in 2011 to include the Southwestern Motorway [SH20].
“The travel time signs have been a great success since we began operating them in the middle of the year,” says Mr Town. “Our feedback shows that the system is being used by people already on the road, and the on-line service will help those choose the right travel option before starting their journey.”
The on-line and roadside travel times are among an extended range of services which the NZTA is providing from its new Traffic Operations Centre at Smales Farm, on Auckland’s North Shore. Other services include improving traffic flows and safety on the motorway network include managed priority lanes, lane control signals and ramp signals.
