Drivers will soon have a bright new guide to help direct them safely through NZ Transport Agency construction sites on Auckland’s motorway network - specialised orange coloured tape to define more clearly temporary lanes on the highways.
The Transport Agency’s acting Highways Manager, Steve Mutton, says the brightly coloured orange tape is used in Europe and has proved to be an effective and clear method to improve safety.
“The tape helps reduce the risk of an incident, particularly on construction sites where driver attention is focussed on additional signage, speed limit changes and altered or narrowed lanes. Risks can be compounded by the ‘ghost’ or ‘shadow’ of old markings confusing drivers, especially if there’s sun strike, rain or if it’s dark” Mr Mutton says.
The tape is used in a continuous strip to mark out temporary lanes.
“Its bright colour will contrast sharply with the highway surface and other markings, and drivers follow the orange lines as they would traditional white markings,” Mr Mutton says.
The specialised tape will be used both by contractors at construction sites and by the Auckland Motorway Alliance, which is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Transport Agency’s motorway network.
It will be used first later this month on sections of the Causeway Upgrade Project on the Northwestern Motorway (State Highway 16) and the Upper Harbour Highway project on the Northern Motorway (SH1).
“There are extensive changes to lanes at both sites, and it’s important we do everything possible to keep both road users and our contractors safe. We’re confident an innovation like this tape will help reduce hazards and make driving through our sites clearer and safer,” says Mr Mutton.
