Potential sites
- What is a passing opportunity?
The passing opportunities for this project are likely to predominantly be slow vehicle bays. Slow vehicle bays are shorter in length than a traditional passing lane and require slow moving vehicles to pull off into the facility. They work well on roads with lower traffic volumes where the number of vehicles following (platooned) behind slower vehicles is usually one or two. Hilly and winding road alignments create larger speed differences between slower and faster moving traffic. A larger speed difference between vehicles means that faster moving traffic (when given the opportunity) can overtake slower moving traffic within a shorter distance.
Close
- How have you chosen potential site locations?
The potential sites we’re asking for feedback on were identified by local road engineers based on current issues with the network, existing passing opportunity strategies, and on road user feedback that we’ve received over the last few years.
The sites will be assessed on several criteria including public feedback, safety, distance between existing passing opportunities, environmental impacts and cost to implement.
Visit our interactive map(external link) to see the sites we’re considering and tell us what you think.
- How do I tell you about a location I think would be good for a passing opportunity?
If you have a site in mind that isn’t one of the 40 sites that have already been identified, there are a number of ways you can tell us about the site. You can use the interactive online map on Social Pinpoint to drop a pin exactly in the location you think is best suited. You can then leave a comment saying why you think that location would work.
Alternatively you can describe the location in the feedback form on Social Pinpoint.
Social Pinpoint interactive online map and feedback form(external link)
If you’re not used to driving the state highway, it can be difficult to describe a location with minimal landmarks. It is easier to try and identify landmarks after you’ve driven through a site that you think would make a good passing opportunity, as you then become more aware of your surroundings (rather than trying to recall where you were before you drove through the site).
You can use landmarks such as road signs, local roads that connect to the state highway, rest areas, tight bends in the road or the names of farms and stations.
If that fails, just do your best to describe the site in your own words.
Please be safe throughout the process, and take care when analysing site options in situ or if pulling over to take notes.
Close
- How many passing opportunities will you construct?
This depends on the feedback we get and on the results from our Multi Criteria Analysis process. Some sites will be more expensive to construct than others, so we need to take this into consideration when deciding which sites to progress through to the next stage. Your feedback will help us determine which potential sites are most suitable or preferential.
We’ll be able to share more information about the location and number of sites we’d like to progress once we’ve analysed feedback from communities and key stakeholders.
Feedback will also help us develop the business case that needs approval before funding for this project can be released.
Close
General information
- What criteria makes a viable location for a passing opportunity?
Passing opportunities are best suited to locations where there is a difference in speeds between faster and slower moving traffic, eg a loaded truck travelling on a sustained uphill or winding section of road will do so at a much lower speed than a light general passenger vehicle. The road alignment needs to allow for sufficient site distance to the entry and exit (merge) points of the passing opportunity to ensure motorists can use the facility safely.
We’ll also be considering distance between existing and proposed sites, and the cost to construct each site.
Close
- How will you prioritise passing opportunity sites once you’ve collected feedback?
When analysing feedback we’ll look for patterns and key themes about each site and area. The feedback will then be considered when assessing the sites against the NZ Transport Agency’s ‘Multi Criteria Analysis’ (MCA) framework, which considers a range of factors such as environmental impacts, safety, cost, impacts to the community, lifespan etc. Some sites may depend on external factors such as availability of land.
Sites will then be prioritised for construction based on the results of the MCA process, the calculated benefits, and the costs. To ensure the construction phase provides the best value for money we will look to ‘package’ sites together rather than procuring each individual site seperately. This will also mean we can better manage the impact on the network across the various sites while they’re being built.
This information will be used to develop a business case, which needs approval before funding for this project can be released.
Close
- What’s the difference between a passing opportunity and a passing lane, and will this money fund both?
The passing opportunities for this project are likely to predominantly be slow vehicle bays. Slow vehicle bays are shorter in length than a traditional passing lane and require slow moving vehicles to pull off into the facility. They work well on lower volume roads where the number of vehicles following or platooned behind slower vehicles is usually 1–2 vehicles. Hilly and winding road alignments create larger speed differences between slower and faster moving traffic. A larger speed difference means that faster moving traffic (when given the opportunity) can overtake slower moving traffic within a shorter distance.
Some work to existing passing opportunities or passing lanes may eventuate, depending on the feedback we receive.
Close
- What type of feedback are you after?
We’re seeking your thoughts and feedback on a set of sites for passing opportunities that we’ve already identified, and on existing passing opportunities, as well as ideas on other sites you think would be suitable for passing opportunities.
For existing sites we’ve identified, we want to know whether you think a site is suitable or unsuitable and why. If you have ideas for alternative sites, we want to know the location of the site (described to the best of your abilities), and why you think it’s an ideal location.
Close
- How do I tell you about the location I think would be good for a passing opportunity?
If you have a site in mind that isn’t one of the 40 sites that have already been identified, there are a number of ways you can tell us about the site. You can use the interactive online map on Social Pinpoint to drop a pin exactly in the location you think is best suited. You can then leave a comment saying why you think that location would work.
Social Pinpoint interactive online map(external link)
Alternatively you can describe the location in the feedback form on social pinpoint, or email us at ConnectingTairawhiti@nzta.govt.nz
If you’re not used to driving the state highway, it can be difficult to describe a location with minimal landmarks. It is easier to try and identify landmarks after you’ve driven through a site that you think would make a good passing opportunity, as you then become more aware of your surroundings (rather than trying to recall where you were before you drove through the site).
You can use landmarks such as road signs, local roads that connect to the state highway, rest areas, tight bends in the road or the names of farms and stations.
If that fails, just do your best to describe the site in your own words.
Please be safe throughout the process, and take care when analysing site options in situ or if pulling over to take notes.
Close
- What are the key issues for drivers using the state highway roads in and out of the Gisborne region?
Roads on the East Coast are scenic but are geographically challenging areas for a state highway network. Highly erodible soils coupled with steep terrain means roads are windy and uneven and are susceptible to deterioration more easily than in other parts of the country. Drivers need to be alert, paying attention to other drivers and to the steep, windy and often narrow road.
Gisborne is also relatively isolated, meaning the journey in and out of the city can be long and treacherous, no matter what town or city you’re coming from.
Because of these conditions, many drivers are frustrated if they are behind slower vehicles and unable to safely pass.
Close
- How long will it take to construct the passing lanes once sites have been confirmed?
This depends on a number of factors; following on from the investigation phase the timeline can be impacted by the consenting process or land requirements. The physical works phase is usually between September and March and is dependant on the size of the work and weather. Our aim is to have all passing opportunities installed by 2022.
Close
- What is the budget for this project and where is the funding coming from?
The Provincial Growth Fund has allocated $32million for the construction of the passing opportunities package, subject to business case approval. The project is part of the Tairāwhiti roading package, aimed at helping to unlock Tairāwhiti’s economic potential through safer and more resilient transport connections.
Close
- How does the NZ Transport Agency ensure that the environment is looked after while work takes place?
Once construction begins, we ensure that our work is carried out in a way that takes account of the need to protect the environment, wildlife and cultural values of the area, while ensuring the safety of contractors on site and drivers while the road is open.
Close
