Richmond arterial strategic case – SH6
The Transport Agency undertook Richmond arterial strategic case as part of work included in the 2015-2018 National Land Transport Programme. The main drivers for this work are to address:
- traffic growth and transportation planning pressures from land use development and planned regional growth
- lapsing of the Hope bypass designation in 2018 and 2023
- the three roundabouts study recommendations that this investigation be carried out to understand the wider network prior to proceeding with the three roundabouts study.
The problems identified (along with their weightings in brackets) are:
| Problem 1 (30%) |
A change in function over time of Gladstone Road from a through-road to more places and the conflicting types of traffic have created deteriorating efficiencies, particularly at the intersections. |
|---|---|
| Problem 2 (25%) | The inefficient form of the state highway and the accessibility of alternative routes means that people are avoiding the state highway. |
| Problem 3 (45%) | Future land development in and around the Richmond area is likely to adversely impact the local roading network in the form of severance and safety in the future. |
The potential benefits of successfully addressing the problems (along with their weightings in brackets) are:
- Improved safety (20%)
- Efficient use of the network hierarchy (50%)
- Reliable through function of the state highway at peak times (30%).
The key findings from the analysis of evidence outlined below indicates that problem 1 is partially supported but problems 2 and 3 are not:
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There has been new and intensified commercial development along Gladstone Road and its side streets resulting in increased traffic generation and congestion at PM peak periods.
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Severe southbound PM peak congestion is occurring at the western end of Whakatu Drive, which is throttling back traffic through Richmond, and preventing further congestion between McGlashen Avenue and Oxford Street in Richmond.
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Traffic count data does not provide strong support for the problem statement that motorists are using alternative routes at the expense of the state highway.
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Richmond is expected to experience population growth and increasing development in key locations adjacent to the state highway network. This will increase traffic and impact on the state highway and on local roads in terms of safety. However, provided the transport network is planned and managed carefully to mitigate the impacts, it is not expected that there will be a significant effect on community severance.
The Hope Bypass is the long term transportation response should additional capacity be needed on the Richmond network in the future. This strategic case indicates that investigating ways to improve corridor efficiency in the short to medium term is the first step to better understand when the Hope Bypass will be needed. This will then enable consideration of the most appropriate method to address the upcoming expiry of the Hope Bypass designation. It is proposed that, in conjunction with Tasman District Council, a Network Operating Framework and Activity Plan be developed to understand the future transport demand, consider intervention options that make best use of the existing local and state highway network and then determine the trigger levels when investment will be warranted to implement the Hope Bypass.
Download the report for more detailed information. [PDF, 3.1 MB]
Motueka township strategic case – SH60
The Transport Agency has undertaken this SH60 strategic case for Motueka as part of work included in the 2015-2018 National Land Transport Programme. The main drivers for this investigation are to address:
- the Tasman Regional Transport Committee’s resolution to support the Transport Agency to determine a programme of work to address short to medium term safety and congestion matters on High Street, Motueka
- the Motueka Transportation Study, which recommends a series of network management measures in advance of a Motueka bypass which may be needed in the longer term
- the 2015-2018 Tasman Regional Land Transport Plan which proposes three SH60 intersection upgrades in Motueka.
This strategic case has been carried out in conjunction with the SH60 Richmond to Collingwood strategic case which covers the entire route. The problems identified (along with their weightings in brackets) are:
| Competing interests (50%) |
Traffic growth and competing interests in the town centre result in delays and through traffic using suburban roads. |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian crossings (30%) | Pedestrian movements across the road are creating confusion, congestion and safety issues. |
| Safety/alternative routes (20%) | High traffic volumes and poor intersection layouts are encouraging drivers to take risks with resulting safety issues or use alternative routes. |
The key partners identified the potential benefits of successfully addressing these problems (along with their weightings in brackets) as follows:
- Improved capacity of SH60 (25%)
- Improved community wellbeing (50%)
- Improved pedestrian safety (15%)
- Improved road user safety (10%)
Findings from the analysis of evidence indicates:
- Traffic volumes are modestly increasing and, in summer, traffic volumes increase considerably, High Street congestion is causing marginally longer delays and traffic appears to be diverting onto local routes to avoid the congestion.
- The pedestrian crossings are inconsistent in their design, are unclear and have a poor crash history, particularly at Pah/Greenwood and near the Tudor St intersection.
- Two of the five key intersections along High Street have a medium or medium high collective risk and the High St corridor has a medium collective risk rating.
This strategic case doesn’t indicate an immediate need to pursue an alternate state highway route through Motueka. Consideration of the long-term strategic transport planning for traffic through Motueka will be included as part of the overall SH60 Richmond to Collingwood Investigation. This strategic case does, however, support the second and third problem statement, highlighting the need to improve pedestrian and intersection safety along High Street.
An assessment of the anticipated strategic fit and effectiveness has been undertaken in accordance with the Transport Agency Investment Assessment Framework, and determined that the indicative profile would be M/M/-1.
It is proposed that the investigation progresses to a single phase detailed business case with a view to determining short to medium term improvements.
Download the report for more detailed information. [PDF, 6.2 MB]
1The ranges of ratings are L (low), M (medium) and H (High). More information on the 2018-21 NLTP Assessment Framework.
