Traffic Control Devices

2017 Amendment to Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017?

The Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017 (the Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017) amends Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 (the principal rule).

The principal rule specifies requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of traffic control devices, and sets out the functions and responsibilities of road controlling authorities.

Why was the Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017 made?

The Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017 makes the changes to the principal rule that are required to implement the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017, which came into effect on 1 July 2017.

This Act amended the Land Transport Act 1998 to enable road controlling authorities, such as councils and the Transport Agency, to make bylaws allowing electric vehicles to use suitable special vehicle lanes.

From 1 September 2017, it will be up to individual road controlling authorities to decide if they will make bylaws that allow electric vehicles access to any special vehicle lanes within their network.

What amendments have been made to the principal rule?

1. A definition of ‘electric vehicle’ has been inserted. This definition refers to a definition of electric vehicle that has been added to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 – “a motor vehicle with motive power wholly or partly derived from an external source of electricity.”
2. The definitions of ‘bus lane’ and ‘transit lane’ have been revised to refer to amended definitions of these terms, in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, that include references to electric vehicles using those lanes.
3. Schedules 1 and 2 have been updated to include signs and road markings for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and road markings related to electric vehicles’ use of special vehicle lanes.

When do the changes come into effect?

The Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017 comes into effect on 1 September 2017.

Was the public consulted on the changes?

During the select committee stage of the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, submissions were received on the proposal to enable road controlling authorities to allow electric vehicles access to special vehicle lanes.

Additionally, the Ministry of Transport sent details of the proposed changes to the principal rule to about 1,600 groups and individuals (including people who had registered an interest in the principal rule and stakeholders involved with electric vehicles).

How can I obtain a copy of the Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017?

Rules can be read, free of charge, at the National Office and regional offices of the Transport Agency. The rule is available on the NZ Transport Agency website at http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/traffic-control-devices-index/(external link)

A copy of the Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017 is also available for purchase from selected bookshops that sell legislation or from Wickliffe Solutions, telephone 0800 226 440.

Does the Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2017 give me all the information I need to understand the changes?

This is an amendment rule so therefore only contains the amending provisions. The amendment rule should be read in conjunction with the principal rule. The principal rule is also available on the Transport Agency’s website.

A consolidated version of the principal rule, incorporating the amendment, is available on this website from 1 September 2017:
http://nzta.thomsonreuters.co.nz/DLEG-NZL-LTSA-T.LTR-54002.pdf(external link)

Will the Transport Agency allow electric vehicles in special vehicle lanes?

As the road controlling authority with control over state highways, the Transport Agency has, to date, undertaken assessment of special vehicle lanes on the state highway network in Auckland to determine suitability for electric vehicles. More information is available on the Transport Agency website: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/electric-vehicles-special-vehicle-lanes/(external link)