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Contents

Objective of the Rule

Extent of consultation

Section 1     Application

• 1.1     Title
• 1.2     Commencement
• 1.3     Scope of Rule

Section 2     Amendments to Rule requirements

• 2.1     Provision of markings
• 2.2     Traffic islands
• 2.3     School crossing points
• 2.4     General requirements for marking parking restrictions
• 2.5     Part 2 Definitions

Section 3     Amendments to Schedules

• 3.1     Amendments to Schedule 1

Schedules

Schedule 1   Sign replaced
Schedule 2   New sign inserted
Schedule 3   New sign inserted
Schedule 4   New signs inserted

 

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Objective of the Rule

Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2015 (the amendment Rule) amends Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004 (the Traffic Control Devices Rule). The Traffic Control Devices Rule specifies the requirements for the design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of traffic control devices, and sets out the functions and responsibilities of road controlling authorities (RCAs) in providing traffic control devices to give effect to their decisions on the control of traffic.

The objective of the amendment Rule is to:

• allow RCAs to install road markings for warning or advisory purposes in addition to the regulatory purposes currently allowed;
• clarify that an RCA must consider the risk to road users from any object placed on a raised traffic island and where necessary mitigate that risk;
• clarify that signs are required on both roadway approaches to school crossing points;
• allow an exception from the normal requirement to mark reserved parking spaces with yellow road markings and ordinary parking with white road markings; the proposed exception would allow for parking spaces which are reserved for residents’ parking to be marked white, unless the parking spaces are reserved 24 hours a day;
• align the definition of ‘light-rail vehicle lane’ with the requirements for light-rail vehicle lanes elsewhere in the Traffic Control Devices Rule;
• add the option of a flashing roundel to a variable speed limit sign (instead of flashing orange lights in the corner of the sign); the amendment will also allow numerals to be 25% larger than on static signs to account for the over-glow effect of LED signs;
• add the following new signs:
  • ‘Except named class of vehicle’ supplementary sign;
  • 'Barriers not working’ supplementary sign for use by workers repairing barrier arms at railway level crossings;
  • crash’ sign for use by the Police;  
  • ‘breakdown’ sign for use by workers who are removing a temporary hazard caused by a breakdown;
  • 'active LED railway crossing at curve’ warning sign;
• make minor corrections to the specifications of two signs.

Extent of consultation

For the purposes of consultation, amendments proposed to the Traffic Control Devices Rule and two other Land Transport Rules were combined into a single Rule, Land Transport Rule: Omnibus Amendment 2015 (the Omnibus Amendment Rule). Following consultation, the provisions in the Omnibus Amendment Rule were split into three separate amendment Rules.

The NZ Transport Agency sent details of the amendment proposals by letter or email to approximately 1,405 groups and individuals who had registered an interest in the Rules to be amended. The Omnibus Amendment Rule was made available through the NZ Transport Agency’s Contact Centre and, together with Questions and Answers, was also available on the NZ Transport Agency’s website. The availability of the amendment proposals for comment was publicised in the daily newspapers in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and in the New Zealand Gazette.

The NZ Transport Agency received 12 submissions on the Omnibus Amendment Rule, of which 10 commented on the proposed amendments to the Traffic Control Devices Rule. The submissions received were taken into account in finalising the amendment Rule following which it was submitted to the Associate Minister of Transport for signing.

Section 1     Application

1.1     Title

This Rule is Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices Amendment 2015.

1.2     Commencement

This Rule comes into force on 1 November 2015.

1.3    Scope of Rule

This Rule amends Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004.

Section 2    Amendments to Rule requirements

2.1    Provision of markings

In clause 5.2(3), after “regulatory” insert “, warning, or advisory”.

2.2    Traffic islands

Replace clause 7.7(3), with:

“7.7(3)   Before a road controlling authority installs, plants or places any object on a raised traffic island, it must consider the purpose of that object and the risks to road users. If the road controlling authority determines that the object is necessary, or that the risk it poses requires management, the road controlling authority must:

“(a)    install barriers around the object; or

“(b)    ensure that the object is frangible; or

“(c)    take such measures as are reasonable in the circumstances to mitigate any foreseeable risk.”

2.3    School crossing points

In clause 8.4(5)(d), replace “either side of the road” with “each approach to the school
crossing point”.

2.4    General requirements for marking parking restrictions

2.4(1)    In clause 12.7, before “If a road controlling authority”, insert “12.7(1)”.

2.4(2)   After clause 12.7(1), insert:

“12.7(2)    Despite 12.4(8) and 12.7(1), the colour of the markings
indicating a parking space that is reserved for ‘residents permit parking’ may be white, unless
the parking space is reserved for all hours of the day and night.”

2.5    Part 2: Definitions

In Part 2 Definitions, replace the definition of “Light-rail vehicle lane”, with:
“light-rail vehicle lane means a lane reserved for the use of light-rail vehicles by a marking
or sign installed:

“(a)    at the start of the lane (unless the light- rail vehicle lane is a continuous loop); and

“(b)    at each point at which the lane resumes after an intersection.”

Section 3     Amendments to Schedules

3.1        Amendments to Schedule 1

3.1(1)   In Schedule 1 Signs, replace item R1-2.1 with the item set out in Schedule 1.

3.1(2)   In Schedule 1 Signs, after item R3-5.3, insert the item set out in Schedule 2.

3.1(3)   In Schedule 1 Signs, item R3-13.3, under “Description” replace “R3-13.1 ‘keep left’” with “R3-13 ‘keep left’”.

3.1(4)   In Schedule 1 Signs, after item W2-1.23, insert the item set out in Schedule 3.

3.1(5)   In Schedule 1 Signs, after item W6-4, insert the items set out in Schedule 4.

3.1(6)   In Schedule 1 Signs, item W10-2, under:

(a)      “Description”, replace “triangle” with “equilateral triangle”; and

(b)     “Colour” replace “red” with “white”; and

(c)      “Colour” replace “white” with “red” the first time it occurs; and

(d)     “Size” replace “310 x 310 mm” with “sides 380 mm long”; and

(e)      “Size” replace “50 mm” with “38 mm”.

3.1(7)   In Schedule 1 Signs, item W19-2.1, under “Symbol”, after “‘depiction of curve’ (as in W12-1 and W12-2 series)”, insert on a new line, “‘arrow depicting the shape of the curve’ (as in W12-1 and W12-2 series signs) with a ‘symbol of a railway line superimposed in the appropriate location’”.

3.1(8)   In Schedule 1 Signs, item W19-2.1, under “Text”, after “‘advisory speed in km/h’ (as for sign W12-3.2) or ‘SLOW DOWN’”, insert on a new line and adjacent to the item inserted by 3.1(7), “‘advisory speed in km/h’ (as for
sign W12-3.2) or ‘SLOW DOWN’”.

Schedules

Schedule 1        Sign replaced

[Ref 3.1(1 )]

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R1-2.1	Variable speed
Highest speed limit is the number of km/h shown on the sign.
Shape and size	rectangle 800 x 800 mm
Background	black (unlit)
Border	none
Legend	Description	Colour	Size
- sign	R1-1 with a changeable speed value	roundel red (lit) or red (R)	600 mm diameter (effective) 90 mm roundel width
- option A	optional lights in each corner, which may flash in alternate diagonal pairs	yellow or white when lit	90 mm diameter (effective) circles
- option B	when the roundel comprises two or more concentric rings of illuminated elements, the outer ring must be continuously lit, but the inner rings may flash at approximately 1 Hertz	red when lit	outer ring 600 mm diameter (effective), inner rings sized to achieve a 90 mm roundel width

Schedule 2       New sign inserted

[Ref 3.1(2 )]

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R3-5.4	Supplementary – except “class” or “description” of vehicle
Supplementary sign for R3-1, R3-2, R3-3 or R3-4 signs excepting the class or description of vehicle specified by the road controlling authority from the ban on the relevant movement or R3-8, R3-9, R3-10 or R3-11 signs excepting the class or description of vehicle from the requirement to make the relevant movement.
Shape and size	rectangle at least 600 x 400 mm and large enough to comfortably accommodate the legend
Background	white (R)
Border	red (R) 20 mm
Legend	Description	Colour	Size
	“EXCEPT” ‘CLASS’ or ‘DESCRIPTION’ of vehicle	black black	100/15.5 100/15.5

Schedule 3       New sign inserted

[Ref 3.1(4)]

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W2-1.24	Hazard warning supplementary – barrier arms not working
The barrier arms are not operating. Two options.
Option A
Shape and size	rectangle 900 x 450 mm supplements W2-1
Background	orange (RF)
Border	black 25 mm
Legend	Description	Colour	Size
	“BARRIERS” “NOT WORKING”	black black	120/15 120/15
Option B
Shape and size	rectangle 1200 x 600 mm supplements W2-1B
Background	orange (RF)
Border	black 25 mm
Legend	Description	Colour	Size
	“BARRIERS” “NOT WORKING”	black black	160/20 160/20

Schedule 4       New signs inserted

[Ref 3.1(5)]

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W6-5	Crash
There has been a crash ahead. The maximum speed limit is 20 km/h until clear of the crash. (For use by the Police only)
Shape and size	rectangle 850 x 250 mm divided into two panels: left panel 600 x 250 mm; right panel 250 x 250 mm
Background	left panel orange (Rf); right panel white (R)
Border	left panel black 20 mm; right panel none
Legend	Description	Colour	Size
	left panel “CRASH” right panel R1-1 speed limit “20”	black roundel red (R) black	100/15.5 diameter 250 mm width 40 mm 85/14

 

W6-6	Breakdown
Breakdown ahead (For use by a worker involved in removing the temporary hazard caused by a breakdown)
Shape and size	rectangle 900 x 300 mm
Background	orange (Rf)
Border	black 25 mm
Legend	Description	Colour	Size
	“BREAKDOWN”	black	125/18