This booklet targets designers of traffic signals and RCA staff who control, operate and maintain signalised intersections. The aim is to raise awareness about commonly occurring safety and efficiency issues.
Designing signalised intersections is a highly specialised discipline. Safety and/or efficiency were compromised at many of the installations audited. Engineers should make use of all the available relevant guidelines and standards. If RCAs don't have their signals up to standard in all respects of their safety and efficiency, they will undoubtedly fall into disrepute with regular users.
The most important advice, however, is to engage a competent signal engineer for the peer review of new designs. Note that this is not covered by the road safety audit process (Transfund, 2004). It is also recommended that road controlling authorities engage suitably experienced specialists for auditing their SCATS set-ups. Contact SNUG committee members (www.ipenz.org.nz/snug) for a list of suitably qualified and experienced engineers.
Ian Appleton, Principal Advisor
Land Transport New Zealand
Axel Wilke, Managing Director
Traffix
