Transport Operation Centres (TOCs)

Everyone who uses the transport network wants to get from A to B safely and efficiently, and for any disruptions to their journey to be minimised. That’s the focus of our two Transport Operation Centres (TOCs).

The Wellington Transport Operation Centre (WTOC) and the Auckland Transport Operation Centre (ATOC) – a joint venture with Auckland Transport – work behind the scenes to keep people and freight moving. They operate 24/7 to help manage the transport network in real-time, collaborating with many others including emergency services to respond to planned and unplanned events which can disrupt all modes of transport.  

Key functions include: 

• real-time monitoring of the transport network, using CCTV cameras and other sources to identify risks and issues affecting customers
• incident management i.e. coordinating the response to crashes, breakdowns, storms and other unplanned events which impact the transport network including emergencies like earthquakes, fires and the Covid-19 pandemic
• optimising traffic signals in real-time to help improve safety and/or efficiency
• providing travel information to help ensure customers are updated before and during their journeys
• working with relevant parties before and during planned activities such as roadworks and public events to help minimise their impact in real-time
• reviewing signalised intersection designs and developing or enhancing traffic signals’ software to ensure safety, efficiency and reliability (in accordance with network operating plans). 

Facts and figures: 

• Between them the TOCs cover the entire New Zealand state highway network, which is approximately 11,000km of roads.
• ATOC’s area of operation includes approximately 3000km of state highways in the upper North Island plus around 7500km of arterial/local roads in Auckland and dozens of public transport facilities. WTOC’s area of operation includes approximately 8000km of state highways from Turangi to Bluff.
• Each year the TOCs respond to about 60,000 unplanned events, from fatal crashes and flooding to vehicle breakdowns and debris on the road, traffic light faults to a myriad of customer and asset safety or security issues in Auckland’s public transport facilities.
• Staff make an average of 21,000 traffic signals adjustments in real-time each month across 1,300 signalised intersections in Auckland, Warkworth, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Nelson, Ashburton, Timaru, Dunedin, Queenstown and Invercargill.
• TOCs provide updates to customers via many channels, including 24/7 via electronic signs and the Waka Kotahi journey planner.
• ATOC processes 1600 event-related traffic management plan applications annually and typically delivers traffic management and/or special event transport services for 50 major events each year such as All Blacks matches and major concerts.  

Take a look behind the scenes: