New motorway ramp signals soon

From City Scene, published on 14 October, 2007

Motorists are asked to be patient in coming weeks as Transit New Zealand introduces new ramp signals (traffic lights) at five southern motorway on-ramps. Ramp signals are designed to better regulate vehicles at on-ramps, allowing traffic to flow more freely on motorways. The signals work by using sensors under the road surface to monitor queue length and determine how often the lights flash green.

Signals will be introduced at:

St Marks and Khyber Pass roads on 15 October
Grafton Road, Symonds and Hobson streets on 23 October.

Mitch Tse, senior traffic engineer at the council, says international research shows ramp signals work. "The system helps keep motorway flow consistent and improves safety by controlling merging traffic," he says. "We support ramp signalling in principle but are working closely with Transit and monitoring city roads to ensure they are not compromised by improvements for motorway traffic."

As Transit introduces the new system, signals will be adjusted at the on-ramps according to traffic flow. "There will be some delays as the signals are fine-tuned," says Mr Tse. "We ask drivers to be patient during the initial settling in period and can reassure them we'll be working with Transit to ensure that the on-ramps and local roads are working to optimal capacity following the changes."