01.08.06

Article Courtesy of The New Zealand Roadmarkers Federation Inc

New road markings along Mana Esplanade in the Wellington Region were recently installed.

The green lane markings will help make the transit lanes more distinctive for motorists. In addition to the new markings, the traffic signals phasing is being modified to allow right turning traffic off Mana Esplanade to filter when the red arrow disappears.

Transit’s central region operations manager Mark Owen said that the new road markings would further enhance the operation and visibility of the T2 Transit lanes.

“The T2 Transit lanes have now been in operation for six months and we have listened to comments and residents – these improvements are a reflection of discussions with the locals to improve safety and operability of the T2 lanes.” “We’re pleased with how the transit lanes have operated to date. These extra improvements are designed to further assist motorists,” he said.

It is essential for improved traffic flow and the safety of local residents that the lanes are used correctly. Some of the other improvements include:

Lengthening of the Northbound Transit lane, from its current 700m length to 1km. This lane will now end beyond the New World supermarket rather than at Station Road.

50km/h speed symbols marked on the road to remind motorists to keep to the speed limit, and to improve the safety for all road users, residents and pedestrians.

For safety, trucks and other heavy vehicles are expected to use the right-hand lane in each direction at all times.

Motorists will notice a difference to the traffic signals at the intersections if Acheron station and Mana View Roads, and Pascoe Avenue. The phasing will be modified for traffic turning right off Mana Esplanade (SH1) with the red arrow signal at those intersections disappearing after five seconds to allow drivers to cross as traffic flow allows.

“The new traffic phasing for right hand turning motorists along the transit lane area will improve traffic flow but extreme care must be taken when turning to avoid oncoming vehicles”, said Mr Owen.

The lighting phase change had been discussed and endorsed by Plimmerton and Paremata residents’ associations, the New Zealand Police and the Porirua City Council. It was also at the request of these groups that no changes were made to the traffic signals at Grays Road and Steyne Avenue.

Since they were first introduced, the Mana transit lanes have eased congestion and improved traffic flow, particularly during peak hours along SH 1.

The rules for using the transit lanes can remain the same; with the exception of buses, taxis, motorcyclists and cyclists, transit lanes can only be used by vehicles carrying two or more people during the hours of operation. Drivers with no passengers cannot use them.