NZ Roads: Rating system could lead to speed limit changes
February 24th, 2010
Transit times for road freight could potentially increase if a safety star system for the country’s state highways is adopted. The rating system could provide the Govt with a basis for reviewing speed limits according to roading standards with the prospect more dangerous routes will have lower speed limits imposed. Transport Minister Steven Joyce says the issue of variable speed limits will be tackled in a national road safety strategy, for which he expects to present recommendations to the Cabinet next month.
A Ministry of Transport discussion paper emphasises reducing speed limits on high-risk rural roads and cutting open-road mean speeds by 5km/h could save up to 60 lives a year. The safety strategy is being finalised as a working group of Govt organisations and the AA is busy allocating star ratings to the country’s 10,900km-long state highway network.
Traffic Institute vice-president John Gottler supports the move saying his organisation of consultants and local govt transport politicians and engineers believe blanket speed limits are outdated in many instances. The institute wants a scientific basis for setting limits according to the characteristics of each road. The star rating exercise is being conducted as the second stage of a road assessment programme called KiwiRAP, and has involves videotaping the country’s state highways to provide in-built safety ratings for them all.
Copyright © Media Information Ltd
NZ Transport Intelligence Briefing
Amalgamated Dairies
Strait Shipping