V8 International street race traffic management:
Major travel intentions survey completed

The applicants for a resource consent to run the Auckland V8 International street race today released the results of a major regional survey of drivers’ travel intentions during the event.

The survey involved 981 respondents, all aged 15 plus who drive vehicles to the central Auckland area on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The survey segmented respondents travelling from North Shore City, from the area north of North Shore City, including Hatfield’s beach and Whangaparaoa and others from the rest of the region. Auckland central business district residents were excluded.

The survey, with a budget of up to $45,000, was conducted by Gravitas Research and Strategy Limited and becomes part of the information filed with the resource management consent application for the event.

The application will be heard by three independent commissioners. That hearing is expected to be held early next month.

Key survey findings (detailed in Gravitas attached executive summary) are:

Awareness of the application to hold the event is very high in all areas and is highest in North Shore City (94 per cent aware) in total, 83 per cent of drivers in the Auckland region (excluding north) and 78 per cent of drivers from the north say they’d be definitely, or very likely to take some action to avoid traffic congestion on the Friday of the event. The equivalent figures for the Friday morning peak period are 84 and 76 per cent respectively just under 60 per cent of drivers say they’d be definitely likely to take one or other of the congestion avoidance options discussed in relation to their usual Friday morning trip (58 per cent of those from the region (ex north) and 59 per cent of those from the north). This indicates a strong willingness to modify behaviour to avoid being involved in potentially heavy traffic congestion just under sixty per cent of drivers say they’d be definitely likely to take one or other of the congestion avoidance options discussed in relation to their usual Friday morning trip (58% of those from the region (ex north) and 59% of those from the north). This indicates a strong willingness to modify behaviour to avoid being involved in potential heavy traffic congestion. a minority, eight per cent of drivers from the north, say they couldn’t, or wouldn’t consider any of the travel behaviour modification options discussed in relation to Friday travel. This reduces to six percent in the rest of the region. the balance of drivers, 11 per cent in the Auckland region (excluding north) and 15 per cent in the northern area surveyed are less certain about what action might take – but would consider, or have some likelihood to take at least one option to avoid traffic congestion. interest in attending the potential event is also high. Around 1 in 6 drivers surveyed say they will definitely attend. in total, over 40 per cent of drivers interviewed in each area indicated some likelihood to attend (43 per cent in North Shore City, 43 per cent in northern area and 44 per cent in the rest of the Auckland region). indicated use of public transport to travel to the event is high among potential patrons. The majority of those indicating some likelihood to attend the event say they would be very likely to use public transport to travel to the event (66 per cent in the region (ex north), 72 per cent in the northern area and 73 per cent in North Shore City). Interest in attending at the weekend is highest, though a reasonable proportion nominate Friday (either alone, or as part of attending all three days).

Cameron Parr, Auckland City’s group manager of group manager recreation and community services, says:

“This is a major piece of research. The result is significant. The public seems to be very willing to co-operate, to help make the event happen. People have been very generous and we look forward to working with them if the consent is granted.”

© Scoop Media

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