New Speed And Message Signs In Ngauranga Gorge

23 January 2000

Transit’s Traffic Operations Manager Rod James says the Active Traffic Management System (ATMS) will be in operation from the end of this month, and motorists need to be aware that the speed limit that will be displayed on the electronic signs will be the legal limit.

“Motorists need to be very clear that what those signs say is the speed limit and has the same status as any fixed speed limit sign”

Mr James says because of the high public interest in the project he’s anticipating few problems. However, he says, motorists will be introduced gradually to the variable speed limits and the electronic messages.

“We’re not going to be varying the speed limit for the first couple of weeks the signs will stay at 80 kph unless there is a major accident or breakdown.”

Over the past twelve months, State Highway 1 Ngauranga Gorge road users have watched the building of Wellington’s first Active Traffic Management System (ATMS). Purpose built poles now host cameras and large electronically controlled variable message and speed signs that will be used to monitor and manage traffic on this section of the motorway.

“Eventually the new system will be used to ease traffic congestion at peak times, and provide the means for police to deal with incidents more effectively,” Mr James says.

“Video cameras at various points along the Ngauranga Gorge have been in operation for some months and have already been used by police on a number of occasions to identify incidents and provide for a more rapid and effective response.” Using the cameras, police have been able to get the detailed view of these incidents that has allowed them to respond more effectively”

“When fully operational the system itself will prepare an appropriate response plan for the operators, consisting of a series of warning messages and changes to the speed limit,”

The larger variable message signs will be operational from today [23rd January] and the smaller speed/lane control signs will be turned on permanently from 1st February.

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