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Draft Guide to Pedestrian Facilites
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selection and design of pedestrian facilities is presently an imprecise art, made more
difficult by the age of some of the standards used and the need to use overseas
(particularly Australian) information. Some of this material is excellent and applicable
to New Zealand, but not all. However, most of our standards and approved practices are
unique. There exists no comprehensive publication containing at least basic requirements
and best practice. It is a sad truth that pedestrian injuries are remaining at the same level from year to year or even increasing and becoming a more significant percentage of all crash statistics. It is likely that part of the problem relates to not upgrading pedestrian facilities to meet modern needs, and persisting with or even installing facilities of inadequate design. The New Zealand Local Authority Traffic Institute Inc (TRAFINZ) has included the development of a guideline in its 2000/2001 Business Plan. The guideline is still in a draft from and input from both professionals and user groups such as the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind is essential. It is a distinct possibility that some matters may not be resolved to everybody’s satisfaction but the intension is to reduce the areas of uncertainty as much as possible, and reflect the best practice that complies with all formal requirements (e.g. by the Traffic Regulations). It is recognised that professionals may not wish to be tied to a single design for some facilities and may wish to preserve local styles. Provided the essence of sound design is maintained there is no reason to limit individual approaches. Indeed, traffic problems are often unique and therefore require a unique solution. What is important though, is for drivers to find a reasonably uniform layout treatment throughout the country, and not encounter sudden surprises. Some devices double as traffic calming features and the extent to which they are signed or identified for pedestrians and other road users needs to be spelt out. For any further enquiries,
contact Phone (03) 941 8950 |
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