Getting there - On Foot, By Cycle - Priority 2 Part 4
Last updated on
22/06/2010 5:08 p.m.
A strategy to advance walking and cycling in New Zealand transport
February 2005
Christchurch 40 kilometre-per-hour temporary school speed zone trial
Christchurch City Council has an ongoing 'Safe Routes to School's programme to improve the safety of children as they go to school. In 2000, to support this work, the Christchurch City Council decided it wanted to trial temporary speed zones outside schools. The Council approached the Land Transport Safety Authority (now Land Transport New Zealand-Safety) to enable the project to be undertaken as a national trial.
Christchurch 40KpH sign
The trial involved the use of 40 kilometre-per-hour speed limit signs operating during school commuting times, together with associated publicity. As well as reducing traffic speeds and raising motorists' awareness, a key objective was to change parents' perceptions of safety so that they would consider allowing their children to walk or cycle to school. Monitoring of traffic speeds after the trials showed that 96% of people noticed lower speeds around the zones. This was generally borne out by the speed measurements taken. Speed reductions were greatest where a school was not readily visible from the road, and on roads with normal speed limits of 60 kilometres per hour or 70 kilometres per hour rather than 50 kilometres per hour. A survey of motorists indicated strong acceptance of the zones, in part because motorists perceived only a minor inconvenience, especially since the 40-kilometre-per-hour speed limit was restricted to peak school commuting times. Overall, the zones were strongly supported by parents and the broader community, with 92% of those surveyed about the trial saying they would like to see more such zones in Christchurch. More than half the parents surveyed said they would encourage more walking and cycling to school by their children with such zones in place. The Land Transport Safety Authority deemed the trial a success and authorised nationwide application of the programme in 2002. In Christchurch, the City Council has an ongoing programme to put in place about three such zones per year. By the end of 2004, there were 12 zones in the city, benefiting 15 schools.
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