Major transport survey set to roll

Transit New Zealand, Environment Waikato, Hamilton City Council, and other Waikato councils, are undertaking a major transport survey to help determine how $4.4 billion worth of transport funds will be invested over the next decade.

The information gathered for the $2.2 million Waikato Regional Transport Model will be of both national and regional significance, given the very high traffic volumes that flow through and within the Waikato.

Data gathered will help with the delivery of major state highway projects, assist local councils and Transit New Zealand to manage their existing infrastructure, and in the planning of public transport in and around Hamilton City

The survey will involve:

· roadside interviews with motorists at 18 survey sites around the region from 25 February to 13 March

· asking 2000 households to complete a 24-hour travel diary during May

· interviews with public transport users later in the year

“The information we gather will play a key part in how transport-related spending is carried out in the next 10 years in our fast-growing region,” said project manager James Bevan.

“The Waikato region is part of a growth triangle that includes Auckland and Bay of Plenty. Transport infrastructure development is therefore crucial to both national and Waikato economic growth, road safety, and meeting social needs. We need to get a very clear picture of how and why people are traveling to help set priorities.”

The project will look at the impact of current and predicted traffic flows on existing routes, but also on major projects such as the Waikato Expressway, Te Rapa Bypass, the Kopu Bridge and other planned improvements.

Trial roadside interviews will be held from 11-14 February between 7am and 7pm. Motorists will be asked to stop at clearly marked and policed survey sites and some will be asked to spend about a few minutes answering questions. Participation in the survey is not compulsory, although stopping at the survey site is.

“We anticipate that motorists should be held up for no more than two to three minutes at the survey sites while waiting at stops or giving information,” said Mr Bevan.

“Given the importance of the data we’re collecting, we encourage all motorists to participate if asked. Road transport operators are being alerted to the survey process to help ensure no surprises for truckies.”

The full roadside interview programme will be carried out between 25 February and 13 March at 18 sites in the Waikato, again between 7am and 7pm.

The project is being led by Environment Waikato, Transit New Zealand and Hamilton City Council with contributions from the Waikato, Waipa, Matamata-Piako, Taupo and Thames Coromandel district Councils. Land Transport NZ is supporting this project, with over 70 per cent of the project costs coming from central Government.

“This project is a very good example of the strong, collaborative approach local councils and Transit New Zealand are taking over addressing transport issues in the Waikato,” said Mr Bevan.

Further details at http://www.ew.govt.nz/projects/wrtm.htm or 0800 958 687