Kepa Road, Orakei – Pedestrian improvements Kepa Road, Orakei – Pedestrian improvements
Proposal status: Feedback closed 24 August 2021
Reference number: RSU2021-051
Proposal outcome
In August 2021, we proposed to install a raised zebra crossing to improve pedestrian safety on Kepa Road, Ōrākei, as this location has a history of crashes over the last five years. This project is part of our region-wide programme to improve pedestrian safety across our city and will help support our Vision Zero goal.
After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the following minor changes:
- We have removed the raised speed table on Coates Avenue from the design.
- We decided to keep the crossing in the same location as the existing crossing. We will now be upgrading the existing crossing to a raised zebra crossing.
Download the updated drawing for Kepa Road (PDF 1.6MB)
What happens next
We anticipate the changes will be constructed in the current 2021/22 financial year, before June 2022. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.
Community feedback
Thank you for adding your voice to this proposal. Your local knowledge has helped us make this decision for your neighbourhood. The majority of respondents did not support this proposal. The common concerns raised were about increased traffic congestion due to the introduction of a raised speed bump on Kepa Road, as well concerns about moving the crossing west toward Coates Avenue.
We have listened to the feedback that we received and have amended the design to address the concerns the community raised. We are no longer installing the raised table on Coates Avenue, and the raised zebra crossing will stay in the same location as the existing crossing on Kepa Road. Those in support of the proposal noted that it would improve pedestrian safety on Kepa Road and provide a safer place to cross.
The following is a summary of the concerns and comments from the community, and our responses to them.
Coates Avenue speed table
- Concern that there is no need for the raised table on Coates Avenue and that it will cause congestion.
Thank you for providing feedback and for raising your concerns about the proposed speed table on Coates Avenue. Auckland Transport can confirm that the speed table on Coates Avenue has been removed from the project based on community feedback. - Suggestion that the high friction surface is extended into Coates Avenue.
Thanks for your feedback. Based on the community feedback received, we have decided that the new crossing on Kepa Road will be installed where the existing crossing is located. In addition, the speed table on Coates Avenue has now been removed from project, therefore we will not be installing high friction surfacing on Coates Avenue at this stage. - Suggestion we add a zebra crossing to the raised table on Coates Avenue, and add a raised zebra crossing on the northbound side of Coates Avenue.
Thank you for your feedback and suggestion for a raised zebra crossing on Coates Avenue. Based on the feedback from the consultation, we won’t be making any changes to Coates Avenue at this time.
Kepa Road raised zebra crossing
- Query about the number of people who are using the existing crossing.
Auckland Transport has undertaken surveys of pedestrians using the crossing, and it was noted that 47 northbound pedestrians and 27 southbound pedestrians were observed crossing Kepa Road over a 6-hour period. - Concern that the crossing is not necessary and a waste of money.
Auckland Transport is committed to delivering our Vision Zero Strategy and providing safer crossing facilities for pedestrians across Auckland. An important part of this strategy is to ensure that if a crash involving vulnerable users happens, for example due to a driver’s error at a zebra crossing, it must be at survivable speeds at or below 30 km/h. A raised zebra crossing was proposed at this location because it is one of the most efficient ways of slowing down high driver speeds near pedestrian crossings. - Concern that slowing traffic on Kepa Road would frustrate drivers and cause congestion.
Due to the location of the crossing we have opted for a lower speed table, recognising the importance of Kepa Road as a major vehicle traffic corridor. The proposed raised crossing will be 75mm high (instead of the usual 100mm height), with 1:15 entry ramp (instead of the usual 1:10). This will minimise the impact on congestion on Kepa Road. - Concern the raised crossing could be noisy for nearby residents.
Vehicle speeds on Kepa Road are a concern for Auckland Transport and the proposed raised crossing will help reduce vehicle speeds on Kepa Road, especially near the pedestrian crossing.
As Kepa Road is on a bus route, the raised speed table crossing will have a steeper ramp gradient on the approach to the ramp to slow down vehicles. A shallower gradient on the departure off the ramp will reduce the noise of heavy vehicles, and vehicles with trailers, travelling over the speed table. The proposed raised crossing will be 75mm high (instead of the usual 100mm height), with 1:15 entry ramp (instead of the usual 1:10). This will further minimise the noise of vehicles travelling over the raised table.
Crossing relocation
- Query about why the crossing is being moved west.
- Concern that the moved crossing would be too close to the brow of the hill.
- Concern moving the crossing closer to Coates Ave will increase congestion.
- Concern that the crossing would be moved farther from facilities like the community centre, petrol station, shops, and bus stops.
- Concern that moving the crossing West will be dangerous because the drivers turning left onto Kepa Road from Coates Avenue will be concentrating on traffic approaching on their right rather than looking out for pedestrians using the crossing.
- Suggestion the crossing is left where it is.
Thank you for your feedback and raised concerns on the relocation of the zebra crossing. Based on the community feedback that we have received, we will be installing the proposed raised zebra crossing on Kepa Road where the existing pedestrian crossing is located.
Suggestions for alternatives
- Suggestion to install a signalised pedestrian crossing.
Due to the number of pedestrians crossing here and the high number of vehicles travelling on Kepa Road daily, it was decided that a raised zebra crossing was the best option to provide a safe crossing point that will not cause increased delays for drivers. At this point we will not be signalising the crossing, as it would cause congestion issues. - Suggestion that flashing lights are installed instead.
Thank you for your suggestion that flashing lights are installed instead. The proposed speed table will include LED beacons on the kerbside at the zebra crossing and on the central island, which will alert drivers to the upcoming crossing at all times of the day. The existing street lighting will ensure that pedestrians using the crossing are visible during low lit hours of the day. If the lighting ever fails or is broken you can log maintenance requests with Auckland Transport on: (09) 355 3553 - Suggestion that the crossing is not raised.
Auckland Transport is committed to delivering our Vision Zero Strategy, and providing safer crossing facilities for pedestrians across Auckland. An important part of this strategy is to ensure that if a crash involving vulnerable users happens, for example due to a driver’s error at a zebra crossing, it must be at survivable speeds at or below 30 km/h. A raised crossing was proposed because it is one of the most efficient ways to reduce high vehicle speeds near pedestrian crossing facilities. - Suggestion that additional lighting and signage should be installed next to the existing crossing instead.
Thank you for your feedback. Based on the community feedback that we received, we are now planning to construct the raised crossing on Kepa Road where the existing pedestrian crossing is located. Because the crossing is staying in the same location (but is being upgraded), the existing street lighting will ensure that pedestrians using the crossing are visible to drivers during low lit hours of the day. If the lighting ever fails or is broken you can log maintenance requests with Auckland Transport on: (09) 355 3553
We're proposing improvements in your area
As part of the region-wide programme to improve pedestrian safety, we are proposing to upgrade a pedestrian crossing on Kepa Road to a raised zebra crossing. These changes aim to improve pedestrian safety in your neighbourhood.
We are proposing to:
- Move the crossing approximately 24 metres west from its current position near 152 Kepa Road. At the new location, we would install a raised zebra crossing, which is a pedestrian crossing on top of a wide, flat speed bump with a gentle slope for a smooth exit.
- Install a wide, flat speed bump on the Coates Avenue left turn lane.
- Install tactile pavers, which are yellow guidance markers that help visually impaired people find their way, at the new crossing.
- Paint new road markings and install signs to alert drivers to the crossing.
Our engineers have identified this crossing on Kepa Road as part of a programme to improve pedestrian safety across our city. This area has had a history of crashes over the last five years, and we have observed that the crossing is frequently used, especially by students of St Joseph’s School and their walking school bus.
By relocating the crossing to the west, we can install a raised zebra crossing, which increases the visibility of people crossing the road and makes drivers slow down as they approach the crossing. The raised table on Coates Avenue would help lower driving speeds before reaching the Coates Avenue-Kepa Road intersection and prepare drivers to stop at the pedestrian crossing if necessary. Together, these changes will improve the safety of the people walking and driving in the neighbourhood.
If you would like to post in your feedback, download and print our feedback form template, fill in your details and send it to Freepost using the address details on the form.
What happens next
- We’ll consider all the feedback we receive, and then decide the best way to move forward.
- We’ll post the outcome of this proposal and a summary of community feedback on this webpage.
- We can email you the proposal outcome as soon as it’s ready – just select that option when you fill in the survey.
More information
- This project is supported by the Regional Tax Fund.
Ōrākei: Safe with us
Auckland Transport cares for your safety. We want to make our roads safe for everyone, people walking and cycling, especially for our kids and senior citizens and people driving. Projects like this one around Kepa Road are another step towards our goal of achieving no deaths or serious injuries on our roads. We are guided by the Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving).