East Coast Road, Forrest Hill - Raised zebra crossing East Coast Road, Forrest Hill - Raised zebra crossing

Raised zebra crossing

• Suggestions to install a crossing with traffic lights instead of a zebra crossing. This is a residential, low speed environment and we consider a raised zebra crossing the most appropriate treatment for the location. The raised crossing will reduce driver speeds, encourage people to cross at this location and will reduce the severity of injury should a pedestrian be involved in a collision. Pedestrian crossings with traffic lights are usually considered on high traffic multilane arterial roads with significant crash history.
• Concern that the raised crossing is not suitable for vans, trucks and motorcycles. The project aims to slow drivers down to a safe speed at and near the crossing location. The design of the raised platform is considered appropriate for all vehicles including buses, trucks, motorcycles and cars towing a trailer or boat. The detailed design for this project will include the appropriate warning signs and road markings that will alert road users in advance approaching the platform.

Crossing locations

• Concerns that it is dangerous for the crossing to be located on a bend and that it is difficult to see people at the crossing. Suggestion to move the crossing towards Kenmure Avenue intersection to give approaching vehicles better visibility of waiting pedestrians. The crossing is located where the demand to cross the road is and it serves the nearby bus stops and schools in the area. We investigated alternative crossing locations, but they were considered not suitable due to site constraints such as driveways and visibility of the crossing. New broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) will make it easier for both drivers and people crossing to see each other. In addition, the raised table will slow driver speeds and improve pedestrian safety at the crossing.
  Moving the crossing towards the Kenmure Avenue intersection would reduce visibility for the southbound drivers to see both the crossing and pedestrians due to road geometry.
• Concerns that the crossing is located too close to the driveway of the new 10-unit development at 199/201 East Coast Road.  We will carry out vehicle tracking during the detail design phase to ensure that driveway movements are not compromised.

Safety

• Requests for broken yellow lines at various locations along this stretch of road. Concerns from some residents about difficultly entering and exiting driveways, and parked cars blocking visibility causing drivers travelling north to cross the centre line. The proposed broken yellow lines between 210 and 212 East Coast Road aim to ensure that vehicles do not have to cross the centre line travelling north. Past the driveway of 212 East Coast Road, the flush median ends leaving enough space for parking and for drivers travelling along East Coast Road. We need to balance the parking needs of residents and visitors whilst maintaining reasonable access to the road. Some parking has been retained between the bus stop and the proposed crossing as it helps to slow down drivers approaching the crossing without compromising the visibility of the crossing.
• Concern with visibility of the crossing for the vehicles using driveways outside 199/201 East Coast Road. The crossing is raised at its existing location and visibility will remain clear between the crossing and the driveway of 199/201 East Coast Road at the property boundary. In addition, we expect driver speeds approaching the crossing will be slower, making to easier for drivers exiting these driveways.
• Concerns that cars park too close to driveways. Concerns that this causes visibility issues and can force drivers into the middle of the road to avoid parked cars. We understand that vehicles parked on the road can sometimes be an inconvenience. Parking within one metre of a driveway is illegal and this is clearly outlined in the NZ Road Code. If a vehicle is parked within one metre of your driveway and blocking your access, please call parking enforcement on 09 355 3553 with vehicle details and enforcement shall be organised.
• Concern at the speed of cars travelling along East Coast Road. The changes we are making will help to slow drivers down to a safe speed around the crossing location.
• Concern that people cycle and use electric scooters, often at speed, on the footpath. It is illegal to ride a bicycle on footpath unless for mail delivery or if the cycle has very small wheels. Although electric scooters can be used on the footpath, the rider must operate the device at a safe speed and give way to pedestrians as required by Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency). The responsibility of enforcing illegal riding of cycles and electric scooters lies with NZ Police and not with AT.

Bus stop relocation

• Concern that the proposed bus stop location creates a pinch point as the road narrows and vehicles are also parked on the opposite side of the road. This issue was considered while developing the design. The changes we are making allow drivers to overtake a parked bus without passing into the oncoming traffic lane.
• Concerns that the new bus stop location will affect traffic flow. Suggestions include that it will be dangerous for vehicles waiting to turn right into driveways and that cars travelling south will have to cross the centre line in order to pass the bus. The width of both traffic lanes next to the proposed bus stop is approximately 7 metres. This allows drivers to pass each other and stay within the lane while a bus is at the bus stop. In addition the raised zebra crossing will slow driver speeds in the area, improving safety at this location.
• Suggestions to move the bus stop to other locations including 193 East Coast Road and 195 East Coast Road. Moving the bus stop to outside 193 or 195 East Coast Road was considered but not preferred as these locations are further away.
• Concern that the proposed bus stop location covers a driveway. Buses are generally only stationary for a short period of time at this bus stop, approximately 30-45 seconds. Therefore we consider that the operation of the driveway will be similar as existing.
• Suggestion that the existing location is better as it ensures that the buses are stopped out of the traffic. The existing bus stop is located on a bend. This causes the buses to stop away from the kerb. The greater the gap left between the bus body and the kerb, the higher the risk for bus passengers when they get on/off the bus, especially for mobility impaired passengers. Based on our vehicle tracking simulation, vehicles will be able to overtake a parked bus at the proposed bus stop without crossing over the centre line.