Taharoto Road, Takapuna - Intersection improvements Taharoto Road, Takapuna - Intersection improvements

Taharoto Road signalisation

• Customer witnessed many young children crossing the road here and they would prefer a second pedestrian crossing at the other side of the intersection as well, since that’s nearest to the bus stop. 
  An extra pedestrian crossing was considered during feasibility stages to improve pedestrian connectivity. To undertake this, there would a number of trees removed along the eastern side of Taharoto  Road by the bus stop and a significant earthworks to level the footpath area to provide a crossing point. Thus it was decided to provide one crossing across Taharoto Road. The third  crossing may be revisited for the safety corridor study for the length of Taharoto Road.
• Customer has never seen pedestrians crossing here, and they don’t think another signalised crossing along Taharoto Road is warranted. There are plenty of signalised crossings already, and the proposal would only cause congestion.
  There is no safe pedestrian crossing provided across Taharoto Road for a significant length between Northcote Road and Dominion Street. Pedestrian surveys undertaken on Taharoto Road indicate there is a number of pedestrians crossing the road. Signalisation times of the Taharoto Road and Karaka Street intersection will be considered with nearby signals to provide efficient traffic flow. The phasing of some of the intersections nearby is not optimal, leading to very long wait times at an empty intersection.
• The phasing of some of the intersections nearby is not optimal, leading to very long wait times at an empty intersection. 
  Traffic signal controls along Taharoto Road from Anzac Street to Northcote Road are being reviewed as part of our greater Taharoto Road corridor study. It is our goal to optimise signal phasing along the route.
• For pedestrians it takes so long to wait at the other nearby intersections, the customer just crosses the road elsewhere, away from the traffic lights and is enquiring how this will be different here.
  Traffic signal controls along Taharoto Road from Anzac Street to Northcote Road are being reviewed as part of our greater Taharoto Road corridor study. It is our goal to optimise signal phasing along the route. This should also improve pedestrian amenities.
• Question about how many seconds someone will have available to cross the street.
  This will be determined during the detail design stage. We are aware of the fact that this intersection will be used by children and elderly people and we will provide enough time to cross the road.
• Request for a free turn onto/out off Karaka Street during off-peak hours as this location is not very busy at these times.
  A free turn from Karaka Street was considered during initial investigation for the proposed traffic signals. It was decided that the safer option is to not have a slip lane at this intersection. Furthermore traffic modelling undertaken for this option does not indicate there will be a significant increase in delay to left turning traffic.
• Suggestion that the same can be accomplished with a smaller signalised crossing for pedestrians only, somewhere further down the road. The proposed crossing is too big and seems expensive.
  A mid block crossing was initially investigated as a potential option. However, moving the crossing further down the road would place the crossing too close to the Taharoto Road/Dominion Street intersection. Having two signal controlled facilities in close proximity could cause excessive queuing which could extend and block the Taharoto/Dominion intersection. This creates multiple safety issues such as an increase in 'turning through queue' crashes, 'rear end' crashes as well as undesirable delays for the side roads.

Karaka Street road-end/signals

• A lot remodelling of Karaka Street has taken place already. Question as to why this is being changed again and if this is the best outcome.
  The proposal at this intersection has come from a recommendation to investigate the potential to provide safe pedestrian crossings due to the fatal crash that occurred nearby in late 2016.  Initially, standalone midblock signalised pedestrian crossings were considered. However, suitable locations north or south of the intersection could not be determined due to pedestrian demand and physical constraints. In the end, we proposed to signalise the intersection as the most suitable solution. Furthermore, signalisation of the intersection of this intersection is in alignment with recommendations from the Taharoto Road corridor study.
• Karaka Road is not busy and not a through road, therefore a suggestion it does not need double exit lanes and/or signalisation. Signalising this road would just increase traffic at other unsignalised junctions. A request to please remove the double lanes and/or signalisation from the proposal and a related request to please push kerbs further inward to narrow pedestrian crossing distance.
  The double lane exit is to provide adequate vehicle flow from the side road.  Having a single lane on Karaka Street would create excessive delays on the Taharoto Road due to needing additional green time to clear the observed queues.
• Signalising Karaka Street would mean too many people have to wait for only one or two cars exiting or entering Karaka Street.
  Traffic modelling undertaken shows the queues will not be worse by signalising the Karaka Street.

Pedestrian crossing location and necessity

• Customer doesn't think the crossing is warranted here as they hardly ever see people cross at this location.
  Pedestrian surveys undertaken on Taharoto Road indicate there is a number of pedestrians crossing the road.  Signalisation times of the Taharoto Road and Karaka Street intersection will be considered with nearby signals to provide efficient traffic flow.
• Customer thinks this is great as they see people, including young children, crossing here all the time.
  Thank you for your support, this proposal was designed to accommodate pedestrians.
• Suggestion that the crossing needs to be further south, to where the football fields are.
  This would require removing of a number of trees along the eastern side of Taharoto Road by the bus stop and significant earthworks to level the footpath area to provide a crossing point.  Thus it was decided to provide one crossing across Taharoto Road. The third crossing may be revisited for the safety corridor study for the length of Taharoto Road.
• Suggestion that the crossing needs to be further North as this is where the customer's bus stop is, and where many people are crossing the road near the health centre.
  Additional pedestrian crossing points are being investigated along Taharoto Road from Anzac Street to Northcote Road. We will incorporate this request in our investigation.
• The proposal is too extreme, a zebra with Belisha lights at some distance from the intersection would be more desirable.
  Zebra crossings across multiple traffic lanes are not recommended and is not considered safe due to a lack of inter-visibility and motorists not stopping for pedestrians. This will likely result in worse safety outcomes for pedestrians crossing the road.

Taharoto Road - big picture

• Customer would like to see a better separation of the cycleway on Taharoto Road, it has become such a dangerous place to ride.
  Safety improvements for all road users is being investigated along Taharoto Road from Anzac Street to Northcote Road. We will incorporate your feedback in this study.
• Question about what crossing points are proposed on Taharoto Road more broadly.
  Additional pedestrian crossing points are being investigated along Taharoto Road from Anzac Street to Northcote Road. Specific details are not yet confirmed, any additional improvements will be consulted separately.
• Some vegetation near the exit of the football field should be removed to improve visibility.
  This feedback has been passed on to our maintenance team.
• Customer sees people crossing the red lights all the time and is asking if possible to introduce extra measures, such as red flashing when the traffic light is about to turn (like on Fanshawe Street), at the proposed location, and elsewhere along Taharoto Road?
  Safety improvements for all road users is being investigated along Taharoto Road from Anzac Street to Northcote Road. We will incorporate your feedback in this study.
• Please assess the option for better signage at the top of Fred Thomas Drive. This is a confusing location leading to drivers ignoring the current signs.
  This feedback has been noted and will be considered as part of the recommendations from the Taharoto Road corridor study which looks to improve safety along the route.
• Suggestion to get more measures that promote public transport use and decrease traffic, such as further road narrowing and a T3 lane along Taharoto Road. This aligns with our Mayor’s request to AT to improve carbon emissions. More PT means less cars, so also less safety issues along Taharoto Road.
  This feedback has been noted and will be considered as part of the recommendations from the Taharoto Road corridor study which looks to improve safety along the route.

Parking issues

• Smales farm and other local businesses are taking up a lot of free street parking on this street, this is not fair to the ratepayers. Please investigate parking restrictions such as paid parking.
  This feedback will be referred to Auckland Transport’s parking team for further assessment.
• Parking at the community hall is being used by employees of nearby businesses, and there is not enough room for actual visitors of the community hall to park there.
  Parking at the community hall is not within Auckland Transport’s jurisdiction.  It is recommended that issues with parking are to be discussed with owner of the community hall, or Auckland Council if it is a council owned community hall.
• Please consider paid parking in the area for employees.
  This feedback will be referred to Auckland Transport’s parking team for further assessment.