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Atkinson Road, Titirangi - Raised Zebra Crossing Atkinson Road, Titirangi - Raised Zebra Crossing

Proposal status: Feedback closed 5 July 2021

Reference number: MIP1920-048

Proposal outcome

In June 2021, we proposed changes to improve road crossing safety for pedestrians and school children who cross the road on Atkinson Road in Titirangi. These changes are in response to requests from the community to improve safety for children crossing the road as they walk to Glen Eden Intermediate School. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal. 

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed during the 2022 to 2023 financial year. We will be in touch with residents and business prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge. The majority of respondents were supportive of the proposal, noting that it will help slow cars down and make it safer for all the school children and families to cross the road on the way to school and the park. Another theme of the positive feedback is that it will also help people driving in and out of the car park and their properties to access the driveways more easily on this busy stretch of road.  

A summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them is below. 

Location and Visibility 

  • Concern that this is not the best place for the crossing. Cars speed along this bendy stretch of road, in both directions but especially down the hill, where there is a blind corner. People on the crossing cannot see cars coming very well and drivers do not have enough time to realise there is a pedestrian crossing and to slow down. Drivers having to stop suddenly for people on the crossing will contribute to more crashes here. 
    Our pedestrian survey data indicated that the pedestrian desire line (the most comfortable route for a person to walk between two places) lies along the proposed location. Constructing a pedestrian crossing outside of the desire line can result in the crossing not being utilised by pedestrians which would negate the intended outcome of the proposal. The area will be well signed and marked to warn drivers of pedestrians crossing and queuing well in advance of the pedestrian crossing. Drivers will also need to reduce their speed as they approach the crossing. However, we appreciate your concerns and we will monitor the situation and take any further mitigation measures as needed.  
  • Request for more and better signage for drivers to warn them in advance they are approaching a crossing and to slow down. Suggestion to include flashing belisha beacons and install automatic LED cat’s eyes that light up when the crossing is being used. 
    All the required signage and road marking will be in place to ensure drivers are warned well in advance.  
  • Request for pedestrian barriers on either side of the crossing so people can only cross at the crossing. 
    Observations and pedestrian count data has indicated this location to be on the pedestrian desire line. We will monitor the usage of the crossing after implementation and take further measures should it be deemed necessary. 
  • Suggestion for broken yellow lines along the even numbered side of the street from the crossing to Captain Scott Road to increase visibility for people using the crossing, especially children. 
    Broken yellow lines are painted on both sides of the proposed crossing to provide the required sightline for pedestrians. However, excessive broken yellow lines can result in increased speeds by vehicles which we wish to discourage. We will monitor the situation after implementation and take further measures should it be deemed necessary. 

 

Speed Concerns 

  • Concern that driver speeds are high in this area. Request for additional speed reducing measures such as the crossing is high enough to slow driver speeds. 
    The raised crossing will be built to standard specifications appropriate for a 50km/h road which are sufficient to significantly reduce driving speeds. 
  • Request for more speed bumps up Atkinson Road towards Pleasant Road. 
    We are currently working to a plan to reduce speeds on Auckland’s roads. This plan targets the highest priority areas based on the level of safety risk measured for each road on our network. The initial roll out of speed reduction is focused on approximately 10 per cent of our road network, including residential areas.  

This programme focuses delivery to areas that have been prioritised for changes to reduce the incidence and impact of crashes. This is based on several factors, including the number of crashes, safety risk, traffic speed, land use and concerns raised by local residents and their elected representatives.  

While we do appreciate your concerns, Atkinson Road has not been identified in the first group of areas within our Residential Speed Management programme as other areas in the region are experiencing higher speeds and safety risk. We have added your comments to our database to indicate support for safer speeds in your residential area. More information, including the residential areas that will be prioritised for further investigation can be viewed here: 

  • Request for more mid-road islands up and down Atkinson Road to reduce driver speeds and prevent cars travelling on the wrong side of the road. 
    These are pedestrian refuge islands to assist pedestrians crossing the road and installed based on pedestrian crossing demands. 

 

Design Issues 

  • Concern that turning right out of driveways over the raised table will be difficult. 
    Our tracking plans have indicated that vehicles should have no issues exiting/entering driveways adjacent to the crossing. 
  • Concern that the properties near the raised table will be flooded in heavy rain. The drains have recently been repaired and upgraded. Suggest stormwater catchpits on both sides of the crossing. 
    Stormwater water drainage will be investigated in detailed design. 
  • Concern the raised crossing is not too steep so buses, emergency service vehicles and lowered vehicles do not scrape over it or get stuck. 
    A safety audit will be undertaken after construction to ensure the raised crossing is built to specifications.  
  • Concern that raised crossings are dangerous speed bumps for drivers and motorcycles. 
    A safety audit will be undertaken after construction to ensure the raised crossing is built to specifications. There is no danger imposed to drivers as long as it is driven over at the speed specified. 

 

Kaurilands Domain 

  • Concern it is dangerous turning out of the carpark for Kaurilands Domain as the trees and other vegetation block the view of the road. Request the trees are cleared or strongly pruned so there is clear visibility up to Captain Scott Road for drivers exiting the car park. 
    We will submit a request with the council to trim back any vegetation which restricts visibility 
  • Concern it is dangerous turning right into the Kaurilands Domain carpark. The median strip is not wide enough to stop safely to prepare for the turn and drivers travelling north often are driving over it. 
    Drivers intending to turn right can wait on the carriageway until they find a suitable gap. Other drivers following behind are expected to wait. There have been no reported crashes in the last 5 years, according to Waka Kotahi’s Crash Analysis System Database, to indicate any inherent safety issues of the layout at this location. 

 

Captain Scott Road Intersection 

  • Request another raised crossing on the start of Captain Scott Road. This is a very busy spot on a blind rise for school children to cross. 
    This will be investigated as a separate project. 
  • Suggest Atkinson Road between Captain Scott and Pleasant/Norman Roads should be a clearway with no parking on either side. Drivers park poorly and restrict both the flow of traffic and view of the road 
    Auckland Transport considers a street narrow if it is less than 6.8 metres wide. The width of Atkinson Road varies between 7.2 and 8 metres. A street width of 6.8 metres allows for two metres of parallel parking on each side of the road while still allowing 2.8 metres for a through lane for drivers. Emergency services have also confirmed this is the minimum space required for their vehicles to have access. While parked vehicles may reduce the traffic flow to a single lane, there are several opportunities where opposing vehicles can pass at driveways. Parked vehicles can also make the road appear narrow to drivers and this can encourage slower speeds which generally improves road safety in the area.   
  • Concern it is dangerous turning out of Captain Scott Road at busy times with unsafe driving behaviour to complete turns. A raised crossing will make it more dangerous. Suggest that traffic lights with a pedestrian control button are installed at this intersection. 
    This intersection does not meet the safety concern requirements to warrant being signalised. The proposed raised crossing will help to reduce speeds in the vicinity, therefore providing more gaps and making it easier for vehicles to turn out. There will be signage to warn motorists of the crossing. 

 

Raised Crossing 

  • Multiple concerns that raising the crossing will slow drivers down, add to congestion, especially at school pickup and drop-off, and create driver frustration. 
    A pedestrian crossing on a raised table is now the standard design on a 50km/h road. The raised crossing reduces drivers approach speeds, which improves safety for crossing pedestrians. Congestion will increase regardless of whether the crossing is flush or raised as it is formalised, meaning drivers are obliged to give way to pedestrians intending to cross. We will put signs to warn drivers of potential queues.  
  • Suggestions that what is already there works fine, does not need to be changed and is a waste of money. 
    Our investigation showed large pedestrian crossing demands at this location. This proposal accommodates pedestrians by giving them priority and reducing driving speeds, thereby improving pedestrian safety in the area. 
  • Suggest that few people use the existing crossing point and it creates safety issues when it is used. A better solution is needed here to meet needs of both pedestrians and drivers. 
    Our previous observations and pedestrian count data have indicated this location lies on the pedestrian desire line. Pedestrians are prioritised as it is a formalised crossing. The raised crossing lowers approach speeds, which improves safety. 
  • Question if this site has been visited and studied. 
    Numerous site observations have been undertaken during investigation, and a pedestrian survey was undertaken to ascertain the desire line of the pedestrians. 
  • Request to see the pedestrian counts for this section of road. 
    In the pedestrian survey undertaken on 21/03/2019 from 7:30am to 6:45pm, Atkinson Road was divided into sections between #28 and #58. Between #34 and #40, Section C recorded the largest number of pedestrians crossing Atkinson Road. Section B was across Captain Scott Road, which will be investigated as a separate project. Section A – 6; Section B – 101; Section C – 64; Section D – 4; Section E – 6; Section F – 18; Section G – 22 

Miscellaneous Request 

  • Request to reseal the rest of Atkinson Road and the same time as this project. 
    This concern will be passed onto the maintenance team who overlooks the resealing programme to investigate. However, any parts of the road affected by this project will be resealed. 
  • Concern the project is receiving funding from the Regional Fuel Tax as this should be used to ease congestion, not safety projects. 
    A regional fuel tax provides a way for regional councils to raise revenue to fund transport projects in their region that would otherwise be delayed or not funded, including road safety improvements. 
  • Concern that the footpaths in this are very narrow and unsafe (CRM case no. CAS-389427-J0T3D2). Request they are made safer at the same time as the new crossing is installed for a more holistic improvement of this area. 
    Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will investigate this as a separate project 

We're proposing improvements in your area

Aucklanders have told us that moving around our city safely and easily is important to them. We are proposing some improvements to your area.

The community has asked us to make it safer for the many school children who cross the road on Atkinson Road in Titirangi. To improve safety on this busy section of road we are proposing to install a new raised zebra crossing.

The changes we are proposing:

  • Replace the existing pedestrian island crossing with a new zebra crossing that is raised to a platform level with the footpath.
  • Restore and widen the footpath near the crossing.
  • Install tactile pavers which are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to the crossing and safely cross the road.
  • Install new signs and road markings to support the new crossing layout.
  • Install new street lights on both sides of the street.

Download the proposal drawing for Atkinson Road (PDF 1.6MB)

We have been asked to improve safety for children crossing the road as they walk to Glen Eden Intermediate School, the local park and bus stops. Installing a raised pedestrian crossing will help to slow down driving speeds, give people crossing the road the right of way and make it easier for drivers and people crossing to see each other. The new streetlights will also help improve visibility.

Give your feedback for Atkinson Road

If you would like to post in your feedback, download and print our feedback form template, fill in your details and send it 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

  • These works are supported by the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax.

Titirangi: 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 Atkinson 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).