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Medallion Drive, Oteha - Raised Zebra Crossing Medallion Drive, Oteha - Raised Zebra Crossing

Proposal status: Closed

Reference number: SSM2122-005

Proposal outcome

In September 2022, we proposed to install a raised zebra crossing on Medallion Drive just before the corner of Meridian Court. After reviewing all the feedback received on this proposal, we are proceeding with the work as proposed.

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal of improving safety across Auckland and contribute towards fulfilling the Central Government mandate of improving safety around schools by lowering driving speeds.

What happens next

We anticipate the construction of the raised crossing and other supporting works will begin between April and October 2023.

We may need to delay the work or make other plans depending on the weather. If that happens, we’ll update this webpage. We will be in touch again with local residents and businesses before any construction takes place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.

Here is a summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them:

Raised Pedestrian Crossing

  • Request not to construct any raised pedestrian crossings in this area as they are not effective at improving safety and will cause traffic congestion and damage local vehicles.
    The proposed changes on Medallion Drive are to provide local pedestrians and students from Oteha Valley School with a safer crossing and to promote safer speeds along Medallion Drive. Raised zebra crossings have been proven to be an effective way of slowing vehicles to 30km/h or less, which is a speed which greatly reduces the chances of a pedestrian being killed or seriously injured. The proposed crossing is not expected to increase traffic congestion and will not damage vehicles if they cross at appropriate speeds.
  • Request for supporting data that raised pedestrian crossings improve road safety.
    Research from various road safety organisations, such as Austroads and the International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD), shows that a direct impact speed of 30km/h is the maximum a healthy human body can withstand without sustaining serious life changing injuries. Research also indicates that the death risk is about 4 to 5 times higher in collisions between a car and a pedestrian on foot at 50km/h, compared to the same type of collisions at 30km/h.

    The 2018 IRTAD Speed and Crash Risk report found that if the speed of impact increases from 30km/h to 40km/h, the risk of fatal injury is almost doubled.

    A study was undertaken in 2021 at raised crossings on Gossamer Drive and Sandringham Road in Auckland. Data was collected for a 7-day period near the crossings and on the approaches and departures of the crossing. This study found that the mean speed of vehicles ranged between 20 to 25 km/h at the crossing point. International studies have also found significant reductions in speed on the approaches to similar traffic calming devices.
  • Concern that the raised zebra crossing is not necessary as there is a set of traffic lights close by at Oteha Valley Road.
    Many pedestrians and students heading towards the school from south of this location do not walk all the way up to the signalised intersection on Oteha Valley Road, which is approximately 120m away. The raised pedestrian crossing we have proposed will significantly improve the safety of these pedestrians by providing a safe crossing at a location which experiences a lot of foot traffic.
  • Concern that the construction of the raised zebra crossing will increase traffic congestion.
    We will aim to construct this project during school holidays to minimise disruption to road users.
  • Request to move the raised pedestrian crossing further south towards the roundabout (about halfway between Meridian Court and the roundabout).
    The location of the proposed crossing is positioned closer to the school as it is intended to provide a safe location for students to cross Medallion Drive. Additionally, due to the location of driveways and indented parking bays along Medallion Drive, the proposed location also minimises the number of parking spaces being removed, which is an important consideration.

Signage & Road Markings

  • Suggestion to install warning ridges or bumps before the crossing to warn approaching drivers of the new raised crossing.
    We will install advance warning signage on both approaches to the crossing to make sure that drivers are aware of its presence.

We're proposing improvements in your area

We are proposing to install a raised zebra crossing on Medallion Drive just before the corner of Meridian Court. This will provide pedestrians and local students from Oteha Valley School with a safer crossing and promote safer speeds. We ask for just a few minutes of your time to give us your feedback.

We are proposing to:

  • Install a zebra crossing on top of a speed bump, raised to the height of the footpath, on Medallion Drive just before the corner of Meridian Court. The speed bump is flat and wide with a gradual slope at one end. This makes it more comfortable for larger vehicles and their passengers.
  • Install raised traffic islands in the centre of the raised zebra crossing. This will narrow the width of the lanes which will also encourage lower driving speeds at the zebra crossing.
  • Install tactile pavers which are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people find their way to the crossing and safely cross the road.
  • Install road markings and signage to support the upgraded crossing. This will remove 2 parking spaces on Medallion Drive.

Download the proposal drawing for Medallion Drive (PDF 402KB)

We would like to work with you to deliver safer roads in your neighbourhood. This upgrade would provide a safer place for people to cross the road on Medallion Drive, as it would:

  • Slow motorists to a safer speed.
  • Raise pedestrians, especially school children from Oteha Valley School, crossing the road to be at eye-level of approaching motorists, making them easier to see.
  • Make it more comfortable for everyone, including people with prams and wheelchairs, to cross the road as the crossing is flush with the footpath.

We understand that removing parking can be inconvenient, so we have minimised the removal of parking as much as possible while ensuring clear lines of sight pedestrians at the zebra crossing.

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 proposal is supported with funding from the Auckland regional fuel tax.

Oteha: 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 Medallion Drive 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).