Transit New Zealand

National Office

31 August 2006

Media Release

Latest Travel Time Survey shows congestion is easing

Transit New Zealand’s latest Travel Time Survey shows congestion is easing in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga compared to last year, while in Christchurch it is increasing.

Twice a year Transit uses Travel Time Surveys in Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga and once a year in Christchurch, to monitor congestion and improve the efficiency and operation of state highways.

For the surveys, GPS-instrumented vehicles are driven over specific sections state highways and local roads during three peak travel time periods each day, on five consecutive week-days. 

The 2006 results show that the historic trend of increasing congestion is stabilising, and in some cases, there has been a slight improvement in congestion from previous years.

In Auckland, Wellington, and Tauranga, the majority of average actual travel speeds have remained steady, or have increased compared to March 2005

In Christchurch average actual travel speeds have decreased across all time periods compared to March 2005.

A noticeable seasonal pattern emerging from the surveys is that November statistics appear more favourable than those of March, particularly in the morning peak period.  This trend is so significant, that a direct comparison between March and November survey results is not relevant. The reason for this difference is still being investigated.  Travel time survey comparisons are drawn on an assessment of the annual results, comparing, for example, March 2006 with March 2005.

Other measures Transit is using to monitor and manage congestion include the introduction of ramp signals at on-ramps in Auckland over the next two years, to improve traffic flows and make journey times more reliable. Transit also manages and monitors traffic across all Auckland state highways and local roads in collaboration with local councils at its ATTOMS Traffic Management Centre. Regular updates to radio stations and variable messaging signs are some of the ways Transit keeps drivers informed to improve travel time reliability.

Measures like this, combined with Travel Time Surveys, enable Transit to better target congestion management.

Full survey results and background information are available on Transit’s website. Please click on the link: http://www.transit.govt.nz/road/travel-time.jsp

Roly Frost General Manager Network Operations

For further information contact:
Marie Watson,
Communications Advisor
Transit New Zealand
Ph 04 496 6639
Email: marie.watson@transit.govt.nz