The raised crossing, while improved, is still a source of significant morning congestion. AT's own rules recognise that raised crossings on important arterial routes have the potential for significant disruption, and so have set rules around the design of any raised platform to minimise the disruption. This raised crossing does not adhere to these rules, but AT does not appear to recognise this as a problem. We are now trying to engage with the Orakei Local Board who may have more influence with AT. A link to our letter to OLB is shown to the right. 

AT have made the contractor redo the approaches to the raised crossing to make them smoother. This has been completed and has made a significant difference to the speed at which vehicles can safely drive through the crossing. We still feel that the approaches are unnecessarily steep which causes vehicles to slow excessively which in turn creates morning congestion east of the crossing. We will monitor the situation to see whether more work should be done.

​We believe that the crossing still does not meet AT's own written standards for crossings on arterial roads and have pointed this out to them. You can see our most recent letter in a blog post further down.

24 March 2023
Kia ora Don
I refer to your feedback regarding the construction of the raised pedestrian crossing on Kepa Road, Orakei.

My Project Manager along with our contractor have undertaken measurements of the raised pedestrian crossing. These measurements confirmed this had not been constructed to the approved construction plans provided to the contractor, therefore my Project Manager issued a Notice to Contractor (NTC) to undertake remedial works at their own cost to ensure the final build aligns with the approved construction plans provided and our expectations for the work.

I understand the remedial work has been carried out and a further site walk over, and measurements of the raised pedestrian crossing will be carried out shortly to ensure that it meets AT’s requirements.

The proposed design complies with the standards set out in the Transport Design Manual (TDM). I have provided a copy of the Traffic Control Committee resolution report. This report mentions under 7.2.1 Design Standards a deviation from the design standard and that a departure from standard had been applied for. However, under 7.6 Analysis the Design and Standards team have confirmed “the crossing facility will be design according to the TDM design standards.”

I acknowledge and understand the community sentiment in relation to this matter and am disappointed the construction was not carried out as per AT’s instructions. I appreciate the time you have taken to raise the communities’ concerns with AT.

​Kind regards
David Nelson
Infrastructure Project Delivery
Integrated Networks
CC:

Hi Kristy
Thank you for your response last year to the issue raised about the Kepa Road raised pedestrian crossing, and for committing to remedial work. We also understand that this work might be delayed due to recent storm events prioritising other work but look forward to its early completion as a matter of some urgency.

We would just like to confirm that our expectations for this work match. Since we last wrote, we have been inundated directly and on social media with complaints about the impact this bump is having on traffic flows. The Google Maps traffic layer clearly shows severe congestion (red and dark red) for some distance back to the east from the crossing during morning peaks, and yet this congestion mysteriously disappears immediately west of the crossing. It is therefore very clear that the crossing is significantly disrupting traffic flow on this important arterial route.

We have reviewed Auckland Transport's Raised Safety Platforms (Speed tables) – Practice Note 02 to better understand how AT designs speed tables and the rules that need to be followed.

With respect to traffic flows, I note the following from the last paragraph of 3.1:
"Raised safety platforms can affect flow of traffic, safety and comfort of some users and response times for emergency services. Their use must be reviewed by AT Subject Matter Experts when they are proposed on bus routes, freight routes or FENZ critical routes. Alternative safety treatments may be necessary in some of these cases."

I further note from 3.2:
"On arterial roads, ramp profiles are typically more comfortable than those used for local area wide treatment on residential streets, reflecting the buses, trucks, and emergency services that use these roads. ... These more comfortable ramp profiles are also less likely to create annoyance and community backlash ..."

​and from 3.3:
"All FENZ critical routes are to be treated as arterial roads for profile selection."
Table PN02-1 outlines appropriate speeds and geometry for different types of roads.
From all of the above, we conclude that the remediated ramp should be designed for an arterial road, with a 30km/h target speed, a 1:15 grade (3.8°) and a platform height of 75mm. Such a configuration should help alleviate the current congestion. Could you please confirm that the remedial work to be undertaken will conform to these AT rules.
If that is not the intention (and we note that the speed markings are currently 25 km/h, in violation of AT's own rules), then could you please send us a copy of the "Departure from Standard application" required in such circumstances to help us understand why not.

Regards
Don Stock
Chair
Mission Bay Kohimarama Residents Association

CAS-PS8Y2-M1V1T9 - Kepa Road - Pedestrian Improvements Project
Projects (AT) <[email protected]>
14 December 2022 at 11:28
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

​Hi Don,
I refer to your feedback regarding the height of the raised zebra crossing located on Kepa Road, Orakei.

The project team have reviewed the gradient raised pedestrian crossing, which range from 8.2% to 9.2%. gradient.

Our Project Manager has arranged for our contractor to carry out some remedial work on the raised pedestriancrossing ramps.

We appreciate you taking the time to raise your concerns with us.

Kind Regards,
Kristy | Project Assistant

Infrastructure Project Delivery |Integrated Networks
20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
Ph:09 447 4671
Private Bag 92250, Auckland 1142
www.at.govt.nz

We raised this issue with AT on 28 November through their website. Our submission was:

"The new raised crossing on Kepa Rd near Coates Ave has very steep approaches (and gentle exits). Vehicles and cycles tend to hit the bump hard, creating noise, discomfort and potentially damage. It forces vehicles into sudden strong braking as drivers belatedly recognise just how steep the bump is. A safe speed for this bump is just 10-15 km/hr, much lower than the warning signs for the crossing indicate. We believe the last-minute braking introduces a safety hazard of its own.
 
"We agree that a raised crossing with speed calming is appropriate but believe that this particular design is too steep for this location, especially since this is a major commuting road.
 
"We request that you re-evaluate this crossing to see whether a less steep approach might be more appropriate.
 
"Submitted on behalf of Mission Bay Kohimarama Residents Association"