Hamilton City Council - Demonstration

Project

Safer Speed Areas – Urban

Progress and Monitoring Report

Date: May 2012

Purpose:

To provide an update to the Project Steering Group, Council and the Road Safety Trust on the

progress that has been made to date for the project and to outcomes of the monitoring work

that has been completed.

Key Points:

Progress update

The Safer Speed Areas demonstration project physical work and speed limit signage was

completed in late 2011.

A trial marking of the new road marking scheme developed for Safer Speed Areas in was

marked in Hudson Street in late December 2011. The concept of a specific ‘brand’ of

roadmarking for the Safer Speed Area has been developed in conjunction with Dr Sam Charlton,

Bettle Advertising and the NZ Transport Agency. As the geometry and style of the eight

demonstration areas were all very different, it was felt necessary to have some key

components in the form of roadmarking and signage which would tie into the education and

marketing and would provide something in common for all of these areas – thereby making

them more recognisable and memorable for the motorist.

Trial marking in Hudson Street – December 2011

Hudson St was chosen as the trial site as it was known to have ‘rat-running’ traffic and

installation of the Safer Speed Areas signage was the only physical changes to the road that

were proposed. Hudson St was also programmed for a reseal in the 2012/13 sealing season, so

any markings were able to be removed at no cost if they were found to be unsuitable.

The roadmarking was found to be too small, and the words ‘safer speed area’ too hard to read,

so additional work was undertaken and new formats developed.

Working with NZTA , a new style of markings was developed and installed in late May 2012 at

a number of locations within the Safer Speed Areas - the focus being on those sites where the

travelling speeds are higher than desirable. Traffic speed surveys will be undertaken in June

2012 to monitor the impact that they have had and to inform on the need for any additional

changes prior to installing additional markings in the remaining demonstration areas.

The roadmarking and signage is considered to be one of the most cost effective methods of

speed management and will be very useful for our speed management ‘tool box’ when

introducing further Safer Speed Areas throughout the city on a tight ‘no frills’ budget.

The Safer Speed Area billboards are remaining in place until the roadmarking scheme is

finalised and placed in each of the areas. It is felt that they provide a timely reminder to

motorists as they travel throughout the areas – but will no longer be required once the

roadmarking is in place. The billboards will be reused as part of the communication

programme in the new Safer Speed Areas that are implemented in the 2012/13 financial year.

Monitoring results

Monitoring of the project has been undertaken via a number of methods including:

• Tracking website activity

• On line messaging

• survey of the residents within the demonstration areas

• Brand recognition and understanding survey of the general public

• Traffic speed and volume surveys

and these results will form the basis for the evaluation of the project.

The results are considered to be very pleasing given that this was a demonstration project.

Furthermore it could be reasonably expected that as the concept of Safer Speed Areas becomes

more mature and there are greater numbers of these areas introduced throughout the city and

even nationally, that the results should improve.

The results of the surveys will be used in the development of the 2012/13 programme of

physical works, education and marketing.

• Website activity

The Safer Speed Areas website went live on the 22nd

of August 2011 and was advertised on all print

material that was associated with the project.

The website provided information on:

• What are Safer Speed Areas

• Where are the Safer Speed Areas

• Why do we have Safer Speed Areas

• How to register to have your road for the Safer Speed Area programme

• An email contact address through to Hamilton City for any enquiries or ideas

• Links to related websites.

During the period August 2011 to April 2012 there were a total of 3576 unique visitors to the site – with

activity peaking in September 2011 with 1357 unique visitors. The visitors were primarily from NZ, but

there were visits from all over the world including Japan, United States and Netherlands.

The peak in activity coincides with the height of the project advertising and commencement of physical

changes in the areas. The website has continued to have steady stream of visitors through to the time

of this report.

• Online messaging

Online messaging was run in August and September and consisted of moving messages

illustrating the ability of vehicles to stop at 40km/h and 50km/h. The images below are

indicative of the information portrayed.

The online messaging was delivered through three web pages, and the following results:

Contracted Impressions Impressions Delivered Clicks through

recorded

Stuff.co.nz

/Waikato Times 81,000 88,160 102

Yahoo 68,750 70,847 69

Facebook 384 (clicks) 1,947,812 799

• Survey of Safer Speed Area residents

Two community surveys have been completed – one prior to the confirmation and

development of the Safer Speed Areas demonstration areas and then again in February 2012

following the implementation of the physical works and lower speed limits.

For the February survey a total of 4000 surveys were delivered and 468 received back – a

response rate of 11.7% - which is considered to be very good for this type of survey. This

compares favourably with the 8.5% response rate that we had for the first survey.

Respondents were asked to consider a number of statements in regard to Safer Speed Areas

and to rank them on a 5 point scale ranging from Strongly Disagree through to Strongly Agree.

The results indicate that:

• there is a good understanding and feeling by the residents towards the Safer Speed

Areas concept and that the lower speed limits are not considered to be an

inconvenience to them,

• there has not been a noticeable change in the rat- running/short cutting or activity of

hoons resulting from the introduction of the Safer Speed Areas,

• the changes to the environment have made the residents feel safer, drivers are more

courteous and they are trying hard to ensure that they are staying at the 40km/h limit

when travelling through the areas,

• there is a balance between those who agree and those who disagree whether a Safer

Speed Area should be introduced to all local streets in Hamilton, and

• 29% of respondents indicate that they are now more willing to walk or cycle in the

area.

A copy of the results are included as attachment 1.

• Brand recognition and understanding

A survey of the general community was undertaken in Garden Place on Friday 20 April 2012 to

gauge recognition and understanding of the Safer Speed Areas brand.

A total of 499 people were randomly asked a series of questions to determine:

• what they knew about the Safer Speed Areas concept,

• what they thought they should do in areas with the Safer Speed Area signage in place

• what education or marketing materials they had seen (if any)

The results indicate that:

• there were varying degrees of knowledge about Safer Speed Areas

• the majority of the respondents thought that the signs were self explanatory

• the Safer Speed Area sign was the key component that the respondents had seen

• most people had not seen or heard any of the advertising associated with the project

The results of the survey are considered pleasing given that this is just a relatively new brand

that has only had a few months of coverage. The survey was completed on the first day of the

V8’s event and therefore we had a large number of out-of-town visitors – the results confirm

that the brand is strong and very self explaining.

A copy of the results are included as attachment 2.

• Physical works and their impact on traffic speeds and volumes

A series of traffic speed surveys were undertaken prior to the implementation of the Safer

Speed Areas. These results formed the basis of the changes that were then made to the

Hamilton City Speed Limits bylaw to lower the speed limits within the demonstration areas to

40km/h. The aim is to have mean operating speeds no more than 5km/h higher than the speed

limit that has been set.

While the physical changes made to these areas as part of the Safer Speed Areas project were

only minor, many of the areas had been previously ‘treated’ as part of the more intensive

approach that has been used in the traffic calming programme and therefore already had

traffic speeds below 50km/h. For example traffic calming works completed in Heath and

Ranfurly areas (2009 and 2010 respectively) had achieved in the order to 15km/h reductions in

mean speeds prior to the introduction of the 40km/h Safer Speed Area concept.

Therefore the physical changes undertaken as part of the Safer Speed Areas project were minor

and consisted of:

• Threshold treatments at the key entrances to the areas where there were high traffic

volumes and/or speeds

• Minor improvements for pedestrian access within the area – including pedestrian refuge

islands and ‘platforms’ at key crossing points, splitter islands at intersections (generally

as part of the threshold treatment),

• Installation of speed limit signage

Threshold treatment with splitter island Safer Speed Area signage

Billboard Pedestrian platform in Johnsview Tce

Monitoring surveys were undertaken in February 2012 at those sites where the speeds and

traffic volumes were highest in the pre project surveys.

Results for these locations indicate:

• The percentage decrease in traffic speeds ranged from 0 to 6% - Hudson St having the

highest decrease in speeds.

• Traffic volumes decreased in all cases indicating a decrease in rat-running behaviour

through these areas

• There are still have a few areas where the mean operating speed is above the desirable

5km/h above the speed limit. (These areas are where the next round of roadmarking

has been targeted.)

Attachment 3 has the results for each of the key areas that had post project surveys complet

McNicol and Ngaere already had very low speeds prior to introduction of the 40km/h speed

limits, and were therefore not surveyed again.

While the speeds have not changed significantly, the Nilsson Power Model states that even a

small change in mean speed does have a significant impact on the safety of the road users in

the area.

Nilsson Power Model: Relati

speed and

So, the changes in travelling speeds combined with the drop in

considered to be a successful outcome for the project.

Attachments:

1. Community Survey questionnaire

2. Brand recognition and understanding survey results

3. Traffic speed and volume results

Attachment 3 has the results for each of the key areas that had post project surveys complet

McNicol and Ngaere already had very low speeds prior to introduction of the 40km/h speed

limits, and were therefore not surveyed again.

While the speeds have not changed significantly, the Nilsson Power Model states that even a

eed does have a significant impact on the safety of the road users in

onship between change in

speed and crashes

A 1% drop in mean speed correlates

to a 4% drop in fatality risk and a 3%

drop in serious injury risk, a

pattern (percent drop x4 for

fatalities and x3 for serious injuries)

continues as the mean speed

continues to drop.

So a 1km difference in speed, say

from 44km/h to 43km/h, is actually

closer to a 2% reduction, which

would equate to roughly an 8% drop

in fatalities, and a 6% drop in

serious injuries.

So, the changes in travelling speeds combined with the drop in traffic volumes are therefore

considered to be a successful outcome for the project.

Community Survey questionnaire results

Brand recognition and understanding survey results

Traffic speed and volume results

Attachment 3 has the results for each of the key areas that had post project surveys completed.

McNicol and Ngaere already had very low speeds prior to introduction of the 40km/h speed

While the speeds have not changed significantly, the Nilsson Power Model states that even a

eed does have a significant impact on the safety of the road users in

A 1% drop in mean speed correlates

to a 4% drop in fatality risk and a 3%

drop in serious injury risk, and this

pattern (percent drop x4 for

fatalities and x3 for serious injuries)

continues as the mean speed

continues to drop.

So a 1km difference in speed, say

from 44km/h to 43km/h, is actually

closer to a 2% reduction, which

would equate to roughly an 8% drop

in fatalities, and a 6% drop in

serious injuries.

traffic volumes are therefore

Attachment 1

Safer Speed Area Community Questionnaire Results

February 2012

A total of 4000 questionnaires were delivered to the eight demonstration Safer Speed Areas and 468 were received back – a response rate of 11.7%.

All results are expressed as a %age of the responses received.

A Safer Speed Area encourages drivers to slow down.

Safer Speed Areas help prevent people being injured or killed on local

roads.

05

101520253035404550

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

Safer Speed Areas make me safer on my street.

Safer Speed Areas are good for the local community.

A Safer Speed Area should be installed in all local streets in Hamilton.

A Safer Speed Area inconveniences me.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither agree

nor disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither agree

nor disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

There is less “rat running”/short cutting now we have a Safer Speed Area.

There are less “hoons” in our street now we have a Safer Speed Area.

Drivers are more courteous in a Safer Speed Area.

Safer Speed Areas have changed my willingness to walk or cycle in my

area.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

I try to stay at 40km/h when I drive in a Safer Speed Area.

Safer Speed Areas have changed the way others drive in my area.

The changes made in my street have improved safety.

I know when I am entering a Safer Speed Area.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither agree

nor disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Strongly

disagree

Disagree Neither

agree nor

disagree

Agree Strongly

agree

I have seen the Safer Speed Area road signs.

I saw a Safer Speed Area poster.

I heard a Safer Speed Area radio advertisement.

I visited the Safer Speed Area website.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Disagree Agree

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Disagree Agree

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Disagree Agree

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Disagree Agree

Attachment 2

Safer Speed Areas Brand Recognition Survey

Total number of surveys

499

What do you know about a safer speed area?

# of responses %

They are in residential areas

32 6

You must drive 40 kph

109 22

They are for the communities safety

23 5

They are around schools

220 44

Are the street signs self explanatory?

# of responses %

Yes

486 97

No

13 3

Did you hear a Safer Speed Area radio advert?

# of responses %

Yes

41 8

No

458 92

Did you see a Safer Speed Area poster?

# of responses %

Yes

27 5

No

472 95

Did you see a Safer Speed Area newspaper advert?

# of responses %

Yes

15 3

No

484 97

Did you see a Safer Speed Area street sign?

# of responses %

Yes

313 63

No

186 37

Attachment 3

Safer Speed Areas

Traffic Speeds as at February 2012

Speed Survey information Mean speed 85th %ile speed Vehicles per day

(vpd)

Howell Area

Hudson St - before 49 km/h 58 km/h 880

Hudson St - after 46 km/h 55 km/h 648

Howell – before 44 km/h 51 km/h 1575

Howell - after 44 km/h 51 km/h 1263

Lethborg Area

Lethborg St - before 44 km/h 52 km/h 562

Lethborg St - after 43 km/h 51 km/h 487

Tamihana Ave

Casey - before 48km/h 56 km/h 1457

Casey - after 47 km/h 56 km/h 1118

Barrington Area

Barrington – before 44 km/h 54 km/h 674

Barrington - after 43 km/h 53 km/h 520

Willoughby Area

Willoughby – before 48km/h 54km/h 4261

Willoughby – after 46 km/h 53 km/h 2475

Heath Area

Heath – before 52km/h 1782

Heath St –after 44 km/h 52 km/h 1648

Note: Safer Speed Area roadmarking in place for Hudson St only when after surveys completed.