Weather-activated speed signs trial on Kaimai Range

Image/NZ Transport Agency

The NZ Transport Agency will be testing weather-activated speed signs on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range next week, in preparation for an innovative new trial aimed at reducing crashes.

People travelling on the highway between October 19 and October 22 will see the new signs showing various speed limits such as 60km or 80km, while the tests are carried out.

Electronic road signs showing 'Signs under test' will give drivers advance warning before they enter the test site which is between the bottom of the Waikato side of the Kaimai Range and the power station at Ruahihi.

During the test period the speed limits would not be official or enforceable, however, motorists were advised to drive with care in the area. In the event of wet weather the testing will be carried out on the next available day.

The trial is set to start in November and will see 22 variable speed signs installed on a 12 kilometre stretch of SH29 between the State Highway 28 junction on the Waikato side, and Soldiers Road on the Tauranga side.

The variable speed signs, along with four web cameras, will be linked to a weather station at the summit of the Kaimai Range.

When adverse weather hits, the posted speed will be reduced based on the conditions.

Chief safety advisor Colin Brodie said the two year trial aimed to encourage people to drive at safe speeds when rain, ice and fog hit the Kaimai Range.

"Our data shows that over 70 percent of the crashes on the Kaimai Range happen in wet weather, and that over 40 per cent of these were caused by drivers travelling too fast for the conditions," he says.

"Despite the changeable weather on the Kaimai Range people still attempt to travel at 100km/h.

"The new signs will allow us to drop the speeds to 60km/h on the Waikato side and 80km/h on the Bay of Plenty in adverse weather.

They will also be used during road works or in the event of a crash when speeds may be reduced to as low as 30km/h."

The speeds will be enforced by police once the trial goes live.

For more information about the trial go to: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/kaimai-weather-activated-variable-speed-limit-trial/