Ask Phoebe: Miniature lamps monitor traffic

The Northwestern Motorway. Photo / Brett Phibbs

I have noticed, over the past few months, a number of what look like miniature carriage lamps or olde worlde front-door lights appearing strapped to lamp-posts on the Northwestern Motorway between the Patiki Rd on-ramp heading towards the city and the Pt Chev off-ramp. They are black with white "windows" and appear to be about 300mm high. There are also one or two in the same area but mounted on concrete posts on the construction site near the water. All together I've counted 15 - one or two looking incomplete. (I lead a very dull life). I've asked others what they are but no one seems to have noticed them, let alone know anything about them. I'm beginning to doubt my sanity. Please tell me that these are not just a figment of my imagination. Bruce Greenbrook, West Auckland.

Doubt not your sanity, and believe in your figments. These little gems are traffic management CCTV cameras. The pictures taken are transmitted back to the Traffic Operations Centres and allow operations staff to monitor motorway congestion so they can make adjustments to traffic signal timings.

Now that they have finished three-laning northbound, when are they going to three-lane the Northern Motorway southbound from Greville to Constellation? And are there any plans to three-lane Constellation to Tristram? David Thew, Red Beach.

In order:

This section of the motorway (Greville to Constellation) will be widened as part of the upcoming Northern Corridor Improvements project, which will also build a new direct motorway-to-motorway connection between SH18 and SH1 at Upper Harbour Highway. This will provide the northern-most link in the new Western Ring Route. A public consultation has just been held and information and drawings are available on the Transport Agency's website, tinyurl.com/ohkuoj3

Construction is due to begin in 2018.

Part Two: There are no firm plans approved to widen the motorway in this section (Constellation to Tristram). However, future projects will be looking at what capacity is needed on SH1 long term. In the meantime, the Western Ring Route will provide a new alternative route around Auckland, reducing dependence on SH1, particularly the Auckland Central Business District and Auckland Harbour Bridge.

What is the origin of the name of the street that runs from Surrey Crescent to Great North Rd, the Bullock Track? John Campbell, Grey Lynn.

The Bullock Track was used at the turn of the last century as the route for bullock teams travelling between the city and the west. Because of the steepness of the street, bullock teams were more use than horse-drawn teams, as bullocks are lower to the ground and thus their centre of gravity and therefore pulling power is lower and more stable. Also, in general, bullocks are less highly strung than horses, and easier to manage.

Does any other country in the world require motorists to use indicator lights on entering a traffic roundabout? Richard Paxman, Howick.

Yes, Australia and the UK.