Ask Phoebe: Orange tape cuts motorway risk

As far as colour-co-ordinated safety jackets are concerned, I am not aware of any protocol. Photo / NZME.

Q: My first encounter with orange lines was at Pt Chevalier about six months ago. They are very noticeable (in daylight), and seemed to be aimed at "herding" traffic? Now they are evident, northbound, on SH1 near Greville Rd. Is this some kind of experiment by the Transport Agency? What's going on?

Peter Ward, Auckland.

I am assuming, rightly or wrongly, that you are referring to orange tape, used to more clearly define temporary lanes on the highways.

The tape helps reduce the risk of an incident, particularly on construction sites where driver attention is focused on additional signage, speed limit changes and altered lanes. Risks can be compounded by the "ghost" or "shadow" of old markings confusing drivers, especially if there's sun strike, rain or if it's dark.

The tape is used in a continuous strip to mark out temporary lanes. Its bright colour contrasts sharply with the highway surface and other markings, and drivers should follow the orange lines as they would traditional white markings. The tape is used both by contractors at construction sites and by the Auckland Motorway Alliance, responsible for maintenance and operation of the Transport Agency's motorway network.

Q: All over the city workers and emergency personnel wear either orange or lime green fluorescent safety vests. Is there any protocol as to which groups wear which colour?

Lewis Hale, Auckland.

Oh, we love a theme here at Ask Phoebe. As far as colour-co-ordinated safety jackets are concerned, I am not aware of any protocol. Having said that, it is noticeable that services such as police and ambulance personnel tend to wear matching hi-vis clothing, for identification purposes as much as anything else, one assumes. And an employer may buy matching hi-vis jackets for his/her staff.

Q: On the corner of Anzac Ave and Wellesley St there are three round surfaces with sculptures of small distorted human figures with snakes. Could you tell me what they represent, and who the artist is?

John Kellett Devonport.

The public artwork (actually on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St) is entitled Loafers, and was created by renowned New Zealand sculptor Francis Upritchard. It was installed in 2012. Loafers comprises a series of bronze figures atop shaped concrete plinths. The figures evoke aspects of student life in contemplating new ideas while slouching and sitting.

I'm not sure about what you perceive as snakes, but the plinths are an important part of the sculptures. They reference ceramic artist Lucie Rie, who pioneered domestic-ware in Britain.