Ask Phoebe: Road tubes keep count of traffic

Auckland Transport is running a traffic count programme here, where it does random traffic counts on the road network. Photo / Dean Purcell

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On Edmonton Rd in Te Atatu South, there is a standard double rubber tube across the road, presumably a traffic counter. Further down the road, on one side only, going towards Henderson, is a square box-shaped grid, of rubber tubes clipped to the road, five tubes across the centre of the road with two tubes along the road to complete a box formation. All of this is connected to a silver coloured box chained securely to a road side lamppost. I have also seen the same pattern cut permanently into some roads, so I assume there are tubes permanently buried there.

I suspect the array is some sort of speed trap. Can you find out what these grids are for?

Eric Strickett, West Auckland.

Auckland Transport is running a traffic count programme here, where it does random traffic counts on the road network.

AT staff place the black tube counters at specific locations to determine the volume, speed and type of traffic using the road. This is a seven-day count and normally two tubes are placed a metre apart to ensure accuracy. If you stop and look at any of these boxes you will find the contractor's name and details.

We have found the electronic speed indicators - four in our area - registered 46km/h when our speedo was saying 50km/h. This was in both of our cars and also when there was no other traffic. We have since bought a new car and are getting the same readings. This has given us the feeling that we could drive at 54km and know it would only be 50km as far as the traffic department was concerned. Is this true?

Paul Mortensen, Glen Eden.

Your speedometer is more likely to be correct, as those speed sensors are easily confused. The range of focus for the radar on the sensors is about 50m, so it can happen that one vehicle can be shown a certain speed when in fact the radar is picking up the speed from another, slower, vehicle. The solar-panel speed indicators are maintained on a six-monthly basis and are recalibrated every 12 months.

We live in Milford/Castor Bay on the North Shore. Over the past year(s) we have noticed a dramatic decline in receiving our weekly "junk mail" from Countdown, New World and The Warehouse to the situation whereby we receive nothing. We know of friends in Mt Albert who still receive it so we know these businesses are still promoting their wares by mail. When we contact the businesses they are sympathetic but no one seems to know who is responsible for deliveries. Can you help? Graeme Harris, North Shore.

I have never heard of anyone asking for junk mail before. However, delivery of such is the responsibility of private contractors, and is often offloaded to schoolchildren, or others looking for a little extra income. I think to reinstate your share of the mail you would need to perhaps check with neighbours. I would be delighted to receive further information on this.

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