Ask Phoebe: Shedding light on solar-powered speed indicators

I am interested in finding out more about the operation of the solar-powered speed indicator panels in Mt Albert Rd. How often are they checked and their speed indications calibrated? I am aware of one opposite Kiwitea St that has been inoperative for at least six months.

At what point is the 'Slow Down' message triggered? I have often seen this appear just after the panel has shown 47km/h.

What is the range of the detector, ie, which vehicle's speed is being displayed? John Boyd-Bell, Onehunga.

The Auckland City Council tells me that all solar-panel speed indicators are maintained on a six-monthly basis and are recalibrated every 12 months. This would argue that the Kiwitea St panel has been missed off the list, but council contractors will check it to make sure it is working now.

The 'Slow Down' message is triggered by speeds above 50km/h. Given that the range of focus for the radar is about 50m, it does happen that one vehicle can be given the 'Slow Down' message while it is only moving at 47km/h, when in fact the radar has picked up another faster vehicle and is trying to tell that vehicle to slow down.

When I am driving home westbound on Jervois Rd, I need to turn right on to Clifton Rd. Just before the Clifton Rd intersection is a left turn into Wharf Rd, and there are no direction arrows on the road to let motorists know where to wait before turning. I have seen confused motorists and endangered mothers with tiny tots at this intersection, not to mention the occasional crash. A roundabout would seem to be the obvious long-term solution, but does the council have any plans to make things safer here? Chris McGregor-Macdonald, Herne Bay.

You can add me to your list of the confused, Chris. I went out for a look, and at first blush it seemed straightforward. It's not.

The council has been out for a look as well and agrees that right-turn pockets are needed, which will clearly define where vehicles turning right should wait, for both Clifton and Wharf Rds.

There's still a bit more work to be done, but the council hopes the marked turning pockets will be in place by May. This year.

I see some signs of work around the Drury offramp and wonder if it's going to be upgraded in some way. The intersection there is a nightmare for motorists travelling from Drury village and intending to turn right on to the motorway onramp. The manoeuvring required by them and traffic exiting the motorway to turn right to Pukekohe and Waiuku is particularly irksome. Has the NZ Transport Agency looked at this problem? Anne Corbett, Drury.

They not only looked at it and talked about it, they are doing something about it.

New traffic lights are being installed to control access to and from the motorway ramps from both SH22 and Great South Rd. This should help traffic flow and remove the extra manoeuvring. There will also be better connections for cyclists. It should all be done by June - again, this year.