KEY POINTS:
Recently I have noticed a number of road signs that seem to refer to the gradient of the road on some hills in the Hibiscus Coast area. These feature a black wedge with a number and a percentage symbol. I would have thought it would have been degrees
if it is referring to the steepness of the road. Is this a printing error or does the percentage refer to something else? Tom Kinzett, Browns Bay.
Well spotted, Tom, and thanks for the photo. The percentage does refer to the steepness of the road, and the recently introduced signs bring us into line with road signage in Europe and Australia.
Trigonometrically, the sign is a measure of the tangent of the angle of inclination (or declination) from the horizontal, expressed as a percentage. In other words, it's the ratio of altitude change to horizontal distance covered.
The steepest street in New Zealand, Baldwin St in Dunedin, has a ratio of 35 per cent. Now, that's steep.
There is no left-turn arrow to turn from Wairau Rd into Forrest Hill Rd. Why not? The next four sets of lights along Wairau Rd utilise arrows for left turn. Tony Wakelin, Forrest Hill.
There is relatively little demand for a left turn at this intersection, so there is a combined through and left-turn lane. The predominant movement is straight through, so having a left-turn signal would just hold people up who want to go straight ahead.
I am a bit confused about the intersection where Jervois Rd meets West End Rd. Who has the right of way? Ruby Mardiono, Auckland.
You are not alone in your confusion, Ruby. To help you and others, here is the official answer from Auckland City Council: A driver heading towards the city on Jervois Rd is controlled by a stop sign and must give way to all other vehicles. The Jervois Rd driver heading away from the city is controlled by a giveway sign. This driver must give way to vehicles turning left or right out of West End Rd, but has precedence over the vehicle at the stop sign.
I have to cross two railway crossings each day, at Asquith Ave and at Rossgrove Tce in Mt Albert. Both have developed potholes which never seem to be filled. Who is responsible for maintaining the road near railway lines? Alexa Watts, Mt Albert.
The local council is. Auckland City says it is aware of the problems here and the work has been given high priority. The delay in repairing the road was because of the constant rail traffic on the double track - a good thing, I would have thought.
* Do you have queries about public transport, roading projects, roadworks or how to get a driver's licence? Contact Phoebe Falconer at Get Moving, Editorial department, NZ Herald, PO Box 32, Auckland. Fax (09) 373-6421 or email newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz. Include name and address.