Slow Vehicle Bays

The nature of Central Hawkes Bay terrain and the low traffic volumes (although a high volume of slow-moving trucks) has meant that its rural strategic routes have been built as two-lane highways (now HPMV routes).

As slow-moving vehicle volumes have increased, pressures have been placed on the existing level of service. Passing opportunities are limited and often on straights where forward sight distance is poor.

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (CHBDC) asked Stantec to investigate locations that could be considered for an overtaking lane along Porangahau Road as previous engagement had revealed certain stakeholders were being held up by the increasing number of heavy vehicles (HCV’s) using this route, predominantly logging trucks.

During discussions it was agreed a better strategy would be to investigate multiple sites for Slow Vehicle Bays (SVB) as the preferred locations for overtaking lanes were predominantly on the flat and there would be minimal speed differential between these HCV’s and other traffic; these SVB locations would provide more benefit to the local community than an overtaking lane.

Slow vehicle bays provide a means to relieve these risks and improve the level of service to the general public. When drivers are unable to overtake slower vehicles, they are likely to become frustrated and perform a risky, unsafe passing manoeuvres that could lead to an accident.

Introduction

This project has been launched with Stantec having produced a technical memo that  identifies five slow vehicle bay sites on Porangahau Road for investigation, as well as providing recommendations with regards to which of these site(s) should progress through  to detailed design.

Where did we investigate?

The five sites investigated were selected based on the speed differential of HCV’s, the geometry of the road (as this also provided a natural deceleration location for HCV’s) and a visual assessment of the ease of construction compared to other sites along the route.

Site 1 (preferred by the NZ Police and the local School bus driver) will require geotechnical investigations; however, the surrounding slopes are flatter than all of the other sites and it could be extended downhill or if preferred a short SVB established at Site 2 that is located away from a natural pond.

 You can view a map of the Slow Vehicle Bays Project here.