Project to review and replace the 'Manual of traffic signs and markings'

Appendix A

Outline for Traffic Control Devices Specifications

Introduction

Section 1 - Signs

Detailed representations of signs giving dimensions, colours, layout, etc.

Section 2 - Markings

Details of markings.

Section 3 - Traffic signals

Permitted standard signal displays, level crossing signals, emergency service facilities, portable/temporary signals, ramp and roundabout signals, etc.

Section 4 - Other devices

Other devices not otherwise covered in Sections 1 to 3 including cones, barrels, barriers (intended to be those used to control traffic - for example at road works - rather than protective barriers, crash cushions, etc which are arguably better located elsewhere), safety fences, barricades, bollards, etc.

Appendix B

Draft outline for the Manual for Traffic Control Devices

Part 1 General requirements for signs

Use of logos, names and trademarks, asset management, retroreflective materials, illumination, erection of signs, multiple signs, backing boards, flashing lights with warning signs, RCA protocol on variable signs, application of document on 'private' roads, roles, responsibilities of RCAs, etc.

Part 2 General requirements for markings

Asset management, materials, raised pavement markers, illumination of markings, installation of marking, application of document on ‘private’ roads, roles and responsibilities of RCAs, etc.

Part 3 Traffic signals

A supplement to Austroads' Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice Part 7 Traffic signals covering specific NZ requirements, including road user rule effects, traffic signs and markings, ramp and roundabout signals, lane control signals/signs, emergency service facilities, etc.

Part 4 Traffic control devices for general use

Introduction including responsibility and authority for installation, general principles

Treatment at intersections including control by give way and stop signs, roundabouts and traffic signals, regulation of movements at intersections, intersection warning and guide signs, route markers, pavement markings, hazard markers and other devices, etc.

Treatment between intersections including overhead lane control signs, pavement markings and delineation, substandard horizontal and vertical curves, approaches to structures and obstructions, changes in pavement width, passing facilities, steep grades and safety ramps, water crossings, physical obstructions and hazards, markers, etc.

Part 5 Code of practice for temporary traffic management

The Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management and local council supplement would form a logical part of this Manual.

Part 6 Speed limits

Speed limit sign and marking application - including (threshold signs, markings and other traffic control devices, speed limit ahead signs), variable speeds, speeds less than 50km/h

Part 7 Street name signs

Would include the design and location of street name signs with Appendices covering colour and reflectorisation combinations, legibility, etc.

Part 8 Service and tourist signs

Motorist service signs (application to rest areas, commercial, accommodation, information and other services, services in by-passed towns), tourist signs (including sign details, provision of signs, tourist features, tourist establishments, major tourist attractions, tourist or scenic drives, touring routes), design and layout of tourist signs and general information signs including public amenities and local interest, land feature signs.

Part 9 Railway level crossings

Types of control devices, road carriageway and pavement markings, application to standard road situations, applications to level crossings near intersections, application for complex situations, pedestrian and cycle treatments, etc.

Part 10 Motorways and expressways

Largely covered by Part III of MOTSAM.

Part 11 Cycles

Essentially the NZ Supplement to Austroads Part 14

Part 12 Pedestrians

Detailed guide for the use of signs, markings etc which is not covered by Pedestrian network planning and facilities design guide

Part 13 Parking

General requirements for parking control, linear parking control signs (including general requirements, clearways, etc.), area parking control signs, parking direction signs and pavement markings.

Part 14 Special vehicle lanes

General requirements, specific applications including bus lanes bus only lanes, transit lanes, cycle lanes, etc).

Part 15 Local area traffic management

Design principles for use of LATM devices and application including signs and pavement markings, give way and stop signs, entry treatments, vertical displacement devices, guidelines for the design of road humps, horizontal displacement devices, modified intersections, shared zones, road closures, mid-block islands, speed limits, one-way streets, etc.

Part 16 Advertising signs

Replace RTS7 Advertising signs and road safety: design and location guidelines and include road safety messages and other public service signs (eg billboards, electoral advertising), issues including ‘active’ displays, illuminated street name signs with an advertising component, fluorescent advertising signs, prohibition of advertising marking, etc and establishing criteria for deciding where, when, what might be permitted.

Part 17 Heavy motor vehicles

Characteristics of heavy motor vehicles for example weight, size (clearance required for signs, structures, etc urban/rural, impact on eye-height and other driver visibility), performance (stability and acceleration / deceleration); management of HMVs covering size and weight limitations (for bridges, tunnels, level crossings, etc.), road classification, traffic management (islands, LATM, etc), bylaw restrictions, etc., special facilities for HMVs (grades and escape ramps, construction zones, vehicle crossing points), special routes (overdimension, stock, dangerous goods, HMV bypasses) and environmental issues (effluent disposal, noise)

Appendix C1

DRAFT Terms of reference - Traffic Control Devices Steering Group

Background

Land Transport NZ has agreed to manage and fund a project to review and replace the Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings (MOTSAM). There has been general industry agreement documents, similar to overseas examples (particularly Australia and United States), should be prepared and maintained. These documents, currently described as Traffic Control Devices Specifications (TCD Specifications) and Manual for Traffic Control Devices (Manual for TCD) are proposed to, respectively:

• detail the specifications for approved signs, signal, markings and other appropriate traffic control devices approved or mandated for use in New Zealand; and
• provide industry best practice guidance on the use of traffic control devices.

To ensure the documents meet industry needs it is proposed they be prepared using an industry-wide consultative process overseen by a Traffic Control Devices Steering Group (TCD Steering Group) which would operate under the following terms of reference.

Purpose

The TCD Steering Group will be responsible for providing overall guidance and strategic direction for the development and maintenance of the documents TCD Specifications and Manual for TCD. In completing this task the TCD Steering Group will be required to ensure:

• traffic control devices used or available for use are appropriate and contribute to the safe and effective control of traffic;
• a consultative approach is taken in the development of the documents; and
• the documents meet industry needs in defining those elements which are:
  • standards and are mandated by law or are accepted as an industry required or prohibited practice; or
  • guidance and are recommended practice which may be varied or adopted by any road controlling authority as a standard for their jurisdiction.

Tasks

To achieve the purpose the TCD Steering Group would:

• provide advice and input to the form and content of the documents;
• agree to the work programme established to complete the task and facilitate progress;
• actively contribute to reaching industry consensus on the documents;
• ensure the documents reflect evidence based on good practice and the NZ environment;
• ensure costs and benefits associated with any recommended changes and additions are appropriately considered;
• identify, encourage and support the trial and evaluation of appropriate devices;
• ensure legal implications are taken fully into account;
• approve any draft that is to be circulated for consultation;
• recommend to appropriate parties any changes to standards, rules, regulations, guidelines, codes of practice, etc. considered necessary;
• approve the final form of the document and recommend its adoption to such necessary Boards or legislative bodies as necessary;
• promote the use of the documents once published.

Representation

The TCD Steering Group will be comprised of experienced practitioners in traffic control devices. The following agencies and organisations will be represented:

• Land Transport NZ (Convenor)
• Transit New Zealand
• Local Government New Zealand (three representatives)
• Road Markers Federation
• NZ Road Safety Manufacturers Association

The TCD Steering Group will be supported by staff provided by Land Transport NZ.

Meetings

Meetings of the TCD Steering Group will be held at frequent intervals based on the needs of the work programme (set initially at 3-month intervals) and at such other times for any agreed, specific requirement.

In general, the meetings will be held in Wellington at a venue provide by Land Transport NZ. Committee members will be asked to meet travel and any associated incidental costs.

Appendix C2

The following describes draft terms of reference to a specific working group, the Parking Working Group. Other groups will be convened to cover specific aspects of the Manual for TCD under similar terms of reference with membership reflecting the specific knowledge and skills required of its membership.

DRAFT Terms of reference - Parking Working Group

Background

Land Transport NZ has agreed to manage and fund a project to review and replace the Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings (MOTSAM). There has been general industry agreement documents, similar to overseas examples (particularly Australia and United States), should be prepared and maintained. These documents, currently described as Traffic Control Devices Specifications (TCD Specifications) and Manual for Traffic Control Devices (Manual for TCD) are proposed to, respectively:

• detail the specifications for approved signs, signals, markings and other appropriate traffic control devices approved or mandated for use in New Zealand; and
• provide industry best practice guidance on the use of traffic control devices.

Parts of TCD Specifications will include specifications for parking signs and markings and a section or separate volume within Manual for TCD will provide guidelines for signing and marking parking to assist in implementation of road controlling authority parking policies. It is proposed these parts would be prepared using an industry-wide consultative process using a Parking Working Group which would operate under the following terms of reference.

Purpose

The Parking Working Group will be responsible for providing guidance in the development and maintenance of those parts of TCD Specifications and Manual for TCD relating to parking. In completing this task the Parking Working Group will be required to ensure:

• traffic control devices used or available for use are appropriate and contribute to the safe and effective control of traffic;
• a consultative approach is taken in the development of the documents; and
• the documents meet industry needs in defining those elements which are:
  • standards and are mandated by law or are accepted as an industry required or prohibited practice; or
  • guidance and are recommended practice which may be varied or adopted by any road controlling authority as a standard for their jurisdiction.

Tasks

To achieve the purpose the Parking Working Group would:

• provide advice and input to the form and content of the documents;
• work effectively to ensure deadlines are met;
• actively contribute to reaching industry consensus on the documents;
• ensure the documents reflect evidence based on good practice and the NZ environment;
• ensure costs and benefits associated with any recommended changes and additions are appropriately considered;
• ensure legal implications are taken fully into account;
• approve any draft that is to be circulated for public consultation;
• recommend to appropriate parties any changes to standards, rules, regulations, guidelines, codes of practice, etc. considered necessary;
• approve the final form of the document and recommend its adoption to such necessary Boards or legislative bodies as necessary;
• promote the use of the documents once published.

Representation

The Parking Working Group will be comprised of practitioners experienced in the implementation and administration of parking policies and the traffic control devices used. The following agencies and organisations will be represented:

• Land Transport NZ (Convenor)
• Transit New Zealand
• Local Government New Zealand (three representatives)
• New Zealand Parking Association (three representatives)

In addition representatives from the Ministry of Transport and New Zealand Police will be invited to participate.
The Parking Working Group will be supported by staff provided by Land Transport NZ.

Meetings

Meetings of the Parking Working Group will be held at intervals based on the needs of the work programme and at any other time for an agreed, specific requirement.

In general, the meetings will be held in Wellington at a venue provided by Land Transport NZ. Committee members will be asked to meet travel and any associated incidental costs.

Last updated: 29 August 2006