<< Previous | Contents | Next >>
83. This section describes the overall strategic direction for GPS 2015, the national objectives for land transport, and the results the Government wishes to achieve from the allocation of funding from the Fund. It then sets out how these components work together.
A. Strategic Direction
84. The overall strategic direction for land transport is:
84. The overall strategic direction for land transport is:
To drive improved performance from the land transport system by focussing on:
economic growth and productivity
road safety
value for money.
85. GPS 2015 maintains the direction set in 2009 of putting the wealth generating capacity of our economy at the top of the agenda. It will do this by:
continuing the focus on lead investments that will materially reduce the cost of doing business
maintaining an impetus on improving the safety of travel
putting a spotlight on the measurable results for road users from investment in new and existing transport capacity.
86. Productivity and safety will be supported by a substantial investment package. Expectations in this GPS make it clear that a continued and increased emphasis is needed to secure the best possible value from the current network and new investment.
Strategic priority: economic growth and productivity
87. Improving the performance of the land transport system in order to improve the productivity of the wider economy is a priority for GPS 2015.
88. While the seven RoNS have been the most visible evidence of investment in our productive capacity, this is complemented by significant funding to improve all of New Zealand’s critical roading infrastructure. This effort can be seen both through targeted improvements to enable bridges to carry heavier freight vehicles, and more general funding for improvements to regional networks.
89. GPS 2015 helps grow the economy by addressing the performance of the land transport system. We need to findways to improve the productivity of every part of the system.
Strategic priority: Road safety
90. Road safety remains a key transport priority for the Government. Every year thousands of New Zealanders are killed or seriously injured in crashes.
91. The Government has taken a ‘Safe System’ approach to road safety through the Safer Journeys road safety strategy. This approach looks across the entire transport system aiming for safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds, safer vehicles, and safer road users.
Strategic priority: Value for money
92. All the funds available to advance the results identified in this GPS need to be used in a way that deliver the best possible value to New Zealanders. We need a land transport system that is effective in enabling the movement of people and freight in a timely manner, and efficient in delivering the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost. This relies upon a robust and transparent prioritisation of investment.
93. All the public bodies involved in providing the land transport system, including the Agency and local authorities, need to work together to improve the system’s performance. The Agency, as the Government’s delivery agent, will continue to take a leading role in securing improved effectiveness and efficiency within the priorities for investment established by the Government.
94. GPS 2015 also continues the process of building and maintaining a sound knowledge base about how the transport system is used, how investment in the network is performing, and the measurable results of those investments on our economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
B. National land transport objectives and results
95. For the first time, this GPS identifies a set of national land transport objectives. The national land transport objectives for GPS 2015 are for a land transport system that:
addresses current and future demand for access to economic and social opportunities
provides appropriate transport choices
is resilient
is a safe system, increasingly free of death and serious injury
mitigates the effects of land transport on the environment
delivers the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost.
96. Each of the objectives are described in more detail in the following pages.
97. The GPS is also required to include the long and short to medium term results that the Government wants to achieve from the allocation of investment from the Fund. The primary long term results sought from the investment are set out in Table 1. A full list of the long and short term results is set out at Table 3 .
C. Mapping the strategic priorities, objectives and results
98. The strategic priorities of economic growth and productivity, road safety and value for money in GPS 2015 give more weight to some of the national land transport objectives than others. This weighting is reflected in the relative amounts allocated to different activity classes and the associated primary long term results.
99. The relationship between the priorities, objectives and primary long term results are mapped in Table 1.
Table 1: Relationships between strategic priorities, national land transport objectives and primary long term results
Priorities
National land transport objectives
Primary long term results
Economic growth and productivity
A land transport system that addresses current and future demand for access to economic and social opportunities
Support economic growth and productivity through the provision of better access to markets, employment and business areas
Support economic growth of regional New Zealand through provision of better access to markets
A land transport system that provides appropriate transport choices
Provide appropriate travel choices, particularly for people with limited access to a private vehicle
Increased safe cycling through improvement of cycle networks
A land transport system that is resilient
Improved network resilience at the most critical points
Road safety
A land transport system that is a safe system, increasingly free of death and serious injury
Reduction in deaths and serious injuries
A land transport system that mitigates the effects of land transport on the environment
Mitigation of adverse environmental effects
Value for money
A land transport system that delivers the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost
Delivery of the right infrastructure and services to the right level
Improved returns from road maintenance
Improved returns rom public transport
Objective: A land transport system that addresses current and future demand for access to economic and social opportunities
Description
100. The land transport system has a critical role in connecting where people live, work and play. These connections are vital to New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing. The demands placed on the system are dynamic and will vary with changing economic and social conditions.
101. A land transport system that can adjust to match capacity with demand reduces the costs imposed on other parts of the economy and enables New Zealand to compete more effectively with international trading partners.
102. Access relates to the economic and social opportunities that can be reached in a given travel time. [6]
Government’s long term results under this objective
Result: Support economic growth and productivity through the provision of better access to markets, employment and business areas
103. New Zealand’s existing network is reasonably well developed and provides most of the connections needed at a local, regional and national level. However, there are opportunities to improve access to markets, to employment, and between areas that contribute to economic growth and productivity.
104. GPS 2015 will support this through:
Ongoing investment in our State highway network: Some State highway routes link growing economic areas, or have existing infrastructure that cannot cope with existing demands, such as heavier vehicles, and need improvement. GPS 2015 will enable:
the RoNS programme to be completed, addressing constraints on key supply chain routes
ongoing investment in improvements to increase the percentage of the State highway network open to high productivity motor vehicles.
Investment in Auckland: Well connected and accessible cities are critical to our economic and social prosperity. Our population and associated economic activity is increasingly concentrated in our urban areas. As the activity within our cities increases, so does the amount of traffic.
The productivity and performance of networks in our growing urban areas needs to increase significantly if access is to be maintained and enhanced. Improving access is a particular issue in Auckland. Auckland is expected to account for 60 percent of New Zealand’s population growth over the next 20 years. Many corridors will come under increased traffic pressure. These traffic pressures will be compounded where land use intensifies alongside transport corridors in a way that adversely impacts on network productivity and performance.
An Auckland transport network that is working well is crucial to improving the contribution that the city can make to New Zealand’s economic growth and productivity. This includes addressing associated needs such as a responsive housing supply and improving energy efficiency. Increased demand for travel arising from population growth also needs to be accommodated at an acceptable price. This will require the efficient and effective use of all currently available transport tools, including improved traffic management, demand management and increases in network productivity. GPS 2015 will enable:
continued significant investment in a range of transport initiatives that increase the productivity of key corridors which are under pressure by improving factors like speed-flow, patronage, journey times, or journey time reliability
this investment will be complemented through the Auckland Transport Package, which will bring forward high value State highway improvements to materially improve motorway service levels.
Ongoing investment in Canterbury recovery: The Canterbury earthquake recovery is well underway, with provision in place under GPS 2012 to enable the recovery programme to proceed as quickly as possible. GPS 2015 will enable:
completion of the recovery of the Canterbury land transport system, including supporting the delivery of the Central City Recovery Plan and the Greater Christchurch Recovery Strategy.
Increase investment in our local road network: Local roads have a critical role in linking areas of production and processing to the national network, and in supporting new areas of residential and business growth. They account for 88 percent of the network by length and provide most of the direct access to properties. GPS 2015 will enable:
increased funding ranges for local road improvements that deliver high measurable investment returns.
Investment in regional improvements on roads outside our major metropolitan areas which play a particular role in our export freight task and tourist industry. GPS 2015 will enable:
an explicit commitment to funding new regional road infrastructure through the GPS Regional Improvements activity class that can be accessed for any improvements outside our major metropolitan areas. This replaces regional population based funding.
This investment will be further supplemented through the Accelerated Regional Roading Package that supports improvements to regional State highways.
Result: Support economic growth of regional New Zealand through the provision of better access to markets
105. Local roads and State highways have a critical role linking areas of production and processing to the national network. However, there are some regional routes with an especially significant role in the movement of freight and tourists that warrant a particular investment focus.
106. GPS 2015 will support this result through:
A Regional Improvements activity class: Regional and provincial routes have a critical role in linking points of production with key distribution points.They also provide tourists with access to local attractions. GPS 2015 will enable:
targeted investment in regional route improvements outside of major metropolitan areas that provide links to key freight or tourist centres, and allocation of all unallocated regionally distributed funding.
This investment will be further supplemented through the Accelerated Regional RoadingPackage that supports improvements to regional State highways.
Result: Improved returns from road maintenance
107. The network needs to adjust to accommodate changing patterns of demand. Service levels on some roads may be adjusted upward and others adjusted downward over time.
108. GPS 2015 will support this result through:
Ongoing investment in maintaining the roading network: Around $1.5 billion a year is invested in operation, maintenance and renewal of the existing network.The Road MaintenanceTaskforce (theTaskforce) identifiedthe potential for worthwhile improvements in road asset management, including the need for a nationally consistent road classificationsystem. The potential benefitsidentifiedby theTaskforce have yet to be fully realised. GPS 2015 will enable:
maintenance of the road network at appropriate levels of service
increased road maintenance productivity over time.
Result: Improved returns from public transport
109. Public transport contributes to economic growth and productivity by providing additional capacity on corridors serving our main business and education centres at peak periods. It also has a role in providing transport choices.
110. GPS 2015 will support this result through:
Continued investment in public transport to increase land transport system productivity: Considerable investment has been made in the public transport network to build patronage. Much of this investment has been ahead of patronage demand, particularly in metro rail services. A period of consolidation is needed where the focus is on securing the anticipated patronage gains from measures such as integrated ticketing, reconfigured bus networks, and metro rail investments. There are nevertheless some pressure points where additional capacity may be needed.
Well used and configured public transport can increase network productivity on key corridors at peak periods when they are under the most pressure. For example, while constraints on Auckland rail capacity are not expected in the next decade, as a result of the significant additional capacity on new electric trains, bus congestion in the Auckland central business district is expected to emerge as patronage grows and additional services are provided. GPS 2015 will enable:
public transport to be provided and developed at levels appropriate to their patronage and network function
improvements to metro rail services to be completed, and integrated ticketing and public transport network changes introduced to increase patronage, including transfer and interchange facilities
targeted infrastructure improvements that improve transfers across the network and address emerging bus capacity constraints in central Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
gains in public transport productivity.
Objective: A land transport system that provides appropriate transport choices
Description
111. The land transport system needs to be able to support transport choices appropriate to user needs, enabling transport users to access employment, education, and social opportunities.
Government’s long term results under this objective
Result: Provide appropriate travel choices, particularly for people with limited access to a private vehicle
112. While the primary role of public transport investment is to increase throughput where the network is experiencing severe congestion, as addressed under the previous objective, public transport has an additional role in providing an alternative to private transport in urban areas where there is a sufficient concentration of users to support cost effective public transport. On-demand services for the transport disadvantaged also provide a degree of network access to people who cannot use scheduled public transport or private transport.
113. GPS 2015 will support this result through:
Continued investment in public transport to provide appropriate travel choices to system users: Carefully scheduled and configured public transport, particularly in off-peak periods in urban areas, can contribute to increasing the transport choices available to people, including those who would otherwise be unable to participate fully in the workforce or education system. Service extensions may be warranted where demand is sufficient to support scheduled public transport. Achieving this result requires a focus on better use of available resources. GPS 2015 will enable:
provision of appropriate transport choices in urban areas.
Continued investment in specialised services: Public transport investment can deliver specialised services, like the Total Mobility scheme, that provide access to the transport system for those not able to use a car or public transport. GPS 2015 will enable:
provision of appropriate transport choices for the transport disadvantaged.
Result: Increased safe cycling through improvement of cycle networks
114. Cycling provides an alternative for short journeys and for single purpose trips like commuting to work or school. Dedicated investment in cycling under GPS 2012 has delivered encouraging outcomes from the Model Communities initiatives and has improved cycle links. While cycling currently plays a small role in the total transport task, there has been growth in some areas and the existing cycling facilities are largely fragmented. There are opportunities for cycling to take a greater role in providing transport system capacity in our urban areas.
115. While there are health benefits associated with cycling where it increases the total amount of physical activity, safety continues to be a concern, and represents a barrier to cycling fulfilling its transport potential.
116. GPS 2015 will support this result through:
Increased investment in cycle networks: Additional investment is needed in safe cycle facilities in urban areas. GPS 2015 will enable:
extension of the dedicated cycle networks in the main urban areas
improved suburban routes for cyclists.
117. This investment will be supplemented through an Urban Cycleway Programme that brings forward selected cycling improvements.
Objective: A land transport system that is resilient
Description
118. A resilient land transport system meets future needs and endures shocks. It needs to deal with the impact of hard-to-predict shocks (for example, major earthquakes or extreme weather events) on the most critical points in the network. It also needs to deal with more common events, such as disruptions to service due to vehicle breakdowns on key commuter routes. Additionally it needs to accommodate likely future needs and the related uncertainties.
119. Disruptions to New Zealand’s land transport system have implications for its users. When disruptions occur, services need to be restored based on the importance of the link within the network. The risk of disruption may increase as infrastructure ages and the demands on the infrastructure change. Improvement funding needs to be divided efficiently between improving the reliability and productivity of networks to reoccurring events and making the system more resistant to shocks at critical points.
120. Hazards are not limited to events that occur over a short period. They include gradual changes in environmental or demographic patterns. It is important that the transport system is developed with an eye not only on current needs, but also on future needs and the related uncertainties.
121. There are four key components to resilience:
planning, through forecasting, system analysis and risk assessment
prevention, through improvements at or around the most critical points to avoid or mitigate the worst effects of a likely event
immediate response, through emergency works that restore basic usability and access
remediation, through re-establishing fit-for-purpose infrastructure.
Government’s long term result under this objective
Result: Improved network resilience at the most critical points
122. Planning involves work to identify likely resilience issues, assessing the consequences for the existing system and identifying appropriate actions in the form of preventive measures to support rapid recovery and remedial works.
123. Priority needs to be given to improving the system’s resistance to disruptions that pose the highest economic and social costs. As with other investments, this will need to be targeted to where the most gains can be secured for investment.
124. Prevention will therefore need to be directed to the most critical points on the network and the most pressing future needs. Even at these critical points there may be instances where a significant risk has been identified but cannot be mitigated efficiently. Therefore, access cannot be guaranteed at all critical points of risk and alternative routes may continue to be limited.
125. Rapid response is required to restore basic levels of service following significant disruptions on the network. 7
126. Remediation involves returning the affected parts of a network back to a fit-for-purpose condition after a shock occurs. Remediation is not restoration. Network condition may differ from the condition prior to the event.
127. GPS 2015 will support this result through:
Ongoing investment in improving network resilience aspart of network improvements: Improvements are needed at the most critical points to reduce the impacts of disruption.
Ongoing investment in responding to incidents aspart of road maintenance: Investment in the initial response to restore basic land transport access after significant disruption.
Provisions enabling bespoke funding for extraordinary events: Financial management provisions allowing a flexible response to a major event with multi-year implications for the management of the Fund.
Objective: A land transport system that is a safe system, increasingly free of death and serious injury
Description
128. Road safety is an ongoing issue. The overall trend is that the number of deaths and serious injuries are reducing due to a combination of improvements in vehicle safety, driver behaviour and road infrastructure. Nevertheless, the costs of road trauma remain high. The Government’s road safety direction is set out in the Safe System approach of the Safer Journeys Strategy.
Government’s long term result under this objective
Result: Reduction in deaths and serious injuries
129. While the social costs and numbers of actual deaths and injuries arising from road crashes has been falling, there is still a significant cost and New Zealand is not achieving the level of performance reached by some other countries.
130. To increase the benefits of road use to New Zealanders, it is important to support road safety interventions that have the greatest effect relative to cost. The GPS enables investment in road safety policing, road safety promotion and safer roading infrastructure.
131. We need to get to a position where the total investment in safety is better understood. The level of investment in safety needs to be known to support well-informed safety investment.
132. GPS 2015 will support this result though:
Maintaining investment and improving returns in road safety: Road safety results are tracking in the right direction, and there is a case to at least maintain existing resourcing for road safety policing, road safety promotion and safety-related roading infrastructure.
Clear reporting on the investment in road safety infrastructure: Clear reporting is needed on what is spent on road safety infrastructure. In order to make the most effective investment in road safety, it is important to continue to increase the understanding of the factors contributing to road safety, their effectiveness and their cost, so that good choices can be made. GPS 2015 will enable:
a focus on improved reporting of the effectiveness of safety-related road investment, with a view to improve future allocations.
Objective: A land transport system that mitigates the effects of land transport on the environment
Description
133. Land transport can have significant local, national and global effects on the environment, including on public health and climate change. Improvements to the land transport system can reduce existing harmful effects as well as mitigate the adverse effects of increased traffic. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport is an important consideration in investment policy. The New Zealand Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy seeks a more energy-efficient transport system with a greater diversity of fuels and alternative energy technologies. The long lived nature of transport infrastructure means that decisions today can have long term implications for the environment and fuel use. The effects can be direct or indirect and can accumulate over time.
Government’s long term result under this objective
Result: Mitigation of adverse environmental effects
134. Land transport investment can have positive as well as negative impacts on the environment. Investment in motorways or expressways that removes traffic from suburban streets can significantly improve the living environment for many people within the transport catchment. Investment that reduces fuel use by enabling shorter trips or smoother traffic flow can reduce the national or global impacts of land transport.
135. However, improvements can have adverse impacts on those living closest to the new facilities. These local impacts are addressed in the course of securing Resource Management Act 1991 approvals to enable benefits to wider society to be unlocked.
136. We need to get to a position where the total investment in environmental mitigation is better understood. The level of investment in environmental mitigation needs to be known to support well informed decisions that get the best returns from our investment.
137. GPS 2015 will support this result through
Enabling the mitigation of environmental effects: The scale of the land transport investment programme will result in a continued significant investment in mitigating the adverse effects of improvements, concentrating on the most adverse effects.
Clear reporting on the investment in environmental mitigation: The first step to improving returns from this investment is securing a better understanding of the costs involved. A better understanding of the costs of environmental mitigation is needed to support well informed investment.
Objective: A land transport system that delivers the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost
Description
138. The land transport system plays a vital role in connecting our society, providing access to economic and social opportunities that enable people and businesses to fulfil their potential, without undue effects on others. Investment must be effective and efficient in advancing objectives related to access, choice, resilience, safety and environmental effects. The funds available need to be directed to the most cost effective forms of investment at optimal times and in the most effective form, within the funding ranges established by the GPS.
139. The demand for investment tends to outstrip the available revenue so funding needs to be directed to the investments that deliver the best possible value to New Zealanders. To achieve this, several elements are needed to support well informed decision making.
140. Clear signals about the Government’s strategic priorities are needed. The priorities give weight to particular aspects of relevant transport objectives. This weighting is reflected in the amount allocated to different activity classes in the GPS, and the associated primary results and reporting. The measurable net benefits across investment types can therefore vary.
141. Systematic reporting and publication of these net welfare benefits by investment type is needed. This form of reporting reveals the value being delivered to New Zealand under existing investment settings and informs future GPS investment decisions. Thorough cost-benefit analysis delivers the necessary quantitative rigor and transparency, and is a key component in reporting under the GPS. It enables comparison and ranking of investment options. It is also a key component of post investment reviews and subsequent investment planning cycles.
Government’s long term results under this objective
Delivery of the right infrastructure and services to the right level
142. Making the right transport investments is important for the Government’s priorities of economic growth and productivity, road safety and value for money.
143. GPS 2015 particularly focuses on gains through the continuous assessment of the results achieved by the investment analysis process. GPS 2015 includes a Ministerial expectation setting out how the efficiency of investment needs to be reported and published by the Agency.
144. Additional funding is made available within the Investment Management activity class to support the investment assessment work needed to deliver this increased focus on investment efficiency.
Improved returns from road maintenance
145. Under GPS 2012 significant progress has been made on improving the effectiveness of investment in the existing road network, and the Government is seeking to continue this momentum in GPS 2015. All road controlling authorities should work together to continually improve asset management and procurement approaches, and to share best practice with others.
146. In monitoring this progress, GPS 2015 includes a Ministerial expectation setting out how road maintenance needs to be reported by the Agency.
Improved returns from public transport
147. Significant progress has also been made on the effectiveness of public transport investment under GPS 2012, and the Government is seeking to continue this momentum in GPS 2015. All agencies involved in funding and regulating public transport services should work together to continually improve service design and procurement approaches, and to share best practice with others.
148. In monitoring this progress GPS 2015 includes a range of patronage-based reporting obligations in the public transport activity class.
<< Previous | Contents | Next >>
[6] For example, the number of jobs that can be reached per hour of travel needs to increase over time if our growing cities are to become more productive and remain attractive places to live.
[7] This response can range from maintenance contractors having a mandate to deal with incidents immediately, through to special arrangements, such as pre-positioned tow trucks on congested motorway corridors where breakdowns are common.
Strategic priority: Road safety
90. Road safety remains a key transport priority for the Government. Every year thousands of New Zealanders are killed or seriously injured in crashes.
91. The Government has taken a ‘Safe System’ approach to road safety through the Safer Journeys road safety strategy. This approach looks across the entire transport system aiming for safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds, safer vehicles, and safer road users.
Strategic priority: Value for money
92. All the funds available to advance the results identified in this GPS need to be used in a way that deliver the best possible value to New Zealanders. We need a land transport system that is effective in enabling the movement of people and freight in a timely manner, and efficient in delivering the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost. This relies upon a robust and transparent prioritisation of investment.
93. All the public bodies involved in providing the land transport system, including the Agency and local authorities, need to work together to improve the system’s performance. The Agency, as the Government’s delivery agent, will continue to take a leading role in securing improved effectiveness and efficiency within the priorities for investment established by the Government.
94. GPS 2015 also continues the process of building and maintaining a sound knowledge base about how the transport system is used, how investment in the network is performing, and the measurable results of those investments on our economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
B. National land transport objectives and results
95. For the first time, this GPS identifies a set of national land transport objectives. The national land transport objectives for GPS 2015 are for a land transport system that:
addresses current and future demand for access to economic and social opportunities
provides appropriate transport choices
is resilient
is a safe system, increasingly free of death and serious injury
mitigates the effects of land transport on the environment
delivers the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost.
96. Each of the objectives are described in more detail in the following pages.
97. The GPS is also required to include the long and short to medium term results that the Government wants to achieve from the allocation of investment from the Fund. The primary long term results sought from the investment are set out in Table 1. A full list of the long and short term results is set out at Table 3 .
C. Mapping the strategic priorities, objectives and results
98. The strategic priorities of economic growth and productivity, road safety and value for money in GPS 2015 give more weight to some of the national land transport objectives than others. This weighting is reflected in the relative amounts allocated to different activity classes and the associated primary long term results.
99. The relationship between the priorities, objectives and primary long term results are mapped in Table 1.
Table 1: Relationships between strategic priorities, national land transport objectives and primary long term results
Priorities
National land transport objectives
Primary long term results
Economic growth and productivity
A land transport system that addresses current and future demand for access to economic and social opportunities
Support economic growth and productivity through the provision of better access to markets, employment and business areas
Support economic growth of regional New Zealand through provision of bette raccess to markets
A land transport system that provides appropriate transport choices
Provide appropriate travel choices, particularly for people with limited access to a private vehicle
Increased safe cycling through improvement of cycle networks
A land transport system that is resilient
Improved network resilience at the most critical points
Road safety
A land transport system that is a safe system, increasingly free of death and serious injury
Reduction in deaths and serious injuries
A land transport system that mitigates the effects of land transport on the environment
Mitigation of adverse environmental effects
Value for money
A land transport system that delivers the right infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost
Delivery of the right infrastructure and services to the right level
Improved returns from road maintenance
Improved returns rom public transport
Objective: A land transport system that addresses current and future demand for access to economic and social opportunities
Description
100. The land transport system has a critical role in connecting where people live, work and play. These connections are vital to New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing. The demands placed on the system are dynamic and will vary with changing economic and social conditions.
101. A land transport system that can adjust to match capacity with demand reduces the costs imposed on other parts of the economy and enables New Zealand to compete more effectively with international trading partners.
102. Access relates to the economic and social opportunities that can be reached in a given travel time. [6]
Government’s long term results under this objective
Result: Support economic growth and productivity through the provision of better access to markets, employment and business areas
103. New Zealand’s existing network is reasonably well developed and provides most of the connections needed at a local, regional and national level. However, there are opportunities to improve access to markets, to employment, and between areas that contribute to economic growth and productivity.
104. GPS 2015 will support this through:
Ongoing investment in our State highway network: Some State highway routes link growing economic areas, or have existing infrastructure that cannot cope with existing demands, such as heavier vehicles, and need improvement. GPS 2015 will enable:
the RoNS programme to be completed, addressing constraints on key supply chain routes
ongoing investment in improvements to increase the percentage of the State highway network open to high productivity motor vehicles.
Investment in Auckland: Well connected and accessible cities are critical to our economic and social prosperity. Our population and associated economic activity is increasingly concentrated in our urban areas. As the activity within our cities increases, so does the amount of traffic.
The productivity and performance of networks in our growing urban areas needs to increase significantly if access is to be maintained and enhanced. Improving access is a particular issue in Auckland. Auckland is expected to account for 60 percent of New Zealand’s population growth over the next 20 years. Many corridors will come under increased traffic pressure. These traffic pressures will be compounded where land use intensifies alongside transport corridors in a way that adversely impacts on network productivity and performance.
An Auckland transport network that is working well is crucial to improving the contribution that the city can make to New Zealand’s economic growth and productivity.This includes addressing associated needs such as a responsive housing supply and improving energy efficiency. Increased demand for travel arising from population growth also needs to be accommodated at an acceptable price. This will require the efficient and effective use of all currently available transport tools, including improved traffic management, demand management and increases in network productivity. GPS 2015 will enable:
continued significant investment in a range of transport initiatives that increase the productivity of key corridors which are under pressure by improving factors like speed-flow, patronage, journey times, or journey time reliability
this investment will be complemented through the Auckland Transport Package, which will bring forward high value State highway improvements to materially improve motorway service levels.
Ongoing investment in Canterbu r y recove r y: The Canterbury earthquake recovery is well underway, with provision in place under GPS 2012 to enable the recovery programme to proceed as quickly as possible. GPS 2015 will enable:
completion of the recovery of the Canterbury land transport system, including supporting the delivery of the Central City Recovery
Plan and the Greater Christchurch Recovery
Strategy.
d. Increase investment in our local road network:
Local roads have a critical role in linking areas of production and processing to the national network, and in supporting new areas of residential and business growth.They account for 88 percent of the network by length and provide most of the direct access to properties. GPS 2015 will enable:
•increased funding ranges for local road improvements that deliver high measurable investment returns.
e. Investment in regional improvements on roads outside our major metropolitan areas which play a particular role in our export freight task and tourist industry. GPS 2015 will enable:
•an explicit commitment to funding new regional road infrastructure through the GPS Regional Improvements activity class that can be accessed for any improvements outside our major metropolitan areas.This replaces regional population based funding.
This investment will be further supplemented through the Accelerated Regional RoadingPackage that supports improvements to regional State highways.
Result: Support economic growth of regional New Zealand through the provision of better access to markets
105.Local roads and State highways have a critical
role linking areas of production and processing to the national network. However, there are some regional routes with an especially significantrole in the movement of freight and tourists that warrant a particular investment focus.
106.GPS 2015 will support this result through:
a. A Regional Improvements activity class: Regional and provincial routes have a critical role in linking points of production with key distribution points.They also provide tourists with access to local attractions. GPS 2015 will enable:
•targeted investment in regional route improvements outside of major metropolitan areas that provide links to key freight or tourist centres, and allocation of all unallocated regionally distributed funding.
This investment will be further supplemented through the Accelerated Regional RoadingPackage that supports improvements to regional State highways.
Result: Improved returns from road maintenance
107.The network needs to adjust to accommodate changing patterns of demand. Service levels on some roads may be adjusted upward and others adjusted downward over time.
108.GPS 2015 will support this result through:
a. Ongoing investment in main t aining the roading network: Around $1.5 billion a year is invested in operation, maintenance and renewal of the existing network.The Road MaintenanceTaskforce (theTaskforce) identifiedthe potential for worthwhile improvements in road asset management, including the need for a nationally consistent road classificationsystem.The
potential benefitsidentifiedby theTaskforce have yet to be fully realised. GPS 2015 will enable:
•maintenance of the road network at appropriate levels of service
•increased road maintenance productivity over time.
Result: Improved returns from public transport
109.Public transport contributes to economic growth and productivity by providing additional capacity on corridors serving our main business and education centres at peak periods. It also has a role in providing transport choices.
110.GPS 2015 will support this result through:
a. Continued investment in public transpo r t t o increase land transpo r t system productivity: Considerable investment has been made in the public transport network to build patronage. Much of this investment has been ahead of patronage demand, particularly in metro rail services. A period of consolidation is needed where the focus is on securing the anticipated
patronagegainsfrommeasuressuchasintegrated ticketing, reconfiguredbus networks, and metro rail investments.There are nevertheless some pressure points where additional capacity may be needed.
Well used and configuredpublic transport can increase network productivity on key corridors at peak periods when they are under the most pressure.For example, while constraints on Auckland rail capacity are not expected in
the next decade, as a result of the significant additional capacity on new electric trains, bus congestion in the Auckland central business district is expected to emerge as patronage grows and additional services are provided. GPS 2015 will enable:
•public transport to be provided and developed at levels appropriate to their patronage and network function
•improvements to metro rail services to be completed, and integrated ticketing and public transport network changes introduced to increase patronage, including transfer and interchange facilities
•targeted infrastructure improvements that improve transfers across the network and address emerging bus capacity constraints in central Auckland,Wellington and Christchurch
•gains in public transport productivity.
Objective: A land transport system that provides appropriate transport choices
Description
111.The land transport system needs to be able to support transport choices appropriate to user needs, enabling transport users to access employment, education, and social opportunities.
Government’s long term results under this objective
Result: Provide appropriate travel choices, particularly for people with limited access to a private vehicle
112.Whiletheprimaryroleofpublictransportinvestment is to increase throughput where the network is experiencing severe congestion, as addressed under the previous objective, public transport has an additional role in providing an alternative to private transport in urban areas where there is a sufficient concentration of users to support cost effective public transport. On-demand services for the transport disadvantaged also provide a degree of network access to people who cannot use scheduled public transport or private transport.
113.GPS 2015 will support this result through:
a. Continued investment in public transpo r t t o provide appropri a te tr a vel choices t o system users:Carefully scheduled and configuredpublic transport, particularly in off-peak periods in urban areas, can contribute to increasing the transport choices available to people, including those who would otherwise be unable to participate fully in the workforce or education system. Service extensions may be warranted where demand is sufficientto support scheduled public transport. Achieving this result requires a focus on better use of available resources. GPS 2015 will enable:
•provision of appropriate transport choices in urban areas.
b. Continued investment in specialised se r vices: Public transport investment can deliver specialised services, like theTotal Mobility scheme, that provide access to the transport system for those not able to use a car or public transport. GPS 2015 will enable:
•provision of appropriate transport choices for the transport disadvantaged.
Result: Increased safe cycling through improvement of cycle networks
114.Cycling provides an alternative for short journeys and for single purpose trips like commuting to work or school. Dedicated investment in cycling under GPS 2012 has delivered encouraging outcomes from the Model Communities initiatives and has improved cycle links.While cycling currently plays a small role in the total transport task, there has been growth in some areas and the existing cycling facilities are largely fragmented.There are opportunities for cycling to take a greater role in providing transport system capacity in our urban areas.
115.While there are health benefitsassociated with cycling where it increases the total amount of physical activity, safety continues to be a concern, and represents a barrier to cycling fulfillingits transport potential.
116.GPS 2015 will support this result through:
a. Increased investment in cycle networks: Additional investment is needed in safe cycle facilities in urban areas. GPS 2015 will enable:
•extension of the dedicated cycle networks in the main urban areas
•improved suburban routes for cyclists.
117.This investment will be supplemented through an Urban CyclewayProgramme that brings forward selected cycling improvements.
Objective: A land transport system that is resilient
Description
118.A resilient land transport system meets future needs and endures shocks. It needs to deal with the impact of hard-to-predict shocks (for example, major earthquakes or extreme weather events) on the most critical points in the network. It also needs to deal with more common events, such as disruptions to service due to vehicle breakdowns on key commuter routes. Additionally it needs to accommodate likely future needs and the related uncertainties.
119.Disruptions to NewZealand’s land transport system have implications for its users.When disruptions occur, services need to be restored based on the importance of the link within the network.The risk of disruption may increase as infrastructure ages and the demands on the infrastructure change. Improvement funding needs to be divided efficiently between improving the reliability and productivity of networks to reoccurring events and making the system more resistant to shocks at critical points.
120.Hazards are not limited to events that occur over a short period.They include gradual changes in environmental or demographic patterns. It is important that the transport system is developed with an eye not only on current needs, but also on future needs and the related uncertainties.
121.There are four key components to resilience:
•planning, through forecasting, system analysis and risk assessment
•prevention, through improvements at or around the most critical points to avoid or mitigate the worst effects of a likely event
•immediate response, through emergency works that restore basic usability and access
•remediation, through re-establishing fit-for- purpose infrastructure.
Government’s long term result under this objective
Result: Improved network resilience at the most critical points
122.Planning involves work to identify likely resilience issues, assessing the consequences for the existing system and identifying appropriate actions in the form of preventive measures to support rapid recovery and remedial works.
123.Priority needs to be given to improving the system’s resistance to disruptions that pose the highest economic and social costs. As with other investments, this will need to be targeted to where the most gains can be secured for investment.
124.Prevention will therefore need to be directed to the most critical points on the network and the most pressing future needs. Even at these critical points there may be instances where a significantrisk has been identifiedbut cannot be mitigated efficiently.Therefore, access cannot be guaranteed at all critical points of risk and alternative routes may continue to be limited.
125.Rapid response is required to restore basic levels of service following significantdisruptions on the network. 7
126.Remediation involves returning the affected parts of a network back to a fit-for-purposecondition after a shock occurs. Remediation is not restoration. Network condition may differ from the condition prior to the event.
127.GPS 2015 will support this result through:
a.Ongoing investment in improving network resilience aspart of network improvements:Improvements are needed at the most critical points to reduce the impacts of disruption.
b.Ongoing investment in respondingto incidents aspart of road maintenance:Investment in the initial response to restore basic land transport access after significantdisruption.
c.Provisions enabling bespoke funding for extraordinary events:Financial management provisions allowing a flexibleresponse to a major event with multi-year implications for the management of theFund.
7 This response can range from maintenance contractors having a mandate to deal with incidents immediately, through to special arrangements, such as pre-positioned tow trucks on congested motorway corridors where breakdowns are common.
Objective: A land transport system that is a safe system, increasingly free of death and serious injury
Description
128.Road safety is an ongoing issue.The overall trend is that the number of deaths and serious injuries are reducing due to a combination of improvements in vehicle safety, driver behaviour and road infrastructure. Nevertheless, the costs of road trauma remain high.The Government’s road safety direction is set out in the Safe System approach of the Safer Journeys Strategy.
Government’s long term result under this objective
Result: Reduction in deaths and serious injuries
129.While the social costs and numbers of actual deaths and injuries arising from road crashes has been falling, there is still a significantcost and NewZealand is not achieving the level of performance reached by some other countries.
130.To increase the benefitsof road use to NewZealanders, it is important to support road safety interventions that have the greatest effect relative to cost.The GPS enables investment in road safety policing, road safety promotion and safer roading infrastructure.
131.We need to get to a position where the total investment in safety is better understood.The level of investment in safety needs to be known to support well-informed safety investment.
132.GPS 2015 will support this result though:
a. Main t aining investment and improving returns in road safety: Road safety results are tracking in the right direction, and there is a case to at least maintain existing resourcing for road safety policing, road safety promotion and safety-related roading infrastructure.
b. Clear repo r ting on the investment in road safety infrastructure: Clear reporting is needed on what is spent on road safety infrastructure. In order to make the most effective investment in road safety, it is important to continue to increase the understanding of the factors contributing to road safety, their effectiveness and their cost, so that good choices can be made. GPS 2015 will enable:
•a focus on improved reporting of the effectiveness of safety-related road investment, with a view to improve future allocations.
Objective: A land transport system that mitigates the effects of land transport on the environment
Description
133.Land transport can have significantlocal, national and global effects on the environment, including on public health and climate change. Improvements to the land transport system can reduce existing harmful effects as well as mitigate the adverse effects of increased traffic.Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport is an important consideration in investment policy.The NewZealand Energy EfficiencyConservation Strategy seeks a more energy-efficienttransport system with a greater diversity of fuels and alternative energy technologies.The long lived nature of transport infrastructure means that decisions today can have long term implications for the environment and fuel use.The effec