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John Gill Road, Shelly Park - Raised Zebra Crossing John Gill Road, Shelly Park - Raised Zebra Crossing

Proposal status: Closed

Reference number: SSM2122-008

Proposal outcome

In October 2022, we proposed to install a raised zebra crossing outside 82 John Gill Road, Shelly Park with the aim to improve pedestrian safety and encourage safer speeds along this road.

We appreciate there has been a delay in publishing the proposal outcome and would like to thank the community for their patience as we conducted additional monitoring of speeds along John Gill Road in March 2023. This was to help us better understand the general driving behaviours along this road after the new 30km/h speed limit came into effect.

Our results show that while most drivers were travelling at appropriate speeds during school drop off and pick up times when this section of road was busiest, many drivers were travelling at speeds not considered survivable in the event of a crash involving a pedestrian. During the period where most school children use the crossing, 63% of drivers were travelling above the speed limit.

After reviewing all the feedback we received from residents and considering the speed monitoring findings, we are proceeding with the project as proposed, with a minor update to the design:

  • In response to feedback, we also plan to install additional broken yellow lines along the corner of Cyclades Place and John Gill Road to reinforce the existing no parking 6 metres of an intersection restriction.

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next

We anticipate the changes will be constructed between September 2023 to May 2024. We will be in touch with local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.

Community feedback

Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.  

Residents have let us know that these proposed changes will help encourage safer speeds along John Gill Road which would improve safety for children crossing here.

Residents have also put forward some questions, suggestions, and concerns about this proposal. A summary of this, categorised by key themes, and our responses are below.

Raised Crossing

  • Concern that the raised crossing will not improve road safety.

The changes will provide local pedestrians and students with a safer place to cross as well as promote safer speeds along John Gill Road. Raised zebra crossings have proven to be an effective way of slowing motorists to 30km/h or less, which is a speed that greatly reduces the chances of a pedestrian being killed or seriously injured in the event of a crash. Providing pedestrians with a priority crossing point and slowing drivers down to a survivable speed at the point where pedestrians are most vulnerable, will provide significant improvements to the safety of all road users.

  • Concern that installing a raised crossing is unnecessary as this crossing will not be used frequently by pedestrians outside of school times.

Installing a raised zebra crossing provides pedestrians with a priority crossing point and helps slow motorists down to a survivable speed at the point where pedestrians are most vulnerable. While this crossing is used most frequently at the start and end of school, pedestrians do cross here outside school times. This change would provide significant improvements to the safety of road users at all times.

  • Concern the raised crossing is unnecessary as this crossing point is already patrolled by the school.

While this crossing point will be patrolled when school starts and ends, this change aims to improve the safety of all pedestrians where they are most vulnerable.

  • Concern the raised crossing is unnecessary as John Gill Road is not a busy road outside of school times.

We appreciate that while John Gill Road is less busy outside of school times, the aim of this project is to improve safety for road users at all times. The changes will provide local pedestrians and students with a safer crossing and promote safer speeds along John Gill Road. Raised Zebra Crossings have proven to be an effective way of slowing motorists to 30km/h or less which is a speed that greatly reduces the chances of a pedestrian being killed or seriously injured if a crash occurred.

This project, along with the speed limit changes aim to encourage walking and cycling activity and improve safety for all road users.

  • Concern that the raised crossing is unnecessary as there are existing low speed limits during school times.

The raised crossing will provide pedestrians with a priority crossing point and help slow drivers down to a survivable speed at the point where pedestrians are most vulnerable. This will provide significant improvements to the safety of road users at all times. This project, along with the new 30km/h speed limit change in the area aim to encourage walking and cycling activity and improve safety for all road users.

  • Query regarding the size and height of the raised crossing.

The size and height of the raised crossing will be similar to other raised crossings in Auckland.

  • Query to know if the crossing will continue to be patrolled before and after school.

This crossing will continue to be patrolled by Shelly Park Primary School.

  • Concern the raised crossing is unnecessary as there is no speeding issue on John Gill Road.

While most drivers travel at safe and appropriate speeds along John Gill Road, we have observed many drivers travelling at higher speeds, particularly through this section.

We conducted additional speed monitoring in March 2023, and found that while most people travel at the appropriate speed, many drivers were travelling at speeds not considered survivable in the event of a pedestrian related crash. The new crossing will be an effective way of slowing drivers to 30km/h or less.

  • Concern that the raised crossing is unnecessary as there are no problems for people crossing the road.

We proposed these changes as raised zebra crossings have proven to be an effective way of slowing drivers to 30km/h or less which is a speed that greatly reduces the chances of a pedestrian being killed or seriously injured if a crash occurs.

  • Concern that cars slowing down to go over the raised crossing but then quickly accelerating, especially going up-hill, will be more dangerous than traveling at a steady pace.

The raised zebra crossing, and the new 30km/h speed limit would encourage people to drive along John Gill Road, and especially through the crossing point at a speed that is internationally recognised as the survivable speed for people walking and cycling.

  • Suggestion that the speed bump should be higher up the road and lower down the road as the current proposed crossing slows traffic too late.

Drivers will need to slow down to travel over the raised crossing. The location of the raised table is where drivers will be at their slowest. Speed humps either side of the crossing will allow drivers to travel at faster speeds through the crossing point.

  • Concern about the location of the raised crossing, that it is right by Sunnyview Road.

We will install advance warning signs on Sunnyview Road to let people know they are approaching the crossing. The parking restrictions ensure that pedestrians waiting to cross the road have good visibility of approaching vehicles on John Gill Road and Sunnyview Avenue.

Road Safety

  • Suggestion that due to the school traffic, vehicles do not travel at high speeds at the start and end of school.

The changes would provide pedestrians a place where they have priority to cross at all times as well as help to slow motorists to 30km/h or less which is a speed that greatly reduces the chances of a pedestrian being killed or seriously injured in the event of a crash.

Our results show that while most drivers were travelling at appropriate speeds, many drivers were travelling at speeds not considered survivable in the event of a pedestrian related crash. During the period where most school children use the crossing, 63% of drivers were travelling above the speed limit.

  • Suggestion that there have been no accidents within recent years.

There have been two reported crashes in the vicinity of the raised crossing in the past five years. Though, crashes are not the only reason for installing this type of crossing. Research from various road safety organisations such as Austroads and International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD) shows that a direct impact speed of 30km/h is the maximum a healthy human body can withstand without sustaining serious life changing injuries. Research also indicates that the death risk is about 4-5 times higher in collisions between a car and a pedestrian on foot at 50km/h compared to the same type of collisions at 30km/h.

Raised crossings are an effective way of slowing drivers down to 30km/h or less and significantly reducing the risk of a death or serious injury in the event of a crash.

  • Query to know if a 40km/h light that operates before the start of school and end of the school day will be installed?

Electronic signs during school drop off and pick up times that display a 40km/h speed limit are typically used on busier main roads where it is appropriate for the permanent speed limit to be higher during the rest of the day.

Shelly Park School is in a residential area where the speed limit at all times of the day has been reduced to 30km/h. Permanent speed limit signs showing “30” have been installed at the entrances to the 30km/h zone and red pavement markings with “30” painted inside them are also being installed to highlight the new speed limit. For this reason, electronic signs will not be installed.

Parking

  • Suggestion for broken yellow lines at the intersection between Cyclades Place and John Gill Road.

We appreciate your suggestion. Parking within 6m of an intersection is already illegal, however while we are doing this project, we will paint parking restrictions on this corner to reinforce where it is already illegal to park.

  • Suggestion for temporary no parking restrictions during school times.

We minimised the proposed parking restrictions to only what is required to ensure that pedestrians at the crossing and approaching drivers can clearly see each other. The proposed parking restrictions need to be permanent to ensure the crossing can operate safely at all times. We will not be installing temporary no parking restrictions during school times.

  • Concern about the loss of on-street parking near the crossing point as a result of installing a raised crossing and that the no stopping at all times restriction do not take into consideration parking demand during the weekend and evening.

Outside of times where there is school related activity the on-street parking demand along John Gill Road is relatively low. While we understand that the new parking restrictions mean that you may need to park further away, the restrictions are required at all times to ensure that the raised zebra crossing can operate safely.

  • Suggestion for broken yellow lines on the western side of John Gill Road to stop in line with where the broken yellow lines end on the eastern side (outside #73).

We minimised the proposed parking restrictions to only what is required to ensure that pedestrians at the crossing approaching drivers can clearly see each other.

Impact on Environment

  • Concern regarding streetlighting and flashing belisha beacons causing light pollution at night and query regarding the type/angle of light beam used by the new streetlights and its impact on neighbouring properties.

The lighting will be designed according to national lighting standards which take into consideration light pollution and disturbance that may be caused to neighbouring properties. The specific lighting design will be undertaken during the detailed design stage, prior to construction.

  • Query about whether the existing streetlights will be replaced with new streetlights, or will they remain, and new additional streetlights will be installed.

A complete streetlighting assessment will be undertaken in the next design stage to determine whether the existing streetlights are sufficient to meet the lighting standard required for a raised zebra crossing. Zebra crossings typically require streetlights next to them on both sides of the road, so it is likely that new streetlights will be required. However, this will be determined in the next design stage.

  • Concern about noise pollution caused by vehicles slowing down and then accelerating as a result of the raised crossing.

Waka Kotahi’s advice is that noise level generally increases with speed. Considering that the raised crossing will reduce speeds along John Gill Road, it is more likely that there will be a reduction in noise levels after the installation of the raised crossing.

We do, however, appreciate that if there are isolated incidents where drivers approach and traverse the raised crossing at high speeds, and this may cause a nuisance to residents.

  • Concern about the impact of additional emissions on the environment as a result of the raised crossing.

When we propose to install raised safety devices or traffic calming interventions, safety is the primary rationale. We are committed to Tamaki Makaurau’s Vision Zero goal and believe that the increased safety benefits for pedestrians are likely to outweigh any increase in vehicle emissions and can potentially help make it easier for people to choose other modes of transport such as walking, and cycling. These modes of transport have a lower environmental impact and can help offset the environmental impact of installing a raised crossing.

Reducing carbon emissions is important to Auckland Transport and we are currently looking to better understand the environmental impact of raised pedestrian crossings and its implications on a broader scale. We are working alongside Waka Kotahi to review the effects of physical traffic calming measures (including intersection treatments) on vehicle exhaust emissions.

Other

  • Request for statistical information that validates this proposal.

There have been two reported crashes in the vicinity of the raised crossing in the past five years. Though, crashes are not the only reason for installing this type of crossing.

Raised zebra crossings have been proven to be an effective way of slowing motorists to 30km/h or less, which is essential to ensure pedestrian safety. A study was undertaken in 2021 at raised crossings on Gossamer Drive and Sandringham Road in Auckland. Data was collected for a seven day period near the crossings and on the approaches and departures of the crossing. This study found that the mean speed of drivers ranged between 20-25 km/h at the crossing point. International studies have also found significant reductions in speed on the approaches to similar traffic calming devices.

The internationally accepted speed to greatly reduce the chances of a pedestrian being killed or seriously injured is 30km/h. Research from various road safety organisations such as Austroads and International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD) shows that a direct impact speed of 30km/h is the maximum a healthy human body can withstand without sustaining serious life changing injuries. Research also indicates that the death risk is about 4-5 times higher in collisions between a car and a pedestrian on foot at 50km/h compared to the same type of collisions at 30km/h.

  • Request for CCTV cameras to be installed for general community safety purposes and monitor potential unsafe driving behaviours (such burn outs) near schools.

Auckland Transport do not install CCTV cameras for general community safety purposes. We suggest you contact the Police regarding these issues.

  • Suggestion to send a parking warden to monitor and deter unsafe driving behaviours in this area (U-turns at inappropriate locations and parking on broken yellow lines).

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will escalate your concerns regarding illegal parking to our Parking Enforcement team. If you do see a vehicle illegally parked, we encourage you to contact us on 09 355 3553 with the vehicle’s details to request a parking officer visit the site.

We cannot enforce unsafe driving behaviour. In these situations, we suggest you contact the Police.

Proposal update

We received a wide range of feedback from local residents about this proposal on John Gill Road. After reviewing all the feedback we’ve received, we will be doing some additional monitoring of vehicle speeds along John Gill Road, after the speed limit changes come into effect on 26 January 2023. The findings will help us decide on a proposal outcome that best reflects the safety needs of the community.

We aim to publish the outcome of the proposal, our response to any suggestions or concerns raised by the community on this webpage in the next couple of months. We thank everyone for sending us feedback and apologise for this delay. We will be back in contact as soon as possible.

We're proposing improvements in your area

As part of our Safe Speeds programme to improve pedestrian safety and promote safer speeds, we are proposing to install a raised zebra crossing on John Gill Road, Shelly Park.

This proposed change is part of our plan to support safe speeds near schools.

We are proposing to:

  • Install a new raised zebra crossing outside 82 John Gill Road to slow motorists to a safe speed at the crossing point and increase pedestrian visibility.
  • Install tactile pavers at the crossing point. These are yellow guidance paving markers to help visually impaired people to find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
  • Paint road markings and broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) near the raised zebra crossing to improve visibility for pedestrians and motorists.
  • Install new signage and streetlights to support the changes.

Download the proposal drawing for John Gill Road, Shelly Park (PDF 1.6MB).

We have visited your neighbourhood and noticed that some vehicles travelling on John Gill Road are going faster than what is appropriate within a residential area. Installing a raised zebra crossing will encourage vehicles to travel at a safer speed which improves safety for all road users at this location.

The raised zebra crossing will elevate pedestrians, especially children, to be at eye-level of approaching drivers. This will help make pedestrians crossing the road or are waiting to cross more visible to drivers from a distance.

The raised crossing will also be level with the footpath which makes crossing at this location more comfortable for everyone, especially people with prams and wheelchairs.

We believe the most suitable location for the proposed raised crossing is outside 82 John Gill Road. There is an existing school patrolled crossing there and it is where school children cross frequently.

Restricting parking near pedestrian crossings improve the safety and visibility of pedestrians, especially children. We propose to paint broken yellow lines near the Sunnyview Avenue and John Gill Road intersection. Parking will not be allowed where broken yellow lines are painted.

These improvements will remove 8 on-street parking spaces.

What happens next

  • We’ll consider all the feedback we receive, and then decide the best way to move forward.
  • We’ll post the outcome of this proposal and a summary of community feedback on this webpage.
  • We can email you the proposal outcome as soon as it’s ready – just select that option when you fill in the survey.

More information

  • This proposal is supported with funding from the Auckland regional fuel tax.

Shelly Park: Safe with us

Auckland Transport cares for your safety. We want to make our roads safe for everyone, people walking and cycling, especially for our kids and senior citizens and people driving. Projects like this one around Shelly Park are another step towards our goal of achieving no deaths or serious injuries on our roads. We are guided by the Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving).