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Bader Drive, Māngere – Signalised Crossings Bader Drive, Māngere – Signalised Crossings

Proposal status: Feedback closed

Reference number: VRU2022-027

Proposal outcome

In April 2022, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety on Bader Drive by installing two signalised crossings. These changes are in response to a rise in crashes involving pedestrians at this location in the past 5 years. After reviewing all the feedback, we are proceeding with the work as proposed.

These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.

What happens next

This proposal is planned for construction in the first six months of the new financial year, starting July 2023. However, if there is any change to the construction dates the webpage will be updated accordingly. 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. A summary of the comments and queries we received, and our responses to them, is below.

Crossing Location

  • Suggestion to position the crossing closer to the roundabout near 141

During the design phase our investigation indicated that the most comfortable and frequently used route for a person to cross the road lays at this location, which, along with the history of crashes at this location, indicates a need for safer pedestrian crossing facilities. Constructing a pedestrian crossing outside of pedestrians preferred route can result in the crossings not being utilised, which would negate the intended outcome of the proposed changes and encourage dangerous pedestrian movements. Installing the proposed crossing in this location also creates a good walking connection to Ashgrove walkway and to the shops.

Traffic

  • Concern that the raised crossings will create congestion and delays due to slowing down large and low vehicles

The proposed raised crossing has a low height of 75mm, a 6m wide top and gentle ramps to make for a smoother journey. This minimises the impact on drivers, especially those in large or low vehicles, as they pass over the crossing. Average journey times are not expected to be significantly affected.

  • Concern that the proposed changes are unnecessary as drivers should not need to slow down here as it is a busy road

This section of Bader Drive is very close to Māngere Town Centre as well as several other amenities that attract pedestrians. The proposed location was chosen because pedestrian data indicates that it is the preferred location to cross Bader Drive, and because the area has a history of pedestrian crashes. The proposal is intended to increase pedestrian safety, access to amenities, and walkability of this area by providing safe formal crossings.

Safety 

  • Concern about the safety of crossing two lanes in both directions and concern that a raised crossing prevents people (especially children) from crossing the road safely as they will walk straight onto the crossing rather than looking both ways

Signalised crossings provides both audio and visual cues to encourage pedestrians, especially children, to push the button and wait for signals to cross and hence are considered safer on multi lane roads where crossing distances are more than 10 metres.

  • Concern that the raised crossing is unnecessary because cars will stop at the red light

Signalised crossings occasionally have issues with rear end crashes and red-light running crashes. The harm that these types of crashes can cause is determined by the speed the drivers are travelling at. Therefore, a raised crossing is beneficial because it encourages drivers to slow down regardless of signal, further improving safety for both pedestrians and all other road users.

Miscellaneous

  • Concern that the raised crossing might exacerbate flooding as Bader Drive floods in heavy rain

We will conduct stormwater modelling and ensure that the final design includes sufficient infrastructure to manage stormwater run-off. 

  • Concern that pedestrians should not have right of way as this means drivers have to stop at short notice for them

This section of Bader Drive is near to Māngere Town Centre and attracts many pedestrians trying to cross the road. This proposal aims to formalise where they are crossing the road as well as make it a safer journey. We are committed to the Vision Zero strategy to minimise death and serious injury to vulnerable road users including children, pedestrians, and people with disabilities. We will include advanced warning signage so that drivers will be prepared to stop at the red light. 

  • Concern that the number of crashes does not warrant this proposal

Any number of crashes on our roads are too many. We want to make our roads safe for everyone, for people walking, cycling, and driving, and especially for our kids and senior citizens. Projects like this one on Bader Drive 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).

  • Suggestion to investigate the crossing on Orly Ave

We have recently carried out improvements on Orly Avenue as part of the Māngere town centre upgrade by installing new raised pedestrian crossing facilities and cycle lanes. We will continue to monitor the performance of these improvements. If you have any specific concerns, please contact us.

We're proposing improvements in your area

We are proposing to improve pedestrian safety on Bader Drive, Māngere, by installing 2 signalised crossings.

We are proposing to:

  • Install a new raised crossing with traffic lights at 125 Bader Drive. The crossing will be on a raised table, which is a flat and wide speed bump. The table will have a gradual slope at one end that will make it comfortable for all vehicles to travel over, including emergency services, buses, and large trucks.
    The traffic lights will have a push button which, when activated, will give pedestrians the right of way to cross. They will also have sound that will let visually impaired people hear when to cross.
  • Upgrade the existing signalised crossing at 119 Bader Drive to a raised crossing with traffic lights. The design will be the same as that of the crossing being installed at 125 Bader Drive. 
  • Paint broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) on Bader Drive and Ashgrove Close to ensure that visibility between pedestrians and drivers is maintained. This will remove a total of 12 on-street parking spaces, 10 on Bader Drive and 2 on Ashgrove Close.
  • Paint advanced stop boxes at the crossings for cyclists. Advanced stop boxes are green boxes painted with a bicycle symbol where people on bikes can wait before the traffic lights. They improve road safety by making cyclists more visible to drivers.
  • Install a cycle ramp at each approach to both crossings to help cyclists safely navigate between the cycle lane and the footpath if they wish to exit here.
  • Install new signage and paint new road markings to alert drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists of the new crossing facility

Download the proposal drawing for Bader Drive (PDF 697KB)

In the last 5 years, there have been 2 crashes on Bader Drive involving pedestrians. These changes will improve pedestrian safety on Bader Drive by providing 2 new crossings that will give pedestrians right of way when they wish to cross to access a wide range of local amenities, including several bus stops.

Traffic count data on this section of Bader Drive shows that vehicles are often travelling at 54.7 km/h eastbound and 55.8 km/h westbound, which is well above the survivable speed limit. The raised table will slow drivers down as they approach the crossing and increase visibility between pedestrians and drivers at the crossing.

Māngere : 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 Bader Drive 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).