The August meeting of Squeaky Wheel took place at 5.30 on Tuesday 4th.
Present were Ron Paulin, Liz Cutler, Max De Lacey, Simon Davenport and Jon Harris.
Simon Davenport, transportation engineer with the Timaru District Council, spoke to us about his work in engineering speed environments on Timaru streets.
The August meeting of Squeaky Wheel took place at 5.30 on Tuesday 4th.
Present were Ron Paulin, Liz Cutler, Max De Lacey, Simon Davenport and Jon Harris.
Simon Davenport, transportation engineer with the Timaru District Council, spoke to us about his work in engineering speed environments on Timaru streets.
The Speed Environment in the Timaru District:
Simon Davenport, Transportation Engineer, Timaru District Council
Simon Davenport's presentation explained the relationship between street design and inappropriate and unsafe vehicle speeds - and the initiative to engineer ‘speed environments'.
Simon explained how there is a void between engineering and planning that needs to take into account urban design principles. There is also a need to raise public awareness of the risks of speeding to enable acceptance of a lower speed limit, particularly around schools, shops and tourist areas where there are volumes of pedestrians.
Simon explained how narrower traffic lane widths, such as those put in place at temporary road layouts when road works and events are in operation are successful in reducing traffic speeds. He outlined the standard carriageway widths and corresponding speed limits for principal, collector, local and local cul-de-sac streets (the road hierarchy). These are guidance only and local conditions such as the neighbouring street network, adjacent land uses and the district plan should determine in practice what speeds vehicles should travel at.
Vertical design elements (creating 'side friction') such as narrowed kerbs with plantings, and directional changes are also being used in Timaru to lower speeds on roads - these encourage drivers to think for themselves rather than being told what to do. Cycle lanes on principal roads have also lowered traffic speeds.
Simon explained the importance of engineers meeting with colleagues in road safety (education) and the Police (enforcement) regularly to enable collaboration on issues. The key message the three ‘E's' (Engineering, Education, Enforcement), are working together to promote is that urban speed limits are not the urban speed target.
Speed environment, Timaru
Following Simon's thought-provoking presentation, there was a discussion about the following:
1. What feedback Squeaky Wheel should give to the recent involvement in submitting to the TDC's LTCCP review process. The general feeling was that the oral submission process is daunting for the average submitter, and there could be more effort made to put people at ease. Also that the format encouraged people to regurgitate parts of their written submission, when it would be more fruitful if it were a chance for the councillors to ask questions of the submitters to clarify their own understanding of the submission (which they have hopefully previously read!).
Decision: to complete the feedback form sent by the Council, and to add an extra written statement of our feelings. (Jon)
2. Critical Mass rides - discussion regarding their future. They are in abeyance for the Winter, and will be discussed again at the October meeting.
3. Bike Wise Month, Feb 2010. Initial discussion of a re-run of our bike-to-work breakfast extended into a wider consideration of the possibilities, encouraged by Liz. She thought through involvement in the organising meetings that Squeaky Wheel might be able to get involved in other ways e.g. instead of trying to mount our own event that we might be able to work co-operatively with other parties on a joint venture, such as a forum with District Councillors - one example that was put forward. This discussion to be continued at subsequent meetings.