ITS New Zealand Summit 2012 Auckland Harbour Bridge Martin Leak Managing Director, Resolve Group Ltd Auckland, N.Z. Auckland Harbour Bridge - demand for service: Opened in May 1959 with 4 lanes and an annual traffic flow at the end of 1960 of 4.9 million vehicles per year. Ten years after the opening in 1969, the annual flow was 13.8 million vehicles Demand for greater capacity: In 1969 4 additional lanes were added, giving the AHB added capacity for the then foreseeable future By the late 80 s demand was again challenging capacity Consequences of greater demand: Over a number of years, head-on crashes became increasingly frequent to the point where in the late 1980 s, action to address the situation became urgent In 1990: Foremost for reasons of safety a 610 mm wide concrete movable lane barrier (MLB) was installed This was a first in the world for traffic management of contra flow lanes with the MLB as a permanent installation The result: The result: Positive separation of the two fast moving opposing traffic flows, equating to a dramatic decrease in head-on crashes. 1
Original 4 lane structure opened for traffic in 1958. Extended to 8 lanes and in operation 1968 Equipped as a divided contra flow operation from 1990 Today The AHB now carries in excess of 57 million vehicle a year where weekday AM and PM peak contra flow lane configuration, supported by lane control and variable message signs are a vital necessity. In 2009: Original transfer machines and MLB replaced with narrower 457 mm barrier and lower impact deflection Looking to the future the new machine provided variable transfer width capacity from 2.6 metres to 4.3 metres New BTM More powerful and faster, with AHB barrier transferred in half the time allowing for a new extension through St Mary s Bay to the Victoria Park Tunnel Onboard GPS links the BTM to changing of the LCS ITS Support Variable lane control signs are a necessary requirement for safe and efficient operation even with a barrier divided contra flow operation 2
ITS Support Variable message signs ensure near real-time information is passed to drivers so that they are able to respond in a timely and safe manner Victoria Park Tunnel In conjunction with the commissioning of the tunnel, an extension of the MLB across the harbour bridge was put into operation through St Mary s Bay northbound Coordinated Operation SwiftGate opening to provide auxiliary PM peak access to Lane 5 on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the right of the Victoria Park Tunnel exit portal Efficient Operation Auxiliary on ramp connecting to Lane 5 on Auckland Harbour Bridge open and available to PM peak traffic out of the city 3
BTM transfer through St Mary s Bay after PM peak Coordination between ITS and BTM Garaging under the Victoria Park Viaduct at the south end of the St Mary s Bay barrier string allow the BTM to display their artistic character Auckland Harbour Bridge In Conclusion Coordination of ITS Components BTM returning north completing the daily routine with the transfer of the St Mary s Bay and Auckland Harbour Bridge barrier strings back to their nominal positions For the safe and efficient operation of an urban highway network, such as is here in Auckland, ITS technologies needs to be coordinated seamlessly and at the very highest level of reliability 4
9 Marmion Street, Auckland Phone 64 (9) 303 3461 martin.leak@resolvegroup.co.nz 5