Bay of Plenty transport system manager Rob Campbell said on Tuesday the traffic lights on SH2 would be phased to ease queues for those travelling from Mount Maunganui.
"The lights will only operate when high traffic queues in the morning on the State Highway 2 southbound approach activate the metering.
"When this happens, the lights on the northbound approach will turn orange then red to stop the vehicles, allowing State Highway 2 southbound traffic to enter the roundabout."
He said give-way rules still apply when entering the roundabout.
"Most of the time the traffic lights won't be activated, except when high traffic queues on the southbound leg activate them, then the traffic lights will turn red to stop the vehicles, allowing traffic from the busiest road, in this case, Takitimu Drive traffic heading south, to enter the roundabout.
"The red phase is short and will turn off before a large queue is created.
"This is the same type of system that is operating at State Highway 29A Barkes Corner roundabout, and will be trialled for up to 18 months and may become permanent."
Roundabout metering was reintroduced at Barkes Corner in December 2018, which Campbell said has been operating well, with improved traffic flow and reduced travel times for most.
The roundabout metering projects are part of a wider programme being implemented across the region to improve safety and journey times.
