Weather-activated road signs on SH29 win award

Weather-activated road signs on SH29. Photo/supplied

The weather-activated road signs on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range have received a road safety award.

The New Zealand Transport Agency project, aimed at reducing the number and the severity of crashes on SH29, received the country's premier road safety award for exemplary innovation and effectiveness to save lives and injuries on roads.

Project manager and Tauranga resident Angela Crean accepted the 3M Traffic Safety Innovation Award for 2016 last night as part of the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ) Transportation Group's annual conference at the Maritime Museum in Auckland.

The weather-activated road signs with adjustable speed limits went live in November last year and are the first in New Zealand.

Associate Minister of Transport Hon Craig Foss, NZTA project manager Angela Crean and 3M NZ Ltd Michael Holderness. Photo/supplied

The 22 high-tech signs are linked to a weather station at the summit of the Kaimai Range and NZTA monitors the station and adjusts the speeds between 30km/h to 100km/h depending on conditions.

IPENZ Transportation Group National Chairman, Mr Pravin Dayaram, said "Our 2016 winner demonstrates an effective and innovative approach to reducing road trauma on a state highway known for its unpredictable weather conditions

"The project, part of the Government's Safer Journeys road safety strategy, is an excellent initiative which reminds drivers to slow down during inclement weather and has the potential to significantly reduce crashes on both sides of the Kaimai Range."