LTSA response to Priority Lanes

[shaneh]

There was some recent discussion about bikes not being permitted to use the priority lanes on the new controlled on ramps.

Here is what appears to be a favourable response from the LTSA :

" Dear xx

Priority lanes
Thank you for your email of 5 December regarding the use of priority lanes by motorcycles. I am sorry about the delay in this reply to you.

Land Transport New Zealand has been actively engaged with Transit New Zealand as they develop the “priority lane” concept at a number of proposed ramp signalling sites on the Auckland Motorway. An aspect of many of the priority lanes is the link they have to similar lanes on the approaches to the ramp. Thus a ‘Transit Lane’ on the approach is likely to be given a priority bypass for the ramp signals. All vehicles entitled to be on any special approach lane leading directly to a priority lane will also be permitted to use the priority lane at the signals. Motorcycles are permitted to use Transit Lanes and where such a lane becomes a priority lane motorcycles will be able to continue using the lane.

However, one site is currently planned with a Truck Lane. In this case it is unlikely motorcycles would be permitted or motorcyclists would wish to use the truck lane. Truck lanes are often climbing lanes for heavy motor vehicles which will, in most cases, be travelling much slower than most motorcyclists would wish or be capable of. If motorcyclists were to use the lane it is likely they would pass and, to do so, would be required to enter the adjacent lane with likely impacts on the flow in that lane and with potential risk to themselves or others.

Motorcyclists are more vulnerable – whether stationery or moving – than most other motor vehicles. However, motorcyclists are less vulnerable if they operate in ways similar to other motor vehicles particularly in relation to positioning in vehicle lanes. The road rules support that view.


Yours sincerely



Wayne Donnelly
Chief Executive"

[Drum]

Holy shit, you got a reply from Wayne! He is the top man at LTNZ - he must be having a slow start to the year!

[TerminalAddict]

pays to be a councillor :dodge:

:niceone:

[Gremlin]

However, motorcyclists are less vulnerable if they operate in ways similar to other motor vehicles particularly in relation to positioning in vehicle lanes. The road rules support that view.
He ain't spoken to me then... I have had my health threatened by cars countless more times when I behave like a car down the motorway, than when splitting...

I do like that they are beginning to help us... we help congestion after all...

[bobsmith]

This is the first positive thing I've heard re: priority lanes so far. Hope it all gets sorted well since I'll be moving back to the shore later this year... Now LTSA just needs to get transit to see this view as well since it almost seems as though transit nz has a thing against motorcyclists.

[pzkpfw]

Motorcycles are permitted to use Transit Lanes and where such a lane becomes a priority lane motorcycles will be able to continue using the lane.

What is a "Transit Lane"?

Cheers,

[BAD DAD]

Good to see you got a reply, especially one that seems positive. I've still not heard back from rampsfeedback@transit.govt.nz yet. Looks like they got the message though.

[Lou Girardin]

Motorcycles are permitted to use Transit Lanes and where such a lane becomes a priority lane motorcycles will be able to continue using the lane.


Motorcyclists are more vulnerable – whether stationery or moving – than most other motor vehicles. However, motorcyclists are less vulnerable if they operate in ways similar to other motor vehicles particularly in relation to positioning in vehicle lanes. The road rules support that view.


Could someone define a transit lane?

His other statement is extremely debatable. We are less vulnerable when we are able to separate ourselves from other traffic; by using bus lanes, by filtering to the front of queues, by accelerating ahead of other traffic.

[Squeak the Rat]

His other statement is extremely debatable. We are less vulnerable when we are able to separate ourselves from other traffic; by using bus lanes, by filtering to the front of queues, by accelerating ahead of other traffic.

What he is saying is that by overtaking, lane splitting etc we bring the danger upon ourselves. It is much safer for us to follow the car in front like all other traffic.


This clown really needs to experience the motorway on the back of a motorcycle while riding "in ways similar to other motor vehicles particularly in relation to positioning in vehicle lanes".

[Nasty]

What is a "Transit Lane"?

Cheers,

Transit lanes in wellington are generally painted green and are bus lanes (which are not marked bus only) or in Mana for vehicles with more than one person in them and open at certain times of the day .... this is a laypersons interpretation though..

[MSTRS]

If I understand what I have seen previously, m/c's may use bus (transit) lanes EXCEPT for those on the motorway. At what point will a m/c be able to transition to an ordinary motorway lane without being pinged for using the wrong one?

[sAsLEX]

Could someone define a transit lane?


A lane for buses, and cars with more than so many people in them, and also motosicles.

Large signposts saying as such and on roads like Onewa road, and constellation drive.

[sAsLEX]

If I understand what I have seen previously, m/c's may use bus (transit) lanes EXCEPT for those on the motorway. At what point will a m/c be able to transition to an ordinary motorway lane without being pinged for using the wrong one?

A Bus and a Transit lane are different kettle of fish.

At present I think Transit lanes are still controlled by local authority, where as the new bus lane law set a nationwide standard.

[Squeak the Rat]

Transit lanes will be used to allow high occupancy vehicles and buses, trucks etc to by-pass queues for motorway on-ramps. Currently exist on some approach roads, but will also be used at on-rampts on the Auckland motorways as these will soon be controlled by traffic lights allowing two cars at a time to enter the motorway on-ramp.

Bus lanes will still exist on the motorway (though there are plans for some of these also), and we will still not be allowed to use these.

[Finn]

pays to be a councillor :dodge:

:niceone:

I heard it doesn't.

[Wolf]

A lane for buses, and cars with more than so many people in them, and also motosicles.

Large signposts saying as such and on roads like Onewa road, and constellation drive.
And heading through Plimmerton - they have the outer lane marked in bands of green and the signage says "buses, cars with more than one occupant and them thar motosicles" - single occupant cars and other through traffic have to use the inner lane.

Means if I'm visiting the whanau I can use the transit lane as I'd either be on the bike or in the car with wife and three kids...

[Fatjim]

motorcyclists are less vulnerable if they operate in ways similar to other motor vehicles particularly in relation to positioning in vehicle lanes. The road rules support that view.


Apart from the last bit (quoted) that makes sense.

[Fatjim]

And heading through Plimmerton - they have the outer lane marked in bands of green and the signage says "buses, cars with more than one occupant and them thar motosicles" - single occupant cars and other through traffic have to use the inner lane.

Means if I'm visiting the whanau I can use the transit lane as I'd either be on the bike or in the car with wife and three kids...

If your visiting the Whanau then you're waka is allowed anywhere. Didn't your study your traditional rights.

[Chill]

So motorcycles are allowed on the green bus lanes around Wellington?

[rwh]

So motorcycles are allowed on the green bus lanes around Wellington?

As I understand it - some of them.

If it says 'Bus Lane', you can. That's most of them. If it says 'Buses Only', you can't. As far as I've seen, the only one of those is the southbound one that starts on Lambton Quay by the ANZ, and finishes on Willis St just before the turn into Mercer St.

The other way of looking at it that seems to work is that if the bus lane is alongside a regular lane in the same direction, you can use it; if it's by itself you can't.

I assume we're not allowed to use the Hataitai bus tunnel, either - but I don't think I'd want to anyway.

Richard