Wire (cheese cutter) barriers

[discotex]

Developments. Just had a call from Radio Live (? I think ? Some radio show) , fronted by Bill Ralston, wanting a phone interview at 4pm today.

Great stuff Ixion. Seems some momentum is building!

I think we need to make it clear we're not asking for the removal of barriers as this seems to be the message some car drivers are hearing.

We're asking for retrofitting or replacement to make them safe for everyone.

I also think it's critical to defuse the speed issue. If you can make it clear a puncture or other mechanical failure at completely legal speed would cause the same result (as shown overseas).

If you have time prepare some concise sound bites that punch the message home as they may repeat them in the hourly news stories.

[JKWNZ]

Its easy to forget Transit have used cheese cutters in areas there is no risk of head on i.e. on the outside of corners, SH1 north of Rangiriri. And before I get the "there is a reason" response, theres nothing much but grass on the other side...

[Dodger]

OK,

I just had a chat with a few guys in our roading team here at work. (I work in IT for a Civil and Electrical consultancy company)

- Maintenance costs for the Wire barriers are much lower than that of the metal W barriers as it only takes a few guys to go out and replace parts after an impact. Unlike the W barriers that need large parts replaced after a collision (if they even have the parts in stock)

- They will stop vehicles in size up to "American pick-up" size.

Does anyone have a link with info on the "motoguard" pipe thingi as the person I spoke to wasn't aware of it and would like to investigate.

[Sanx]

OK,

I just had a chat with a few guys in our roading team here at work. (I work in IT for a Civil and Electrical consultancy company)

- Maintenance costs for the Wire barriers are much lower than that of the metal W barriers as it only takes a few guys to go out and replace parts after an impact. Unlike the W barriers that need large parts replaced after a collision (if they even have the parts in stock)

- They will stop vehicles in size up to "American pick-up" size.

Does anyone have a link with info on the "motoguard" pipe thingi as the person I spoke to wasn't aware of it and would like to investigate.

Any chance you could ask them what the differences in maintenance costs are with solid concrete barriers?

[Dodger]

Any chance you could ask them what the differences in maintenance costs are with solid concrete barriers?

I did talk about this, and got the impression that concrete had much lower maintenance costs, but want as practical.
Needs more room, costs more to install, cant be lowered to allow traffic to drive over etc.

[Indiana_Jones]

what about the costs of covering up the cheese cutters with some sort of sheef?

-Indy

[Pixie]

The ones they added just North of Meremere turned the road into a killing zone with narrow lanes and no escape routes, was fantastic when tractors use the road which they used to avoid as they would be driving along the verge, now they are in the centre and cause havoc!


And why do we need barriers on the left hand edge of the road and relatively

The barriers to the left of the lane are there because it was feared that considerate slow drivers would drive on the shoulder,allowing other traffic to pass.
This does happen, as can be seen where passing lanes on high way 2 maramarua have been painted over,slow drivers drive on the painted shoulder formerly the left lane.

[Krayy]

what about the costs of covering up the cheese cutters with some sort of sheef?

-Indy

Doesn't matter as there is no cash left after building the Motorway Bus Lanes for PRIVATE bus companies to drive on

[MSTRS:Me]

You are surely kidding Pixie? So the 'orderly flow of traffic' is now officially dictated by the slowest vehicle on the road?

[vifferman]

Doesn't matter as there is no cash left after building the Motorway Bus Lanes for PRIVATE bus companies to drive on

...and profit from, at the taxpayers' expense.

[Pixie]

So if there is supposed ta be 3m space between the lane and the "Biker Cutters", why is there so many of these dam things right next to the lane (Puhoi-Waiwera and the NEW Hamilton-Auckland Expressway)? I know the Puhoi-Waiwera ones are temporary, but it is a single lane carriageway which often puts me in a position as a biker where I am with in arm reach of these deadly barriers.

The three metre space is obviously to allow for the fact that a car or truck will intrude up to three metres into the oncoming lane if it collides with the barrier.
If Transit are installing these barriers as single runs between opposing lanes ,then they will not prevent head on collisions

[Unit:Me]

I think a well organised protest ride is a great idea and I would make every effort to attend and support the cause.
I would like to think that everyone who attends are people that should be there, and are genuine motorcyclists who constantly promote safe riding and care about their fellow bikers.
As tax payers, we pay a much higher premium in our rego's for RUC and ACC. That being the case, we have a right to protest against such a lethal piece of equipment being used.
I travel from Tauranga to Whangarei about every three weeks. There is a strip of these 'cheese-cutter' barriers on the way (Im sure those that do the coro loop know which one Im talking about). Every time I travel through there (often at night), it sincerely gives me the shudders. Yes its a straight bit of road, yes there are double lanes either side, but what I often notice is this gives cause for most motorist to speed up, not slow down, and that concerns me. There cars may nicely bounce off them, but if I get caught up in the moment of testosterone, I know I will be the one that comes off worst as an innocent motorist yet I might get the blame being the motorcyclist?
Dont know and only an opinion. As I do over some 20,000kms each year, I feel I am entitled to a voice, or show up as part of a contingent of riders who what to be heard.
This is a most serious matter, and not to loose sight of the most unfortunate event that brought these threads on.
Thank you to all those people working so hard to have our voice heard in the correct way it should be.

[Grinner]

IMO lane seperation is a good thing. How you achieve it is the question ?
A nice wide grass verge would be the prefered choice then concrete barriers ( easiest to slide along ) and armco ( you still hit the support posts ) last.
Wire rope should be an obvious no no except under the utmost space constaints ie just north of Wellington.

[limbimtimwim]

Wire rope should be an obvious no no except under the utmost space constaints ie just north of Wellington.

No, not there! Those should be concrete barriers.

[Unit:Me]

Sorry folks just a random thought.
Look at the massive support the Westpac helicopter attracts from motorcyclists and the media coverage that got? Is there any way the two could be linked? Im sure the Ambulance staff have something to say about this topic. And perhaps we could also look at the value of the whole road bike industry, the type of people that ride (Im always talking to hard working, good folks out on rides). We spend a great deal of money each year on bike equipment. There was a recent thread about how much KBers spent I think it was for September? Perhaps some information could be gleaned off that thread also.
If there is any research that needs to be done Im sure there are many of us who will stick there hand up to help, me for one.