New traffic system

Press, 25 October 1982, Page 4

New traffic system

PA Wellington A $46,500 motorway traffic light system described as a potential panel-beater’s dream has been given approval by the National Roads Board. A traffic light consisting only of red and green phase will be installed on a trial basis on the Takapuna onramp to Auckland’s northern motorway. A f second stage, an extra “priority” lane, not controlled by the light, is to be added in February, to allow

buses and vehicles with more than two persons aboard to by-pass the queue. Legislation will be required to enable the enforcement of the special lane, according to the Secretary for Transport, Mr A. J. Healy. Five lanes merge into three in the Takapuna situa-. tion, causing traffic to slow to a crawl and jamming the motorway during peak periods. The ramp control would work bv space on the motor-

way being picked by detector: which then works the green light.. The heavy vehicle representative on the board, Mr W. W. Knox, said it could prove to be a panel-beater’s dream, with cars on the priority lane having their place taken by people on the controlled lane. Mr Burt replied that it was hoped the priority lane would encourage people to use the buses. •