Inside the traffic control nerve centre
Watching the morning commute into Christchurch might not strike you as the most riveting way to kick-start your day, but on Friday I spent time at the Christchurch Transport Operations Centre (CTOC) doing exactly that.
It was a revelation – an incredibly instructive insight into the multitude of dynamics at play on our multi-modal streets, and the transformative power of major roading projects to circuit-break congestion.
CTOC is jointly operated by the city council, regional council and the New Zealand Transport Agency. CTOC’s manager, Ryan Cooney, expertly guided me through the operations and their ability to pull up live camera feeds from four hundred sites, to trouble-shoot issues as they pop up.
Even more impressive is the fact that every single traffic light in Christchurch can be changed or re-phased, at the press of a button, from the operations centre.
I couldn’t resist making suggestions on where I think some phasing defects warranted urgent attention.
With a sweeping wall of digital flat-screens to survey, I felt like a kid let loose inside mission control.
A volley of topical talking points were duly traversed and illustrated in real-time, from the unadulterated plague of piggish red-light runners, to the pros and cons of more right-turning green arrows and the uptake on the new cycleways.
What was strikingly conspicuous was the vast horde of commuters on bikes, embracing the Little River Link and UniCycle routes in particular.
In contrast, some other routes like the Papanui Parallel, look hopelessly desolate, white and elephantine.
On behalf of many a motorist, I piped up about that exasperating scenario whereby many trafficlight controlled intersections adjoining cycleways automatically start their phase with a red arrow preventing motorists from turning left to allow cyclists across the road – even when there are no cyclists.
CTOC assured me that they’re working on ways to properly sensor-detect the presence of a cyclist to trigger the jump start.
It was also heartening to see how thoughtful tweaks can make a world of difference.
A shining example is the sole red light that has recently been installed on Halswell Junction Rd for west-bound traffic on the approach to the Springs Rd roundabout.
It activates fleetingly, based on demand, to allow the everincreasing stream of Springs Rd commuters a fair shot at accessing the roundabout to join the Southern Motorway.
My primary motivation for traffic-spotting at central command was to get a feel for the impact the major roading projects are making to congestion.
I was bordering on joyous to see first-hand the new-found sense of liberation spectacularly unshackling Northern Motorway users, freely breezing by the Fanfare sculpture.
The suite of improvements to Christchurch’s Northern and Western Corridors are far from finished, but last month’s opening of the Western Belfast Bypass and the Gateway Arches overpass has made a monumental improvement to travel times.
CTOC gave me the preliminary data, based on peak travel times between November 20 and 24.
The morning peak commute from Lineside Rd to Yaldhurst Rd averaged 19 minutes, 32 per cent quicker than prior to the bypass opening. Lineside Rd to QEII Drive averaged just 12 minutes, a 43 per cent improvement on the previous peak average of 21 minutes.
Despite some minor delays at the Sawyers Rd roundabout and the Yaldhurst Rd intersection, overall it’s proving a runaway success for commuters. More robust data will be generated in February.
Meanwhile, the Christchurch Northern Corridor’s ongoing projects are on schedule to be completed in mid-2020, and projected to take about 50 per cent of the cars off the Main North Rd.
Similarly, Stage Two of the Southern Motorway will significantly enhance the network upon completion in early 2020.
It raises serious questions about the new government’s determination to launch commuter rail services from Rolleston to Christchurch, given Environment Canterbury had determined it was unviable without massive population increases.
You may recall that National campaigned to four-lane State Highway 1 all the way to Ashburton. Is Labour a starter?
I approached Transport Minister Phil Twyford for comment on that, and also commuter rail.
Despite assurances from his office, the Minister failed to issue a response by deadline.
However, Twyford told Parliament last week that fourlaning the highway to Ashburton was still ‘‘under consideration.’’