Safe School Speeds is a pilot programme that AT is trialling with a number of schools around Auckland. The programme sees temporary measures introduced around a school before any long-term solutions are implemented. The changes are designed to increase safety outside schools, reduce the speed of vehicles and encourage more students and their families to walk and cycle to and from school each day.

Auckland Transport is taking a Vision Zero approach to road safety. This means we are striving to have zero deaths or serious injuries on our transport system by 2050. To achieve this, we are working to create a more forgiving road network that recognises that we are human and make mistakes. But those mistakes should not mean someone dies or is seriously injured on our roads.

The proposed temporary changes are the outcome of the co-design process that took place between December 2020 and March 2021. The co-design team included representatives from the school, parents, residents, Summerland Kindergarten and Bear Park day care. The design includes a simplified road layout, kerb buildouts to slow traffic, and artwork to signal to all road users that this is a school area and slow speeds/extra care is needed.

The trial infrastructure:

The trial infrastructure was installed in time for term 3, 2021, including:

• School zone markings to act as a visual cue to drivers that they are entering a slow speed area as well as new speed bumps on Harvest Drive and Summerland Drive.
• Kiss and Drop and Pick-Up zones outside the school on Summerland Drive.
• Kerb buildouts to reduce lane width, and speed cushions at the crossing to slow down vehicle speeds on Summerland Drive and provide safer crossing points for students.
• Curb extensions at the corner of Brookwood Drive, to slow traffic and make crossing the road a shorter distance for children.
• An additional waiting area for children to gather near the flagpole, away from the curb.
• Cycle lanes painted with a unique theme specific to Summerland School which will help emphasise the presence of school children in the area
• Street art within kerb buildouts and on the footpath with a specific theme chosen by Summerland Primary. This complements the overall design scheme for the area by creating a clearly visible, vibrant and safe school zone.
  

Next Steps:

We made observations at the beginning of term 3 and small changes were made following feedback from the school and community.

Based on a review of this feedback and observations, we have decided to proceed towards a permanent solution. We have completed some speed counts in April 2022, to test whether the changes have been successful in slowing traffic through this area. A summary of speed results are available in the document section to download.

While AT work through the permanent design process, some or all of the temporary measures may remain in place to continue to provide a safer school zone. Public engagement will take place before any permanent changes are implemented.

It is important to note that an upgrade to the school crossing-, and an additional crossing across the end of Semillon Avenue have already been through public consultation, and these crossings are planned for construction.

This link has the plans for these crossing improvements.

Summerland Drive & Semillon Avenue, Henderson – Pedestrian Safety Improvements (at.govt.nz)

Please provide feedback on this project by emailing info@at.govt.nz