Prior to developing project options and concepts, initial Network Operating Plans (NOPs) are being developed to better enable the prioritisation of transport modes across Dunedin’s state highway and local road network. The process of developing the NOPs will include key stakeholders (DCC, NZTA, and ORC, followed by consultation with other key stakeholders and the community) discussing and agreeing the key network routes for each mode of transport. The development of the NOPs will enable an early assessment of potential conflicts where multiple demands exist on sections of the network with limited capacity.
The NOPs will be developed to reflect strategic priorities for Dunedin, including:
- Moving people and goods safely
- Moving people and connecting the population to centres including the city centre
- Ensuring all modes are adequately considered and provided for
- Moving freight to and from the port and airport, and through Dunedin, and supporting Dunedin’s role as a regional hub
- Providing accessibility to employment, businesses, education, healthcare and others key services
- Catering for visitor and recreational demands.
NOPs are being developed initially for the central city area and Mosgiel. These are two key parts of Dunedin’s network where there is greatest need for prioritisation in order to address the demands of multiple users within limited road space.
What does a Network Operating Plan mean in practice?
The identification of a priority route for a particular transport mode does not mean other modes will not be able to use that route. It does mean however that the priority mode will take precedence over other modes either on particular routes or at particular times of day, and the design and operation of those routes will reflect this. For example, where a route is identified as a priority public transport route, general traffic will usually still be able to use that route, but priority will be given to public transport, meaning the level of service for general traffic may be reduced (either at all times or at certain times of day when public transport needs a higher level of service). Conversely, public transport will also operate on routes that are not identified on the NOPs as priority public transport routes. Where this occurs on routes that have been identified as a priority for other modes the level of service for public transport may be lower.
Some routes are likely to be identified as priority routes for multiple modes. In some cases these routes may have insufficient road space to safely accommodate, and provide a high level of service for, all the priority modes. The NOPs will enable these conflicts to be identified and provides a basis for detailed analysis to take place (as well as discussions between the DCC, NZTA, ORC, stakeholders and the community) to establish the level of priority that should be allocated to each competing mode. Some secondary routes may also be identified where required, indicating where a route is of high importance for a mode but not necessarily a top priority.
Initial Draft NOPs have been used in the development of this Strategy to help evaluate various issues and options on the network, and to inform where certain interventions, and the type of interventions, are required. These Draft NOPs will be further refined and made available to the public for input and consultation.
Further work to agree and finalise the NOPs with stakeholders and the community is required before the plan is formally adopted. When finalised, the NOPs will be considered companion documents to the Integrated Transport Strategy to guide implementation. The NOPs will not be part of the Strategy in order that they can remain flexible and responsive as operational documents.