ViaStrada March 2010 Newsletter

Contents

• CCC Streamline Resource Consent Programme
• Living 3 & 4 Zones - Plan Change 53 by Christchurch Ciy Council
• Auckland and Dunedin Offices Close
• Dr Glen Koorey joins ViaStrada
• Megan Fowler off to France
• Field Trip Coffee and CPD
• Bike Wise Challenge
• Pre-school Noise
• Helicopter Noise
• Christchurch Automatic Cycle Counting Programme
• Heathcote Valley Pre-school
• Banks Peninsula Data Collection
• Advanced Planning and Design for Cycling
• CAN Cycle Friendly Awards
• Broken Yellow Lines in Kerbside Cycle Lanes
• Lake Road Cycle Lane Options
• Estimating Demand for Selwyn's Cycleways
• 2010 Transportation Conference

If you prefer, you can read this newsletter online:

http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1427

News Item

CCC Streamline Resource Consent Programme

The Christchurch City Council has been exploring ways of improving their processes for dealing with resource consent applications.  As a result, the Council trialled a 'Streamline Resource Consent Application Programme' through 2009, with the aim of providing applicants a better and faster service. ViaStrada was one of the few consultancies involved in this trial and a number of our clients enjoyed the benefits of this programme

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1411

Living 3 & 4 Zones - Plan Change 53 by Christchurch City Council

ViaStrada's planners are currently reviewing the Council-initiated Plan Change 53, which aims to facilitate higher standards of urban design, appearance and residential amenity in the Living 3 and Living 4 Zones in Christchurch.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1428

Auckland and Dunedin Offices close

For a number of reasons ViaStrada has closed its offices in Auckland and Dunedin. However ViaStrada will continue to serve clients across New Zealand from its Christchurch and Nelson offices, which are unaffected by the closure of those two offices. 

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1363

Staff

Dr Glen Koorey joins ViaStrada

We are pleased to announce that Dr Glen Koorey has joined ViaStrada temporarily.  Glen is widely known as a transport lecturer at the University of Canterbury, where he teaches courses on Transportation and Traffic Planning, Traffic Engineering and Management, Highway Geometric Design, Road Safety, and Engineering Design.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1416

Megan Fowler off to France

Megan Fowler left ViaStrada in early March 2010 to explore new opportunities in France. We have so much enjoyed having Megan "along for the ride".

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1434

Field Trip Coffee and CPD

The ViaStrada transport team met for an early breakfast in Redwood and then cycled into work along a recently completed bus priority corridor.  This initiative was part of the team’s continuing professional development (CPD) and of course a good opportunity to socialise.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1422

Bike Wise Challenge

ViaStrada is once again encouraging staff to hop on their bikes for the annual Bike Wise Challenge. To date, a good proportion of staff have taken up the challenge, whether it be with a short bike ride to work, or a ride on the Port Hills training for Le Race. Staff and families are finishing off the challenge month with a fun, social ride around Bottle Lake Forest followed by a barbeque and well earned rest.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1430

Projects

Pre-school Noise

ViaStrada undertook monitoring of noise from a Nelson pre-school to determine compliance with the district plan noise standards. Monitoring was undertaken through our Nelson office with our Christchurch noise expert (Russell Malthus) providing expert assessment and preparing the report.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1424

Helicopter Noise

ViaStrada undertook environmental noise monitoring for a proposed helicopter operation in Golden Bay, Nelson. The proposal involved transfer flights to and from the Naked Possum for users of the popular Kaituna Track. Monitoring was undertaken through our Nelson office, with our Christchurch noise expert producing the assessment and report.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1423

Christchurch Automatic Cycle Counting Programme

Andrew, Jeanette and Megan have developed an automatic cycle counting programme for Christchurch City Council (CCC). The project identifies approximate site locations, counter types, time frames and indicative costs.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1399

Heathcote Valley Pre-school

ViaStrada staff successfully obtained resource consent for Heathcote Valley Pre-school Ltd for a new purpose-built pre-school on Port Hills Road, Christchurch. Full details of the Heathcote Valley Pre-school can be found at their website http://heathcotevalleypreschool.co.nz/

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1375

Banks Peninsula Data Collection

The Christchurch City Council now has a record of all the markings and signs on the Peninsula. All traffic control devices requiring a Council resolution have now gone through the correct legislative process. The signs and markings are scheduled in the RAMM database with the respective resolution. The signs were photographed and the condition noted for the maintenance team.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1358

Training Courses

Advanced Planning and Design for Cycling Courses

On behalf of NZTA, ViaStrada has been developing an Advanced Cycling Planning and Design Course to expand on the Fundamentals of Planning and Design for Cycling course. Courses are planned for Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.

The next course is planned for Christchurch on 29 and 30 April 2010. For a registration form and further information, visit our Advanced Training page.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1228

Publications

CAN Cycle Friendly Awards

The Cycling Advocates' Network (CAN) has presented the 7^th annual Cycle-Friendly Awards, celebrating initiatives to promote cycling and create a cycle-friendly environment at both a national and local level in New Zealand. The ceremony was held at the NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth on 12 November 2009.

One of the award categories, the Cycle-Friendly Commitment by a Public Organisation, was sponsored by ViaStrada. This category was won by the Nelson Police & Nelson City Council for their Bobbies on Bikes initiative.

Road more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1379

Broken Yellow Lines in Kerbside Cycle Lanes

Should broken yellow lines be marked in kerbside cycle lanes?

Axel Wilke (ViaStrada) and Michael Ferigo (Christchurch City Council) have written a conference paper about this project. The presentation was on Friday, 13 November 2009 at the 7^th NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1343

Lake Road Cycle Lane Options

Cycle lanes were approved by North Shore City Council for installation on Lake Road between Esmonde Road and Hauraki Road. The project has been in the media on numerous occasions.

Andrew Macbeth (ViaStrada) and Chris Jones (North Shore City Council) wrote a conference paper about this project. The presentation was on Friday, 13 November 2009 at the 7^th NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1342

Estimating Demand for Selwyn's Cycleways

Estimating the demand for new facilities is an important part of the economic justification for walking and cycling projects. Andrew Macbeth and Megan Fowler (both ViaStrada) and Lee Wright (Selwyn District Council) wrote a conference paper about this project. This presentation was on Friday 13 November 2009 at the 7^th NZ Cycling Conference in New Plymouth.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1341

Conferences

2010 Transportation Conference

The 2010 Transportation Conference will be held at the Christchurch Town Hall from Sunday 14 to Wednesday 17 March.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/node/1066

Conference Calendar

As a service to the profession, ViaStrada keeps track of conferences that are relevant to the planning and transportation industry. Please find those events in our website calendar.

Read more: http://viastrada.co.nz/event