Plan & develop roadside stopping places(RSP) throughout New Zealand

CURRENT POSITION

1 As one senior Transit NZ executive put it - "rest areas" have been regarded as "kid's potty stops" and "picnic areas".

2 Often selected solely out of convenience sake on the basis of available unused sites or scenic merit.

3 Plans to downsize the number of rest areas and very little funding allocated to expand, maintain and promote roadside stopping places..

FUTURE STRATEGIC DIRECTION

1 Create many RSP. Introduce different types of RSP for different purposes. (i) RSP for cars, cars towing caravans or trailers (ii) RSP for heavy vehicles (iii) RSP - Commercial Service Centre (eg; service stations) RSP - Commercial Service Centre (eg; restaurants, hotel chains) (iv) RSP - Highway Service Towns (star ratings)

2. Select RSP for the purposes of "drowsy driver " management

3 Locations of past drowsy driving crashes should be included in the site selection. (example; Centennial Highway and River Road in Wellington) Refer: AKILLA " In the blink of an eye" pg; #38 "What makes a successful RSP".

GENERAL COMMENTS

1 Drivers need to be encouraged to stop when they experience the warning signs of drowsy driving. Stopping to have a rest and/ or a power nap must be made easy.

2 Australia has many good examples of how RSP have been developed.

NRC MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY.

Transit New Zealand