Steve Abley

This report documents the research undertaken to develop a standardised tool to help practitioners select the most appropriate pedestrian crossing facility for a particular site. The project identified a number of gaps in existing walkability and pedestrian level of service research which lacks suitable models for assessing the relative benefits of different types of facilities for midblock and intersection crossings. The analysis identified that the walkability of crossings could be evaluated… Show more

This report documents the research undertaken to develop a standardised tool to help practitioners select the most appropriate pedestrian crossing facility for a particular site. The project identified a number of gaps in existing walkability and pedestrian level of service research which lacks suitable models for assessing the relative benefits of different types of facilities for midblock and intersection crossings. The analysis identified that the walkability of crossings could be evaluated by isolating the individual elements of perceived delay, perceived safety and comfort. Show less

This research considers land use and transport accessibility drawing on international practice from the UK, Europe, USA and Australia. An objective of the research was to define accessibility and propose a methodology for how accessibility could be measured and quantified in New Zealand, both at a neighbourhood or a wider area such as a suburb, city or region.

The result of the research was an understanding of other countries’ experiences developing and setting accessibility policy and… Show more

This research considers land use and transport accessibility drawing on international practice from the UK, Europe, USA and Australia. An objective of the research was to define accessibility and propose a methodology for how accessibility could be measured and quantified in New Zealand, both at a neighbourhood or a wider area such as a suburb, city or region.

The result of the research was an understanding of other countries’ experiences developing and setting accessibility policy and the success of those approaches. This is important because if New Zealand chooses to set explicit accessibility policy, the research explains how that might be best achieved.

A second result of the research was the development of a new methodology for calculating accessibility that draws on overseas and improved practice. The new methodology quantitatively measures accessibility taking into consideration different modes of travel (walk, cycle, private motor vehicle etc), travel behaviour (ideally using logistic decay functions), destinations (origin or destination based), activities (consumed or supplied) and multiple opportunities (saturations). The calculation methodology was piloted on Christchurch (a city of some 350,000 people) and the accessibility of every household quantified to a variety of destinations including doctors, supermarkets and schools. Show less

Using data held within the New Zealand Household Travel Survey (NZHTS), this research examined changes in travel behaviour between 2003 and 2010 and sought to determine whether travel behaviours such as journey times, mode choice, trip complexity and trip generation rates differed by area type and region. A key aim of the research was to unlock further value from the data for the benefit of transport planners and engineers. The research explored the extent to which NZHTS data could be used in a… Show more

Using data held within the New Zealand Household Travel Survey (NZHTS), this research examined changes in travel behaviour between 2003 and 2010 and sought to determine whether travel behaviours such as journey times, mode choice, trip complexity and trip generation rates differed by area type and region. A key aim of the research was to unlock further value from the data for the benefit of transport planners and engineers. The research explored the extent to which NZHTS data could be used in a predictive context and examined a method to extract and arrange the NZHTS data into a form that would allow practitioners to quickly undertake a range of enquiries based on user-specified variables such as car ownership and household compositions to reveal area-specific travel behaviours. Show less

The objective of the research detailed in Transfund NZ research report 209 was to produce a comprehensive national database of information on trips and parking related to land use in New Zealand and to identify historic trends since the 1970s. This research has revised the original report, updating it to 2010 and comparing New Zealand results with those reported in the UK, USA and Australia. It also reviews trip generation surveys and databases from these four countries.

The research… Show more

The objective of the research detailed in Transfund NZ research report 209 was to produce a comprehensive national database of information on trips and parking related to land use in New Zealand and to identify historic trends since the 1970s. This research has revised the original report, updating it to 2010 and comparing New Zealand results with those reported in the UK, USA and Australia. It also reviews trip generation surveys and databases from these four countries.

The research indicated a general equivalence and consistency in the travel patterns seen in New Zealand to those reported in UK, USA and Australia.

Drawing on parallel research based on the MoT New Zealand Household Travel Survey, there is a chapter devoted to daily trips by all modes and purposes.

The research considered surveyed seasonal traffic and parking variations and identified the practical parking design demand for a whole year as the 85 percentile satisfaction which is also the 50th highest hour. This is the upper design limit suggested for the site being considered. At selected locations there may be a variety of specific reasons to reduce this design figure. The report also recommends undertaking further multi-modal trip generation and parking demand surveys for more land uses. Show less

This research provides a number of mathematical formulas for predicting the quality of the walking environment from the perspective of the user using operational and physical variables. The formulas were derived by combining the perception data gathered from participants in the community street reviews with measurements of the walking environment. The two main areas that were researched to enable the derivation of formulas were:
• when walking along the road (path length)
• when… Show more

This research provides a number of mathematical formulas for predicting the quality of the walking environment from the perspective of the user using operational and physical variables. The formulas were derived by combining the perception data gathered from participants in the community street reviews with measurements of the walking environment. The two main areas that were researched to enable the derivation of formulas were:
• when walking along the road (path length)
• when crossing the road (road crossing).

This research describes the process for obtaining the data and deriving the formulas, and recommends the formulas most suitable for practitioner use. This research and the background resource material can be referenced at www.levelofservice.com. Show less

This research provides a methodology for assessing the effects of a development proposal within the context of the New Zealand regulatory structure. The integrated transport assessment (ITA) guidelines are based on the varying scopes of assessment (simple, moderate, broad and extensive). The possible content for each ITA assessment type and the matters to be discussed are described, as is the process for how the ITA is to be undertaken. The practice notes were developed from 2008 to 2010, and… Show more

This research provides a methodology for assessing the effects of a development proposal within the context of the New Zealand regulatory structure. The integrated transport assessment (ITA) guidelines are based on the varying scopes of assessment (simple, moderate, broad and extensive). The possible content for each ITA assessment type and the matters to be discussed are described, as is the process for how the ITA is to be undertaken. The practice notes were developed from 2008 to 2010, and include information on how to undertake site trip generation surveys, how to estimate design trip generation rates for retail activities, some relevant case law and a discussion of the permitted baseline. Show less

The purpose of this guide is to provide an easy-to-read, step-by-step set of instructions on the procedure for undertaking a CSR. This guide also includes instructions that explain the results and outputs from a CSR. Further information on walkability can be found at www.levelofservice.com.

Trip generation, parking demand, modal split and travel activity related to different land uses are fundamental information for transportation planning and land use planning, now and in the future. While trip generation related to residential, business, tourism, recreation, industry and rural activities has been investigated, these areas have not always been surveyed or analysed consistently or reported in sufficient detail to provide transportation professionals with a robust assessment for… Show more

Trip generation, parking demand, modal split and travel activity related to different land uses are fundamental information for transportation planning and land use planning, now and in the future. While trip generation related to residential, business, tourism, recreation, industry and rural activities has been investigated, these areas have not always been surveyed or analysed consistently or reported in sufficient detail to provide transportation professionals with a robust assessment for planning and design purposes.

This investigation sought to establish whether trip making and parking demand were similar between similar land uses in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The conclusion is that travel patterns over a wide range of land uses, and especially those related to retail shopping centre activities, are similar in both countries. Show less

The purpose of the research is to link physical and operational variables in the walking environment to perception surveys undertaken using the CSR methodology. These tasks were undertaken as part of the Walkability Tools Research project. The Walkability Tools Research project involved defining appropriate physical and operational variables related to walkability and developing a methodology for the collection of these variables. The next stage involved collecting data, refining the… Show more

The purpose of the research is to link physical and operational variables in the walking environment to perception surveys undertaken using the CSR methodology. These tasks were undertaken as part of the Walkability Tools Research project. The Walkability Tools Research project involved defining appropriate physical and operational variables related to walkability and developing a methodology for the collection of these variables. The next stage involved collecting data, refining the methodology and ensuring it was entered and securely stored in an electronic database. Show less

Gaining a thorough understanding of daily travel for all trip purposes and by all modes of travel is essential to policy and planning. The Ministry of Transport’s New Zealand Home Travel Surveys (NZHTS) have, since 2003, been undertaken as continuous ongoing surveys. The dataset resulting from these years of survey include 13 000 people from 6000 households. This large database is a valuable resource covering accidents and safety issues as well as travel profiles. The national statistics are… Show more

Gaining a thorough understanding of daily travel for all trip purposes and by all modes of travel is essential to policy and planning. The Ministry of Transport’s New Zealand Home Travel Surveys (NZHTS) have, since 2003, been undertaken as continuous ongoing surveys. The dataset resulting from these years of survey include 13 000 people from 6000 households. This large database is a valuable resource covering accidents and safety issues as well as travel profiles. The national statistics are broken down into major and secondary urban areas, and also rural areas as the basis of reporting and presentation. This report makes this information more readily available to researchers and practitioners involved with transportation. The report provides a wide range of tables and graphs relating to modes, purposes and trip legs for weekdays and weekend travel. It concludes with recommendations that the research should continue to provide more detailed investigation of trips, travel trends and regional comparisons. It also recommends that the variables surveyed in the NZHTS be further assessed for use in the development of transportation models for future travel projection. Show less