Whangaparāoa Rd lane fault sends cars into oncoming traffic: 'Someone's going to die here'

Thursday, 11 July 2019

During morning peak traffic, the LED lights switch, turning the centre median strip into an additional traffic lane for traffic heading towards Hibiscus Coast Hwy.

A dynamic lane fault on the only road connecting the Whangaparāoa Peninsula to the rest of Auckland has been sending cars into oncoming traffic at a busy intersection.

Residents of Stanmore Bay, north Auckland, found themselves nearing head on collisions on Whangaparāoa Rd as the road lights sent them into the path of traffic turning onto the road from Hibiscus Coast Highway in Silverdale on Wednesday and Thursday.

The fault sent traffic leaving Red Beach into oncoming traffic turning onto Whangaparāoa Rd from Hibiscus Coast Hwy.

Whangaparāoa Rd's 'dynamic lanes', which use LED road lights and electronic signs to change the middle lane's direction during peak travel times, are one of three in Auckland, with lanes also on the Harbour Bridge and Panmure Bridge.

The road is notorious for being clogged during the morning and evening rush, as it is the only road connecting the Peninsula to the rest of Auckland.

During afternoon peak traffic, the LED lights turn the centre median strip into an additional traffic lane for peak traffic heading onto the Whangaparāoa Peninsula.

* Whangaparāoa Rd dynamic lane trial labelled a success

* Dynamic lanes trial evening hours extended**

* Dynamic lane trial tweaks after residents voice concerns

The dynamic lanes will operate in off-peak mode - one lane each direction - until the issue is resolved.

* Auckland is Australasia's most congested city - more 'dynamic traffic lanes' planned to help

Kendall Attwood was 'absolutely convinced' it was his fault he ended up on the wrong side of the road, and put it down to a lack of concentration mixed with Wednesday's wet and foggy weather.

He realised he was about to drive beyond a traffic island, which would usually be on the right of the driver, before he swerved back into the left lane.

Attwood's wife, who was driving behind him also had to swerve. Neither could work out what had caused the blunder, until they saw other locals discussing it on the local community Facebook group.

'I could have driven head on into someone else [and] caused a serious accident.

'I thought 'Oh my gosh, someone's going to die here'.'

Igor Tomovski, who witnessed the fault as he travelled from Red Beach, thought it was likely a programming issue that led drivers onto the right hand lane.

'The yellow road lights literally guide you to the opposite lane towards oncoming traffic at that intersection.

He believed it had the potential to create 'very dangerous situations'.

'[It's a] recipe for disaster.'

Tomovski reported the fault to Auckland Transport, which 'promised urgent action' he said.

Auckland Transport spokesman John Nottage said it was aware of the issue and was investigating.

The dynamic lanes would operate as they usually would between peak traffic, which was one lane each way, until the fault was resolved.

He was not aware of any crashes, but would review further footage.

Auckland Transport labelled the lanes a success after their first day of operating in January 2018.

A Stuff reporter who commuted onto the Peninsula from the North Shore before and after the lanes were installed found the lanes decreased his travel time by two minutes and eight seconds.

Auckland Transport is currently considering dynamic lanes for Redoubt Rd in Manukau, south Auckland.