Transit New Zealand Auckland Regional Office

6 July 2005

Papakura District Council joins the Traffic Management Unit

In a further step towards easing Auckland's congestion challenges, Papakura District Council has become the seventh local authority to join Transit New Zealand in the region's Traffic Management Unit (TMU) to provide an integrated approach to managing overall traffic issues.

The TMU's Joint Executive Group now comprises Transit, Auckland City, Waitakere City, Manukau City, North Shore City, Rodney District and Papakura District councils. The TMU's objectives are to develop more capacity on the region's roading network and assist in public transport initiatives to achieve better traffic flows and reduced congestion.

Papakura District Mayor, John Robertson says the district's two large quarries and extensive urban development programme creates the need to manage a growing traffic requirement, particularly as it has to balance the needs of local residents and large trucking companies.

"In joining the TMU we are making a commitment to tackle our own traffic challenges and improve traffic flow on the roading network as it impacts on the Auckland region as a whole."

The TMU integrates its services to monitor and manage both the motorway network and arterial roads across the Auckland region. The TMU runs the ATTOMS Traffic Management Centre in Northcote around the clock to provide facilities for operating all of Auckland's motorways, state highways and urban arterials, as well as council roads controlled by signalised intersections.

With the aid of more than 100 closed circuit TV cameras and 24 variable message signs (VMS), ATTOMS responds to incidents and changes in traffic flow by adjusting traffic signal phasing and providing up to the minute information to road users. One of the tools providing this information is the traffic website - www.trafficnz.info .

"The TMU manages a dynamic traffic network across the Auckland region by combining the technologies of all joint venture partners to provide integrated traffic management solutions," says TMU Joint Executive Group Chairman Joseph Flanagan. "We are delighted to now also have Papakura District Council alongside as we tackle the region's growing traffic issues."

ENDS

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