Media Release: 7 November 2013

Quick action needed on Auckland congestion

The latest congestion report for Australasia shows that Auckland has to find ways to get more out of its roading network, says the Automobile Association.

The latest TomTom Index measuring congestion in nine cities across the two nations shows Auckland is second only to Sydney in terms of overall congestion, and that Auckland’s congestion is on the rise.

Auckland has the worst peak-hour congestion and drivers suffer an average of 47 minutes delay per hour at peak time. The report shows that it is Auckland's local roads that are the main problem, with significantly worse congestion rates than on highways. Auckland has the most congested local roads in Australasia.

"Any major city is going to have some level of congestion, but Auckland can do much better,” says AA spokesperson Barney Irvine.

“The question we need to be asking is what we can do to get more out of our existing transport network right now. This is going to be the fastest and cheapest way to improve travel times."

Some areas where the AA sees significant potential for quick improvements to Auckland's congestion are:

· Can parking be removed from some major arterial routes to create more usable road space? Surveys of Auckland AA Members indicate support for this option.

· Auckland has a lower vehicle occupancy rate than other New Zealand cities. Is there scope to use high occupancy lanes or other methods to get more people to share rides?

· How much improvement can be made through the Joint Transport Operations Centre in Auckland having greater ability to manage flows on local roads and highways and respond to emergency incidents?

· How can safer and more convenient cycling routes be provided, to get more people cycling?

"Transport delays are Aucklanders' biggest frustration with their city. Improving public transport is an important piece of the puzzle, but it will take time to develop that area of the network. Right now the greatest congestion improvement will come from getting more out of Auckland’s existing roading network, and in particular making the arterial roads flow better,” says Mr Irvine.

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