New Zealand

New Zealand’s first weather-activated road signs with adjustable speed limits have become operational on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range.

Part of an innovative NZ Transport Agency trial, the 22 high-tech signs aim to minimise the crash rate on the steep road that connects the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Equipped with four web cameras, the speed signs are linked to a weather station at the summit of the Kaimai Range, allowing the Transport Agency to monitor the weather station and adjust the speeds between 30km/h and 100km/h depending on conditions.

"These signs will allow us to drop the speeds to 60km/h on the Waikato side and 80km/h on the Bay of Plenty in adverse weather."

According to transport agency chief safety adviser Colin Brodie, the two year trial is intended to encourage people to drive at safe speeds when rain, ice and fog hit the Kaimai Range.

Brodie said: "Our data shows that over 70% of the crashes on the Kaimai Range happen in wet weather, and that over 40% of these were caused by drivers travelling too fast for the conditions.

"These signs will allow us to drop the speeds to 60km/h on the Waikato side and 80km/h on the Bay of Plenty in adverse weather. They will also be used during roadworks or in the event of a crash when speeds may be reduced to as low as 30km/h."

Brodie also added that the agency is working closely with police and others to reduce deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand roads, as part of the government’s Safer Journeys strategy.

Image: NZ Transport Agency chief safety adviser Colin Brodie and Transport Minister Simon Bridges check out one of the new weather-activated speed signs on SH29. Photo: courtesy of NZ Transport Agency.