Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 27 March 2020

Subject: Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 Review

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the background information to inform the direction of the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 (RLTP) and seeks the Committee’s confirmation the programme and structure for the review.

Officers’ Recommendation(s)

2. Council officers recommend that the Committee approves the summary work programme for development of the 2020 programme and the “setting the scene” document.

Background

3. The RLTP is a statutory document that must be prepared every six years, as required by the Land Transport Management Act 2003 (LTMA).

4. The RLTP comprises two key parts:

4.1. The strategic policy section has a minimum ten-year outlook and includes land transport objectives, policies and measures required by the LTMA.

4.2. The regional transport programme, which sets out a programme of proposed land transport activities over a six-year period, and a ten-year financial forecast.

5. The next RLTP must be prepared by the RTC and adopted by the Regional Council by April 2021. This timeline enables the NZ Transport Agency to then release the National Land Transport Programme by end June 2021, setting out the funded transport activities for the next three years.

RLTP Structure

6. For the 2021 RLTP, an agreed template (Attachment 1) has been prepared by the Transport Sector Interest Group, made up of representatives from all regional councils.

7. To date, RLTP structure and interpretation of the various requirements has varied considerably between regions. The purpose of the template is to bring about greater consistency of RLTPs across all regions and ensure that all legislative requirements are met. We intend to use the template, as do most other councils.

RLTP Review Programme

8. The suggested programme of work for the review of the RLTP is Attachment 2

9. It is intended to have the strategic sections of the RLTP fully drafted for discussion and approval over the next three months. There will be a number of workshops through the transport study process to define issues and opportunities and set the strategic direction of the next RLTP.

Setting the Scene for the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021

10. Although the finer details of the strategic direction will be determined through the study, there are some trends apparent in the Hawke’s Bay region which may have a major influence on the direction of the 2021 RLTP.

11. These are described in Attachment 3. It is intended that this paper will form the basis for the introductory part of the strategic front end of the RLTP, with any necessary modifications as the study develops and issues and opportunities for the Hawke’s Bay’s transport system are refined.

Hawke’s Bay Transport Study

12. The three phases of the HB Transport Study are all progressing.

13. Data collection (through Google) on travel times and average speeds across key routes on the Heretaunga Plains has been completed. The Heretaunga Plains Transport Model has now largely been updated, but final completion has been delayed by the late release of some Census 2018 data. This is expected by May 2020. The model will be used for the testing of scenarios for the Programme Business Case.

14. The second stage of the study is to prepare a network operating framework (NOF). Consultants have been contracted to undertake this work and the first technical workshops are underway. The NOF will examine region’s network as a whole across all modes and help to link identified strategic objectives with how the network is managed and improved in the future. The framework will set out the agreed function of key routes e.g. freight, commuter, cycling, pedestrian, public transport. In some cases, this function might differ by time of day; management techniques would be put in place to allow this.

15. The third stage of the study is to develop a programme business case for future improvements and management techniques for the transport network and services. A procurement process is underway at present for the preparation of this business case, which will be completed by the end of August.

Options Assessment

16. As it is a statutory requirement to complete the Regional Land Transport Plan by 30 April 2021, there are no other options for timing and programming of the necessary work.

17. Other options for ‘Setting the Scene for the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021’ include the consideration of any other relevant issues.

Strategic Fit

18. The Regional Land Transport Plan contributes to the HBRC’s Strategic Plan 2017-21 priority area of Sustainable Services and Infrastructure.

Significance and Engagement Policy Assessment

19. This decision is not significant in terms of Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy

Climate Change Considerations

20. The transport system’s contribution to climate change and mitigation of the effect on transport networks will be a major consideration in the development of the Regional Land Transport Plan.

Financial and Resource Implications

21. The cost of the Hawke’s Bay Transport Study and Regional Land Transport Plan has been included in long term and annual plan budgets.

Consultation

22. Consultation with key stakeholders will take place through the HB Transport Study processes. A public consultation process on the draft Regional Land Transport Plan will be undertaken from December 2020.

Decision Making Process

23. Council and its committees are required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

23.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

23.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.

23.3. The decision is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy.

23.4. The persons affected by this decision are all persons interested in the management and development of transport systems in Hawke’s Bay.

23.5. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

23.6. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1. Receives and notes the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 Review staff report.

2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, and that the Committee can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring directly with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

3. Approves the summary work programme for the development of the Regional Land Transport Programme 2021 as proposed.

4. Approves the ‘Setting the Scene for RLTP 2021’ document, including agreed amendments.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

⇩1	Template for 2021 RLTP
⇩2	RLTP Development Timeline
⇩3	Setting the Scene for RLTP 2021

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 27 March 2020

Subject: Transport Manager's Report

Reason for Report

1. This regular report provides the Committee with a snapshot of relevant transport matters, provides updates from the Transport Advisory Group (TAG) on issues raised at their regular meetings and outlines what is coming up within the Transport sector.

2. The item also seeks the Committee’s agreement to the continued structure for oversight of driver licensing funding.

Transport Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meetings

3. The TAG group met recently to:

3.1. Hear an update from NZTA on the development of Arataki, NZTA’s ten year plan

3.2. Discuss progress with the three stages of the HB Transport Study

3.3. Review the tender documents for the programme business case of the above

3.4. Review the Transport Sector Interest Group’s guidance and templates for the Regional Land Transport Plan.

Draft New Zealand Rail Plan

4. The draft New Zealand Rail Plan was released in December 2019. It has two sections of strategic priorities.

5. Establishing a new planning and funding framework for rail, ensuring long-term and integrated planning.

5.1. This will involve improving the transparency of Government investment decisions and ensuring that these are made on a mode-neutral basis (for example, that road and rail projects are assessed in the same way) and that a medium to long-term approach is taken, in recognition of the enduring benefits of an efficient rail system.

5.2. The new funding framework for rail will see funding from the National Land Transport Fund, made up of NLTF funding, track user charges and Crown funding.

6. Investment priorities for a reliable and resilient rail network.

6.1. This will involve investing in the rail network to maintain freight rail and provide a platform for future investment for growth, as well as investing in metropolitan rail to support growth in our largest cities.

6.2. The draft plan sets out a number of services and lines for future investment, including investing in the Capital Connection rail service between Palmerston North and Wellington, which until recently was one of the only unsubsidized commuter rail services in the world.

6.3. Consultation on the draft plan will take place in conjunction with the consultation period for the draft Government Policy Statement.

7. In order to bring about the proposed changes to the planning and funding of rail services and infrastructure, changes to legislation are required. The Land Transport (Rail) Legislation Bill will bring this under the regime set by the Land Transport Management Act.

8. The draft NZ Rail Plan is found at https://transport.cwp.govt.nz/assets/Import/Uploads/Rail/The-Draft-NZ-Rail-Plan-December-19.pdf

Road to Zero road safety strategy

9. Road to Zero, the road safety strategy for 2020-2030 was released in December 2020, after an consultation period during which over 1300 submissions were received.

10. The first action/implementation plan for 2020 to 2022 was also released at the same time.

11. Road to Zero has five focus areas, being:

11.1. Infrastructure improvements and speed management

11.2. Vehicle safety

11.3. Work-related road safety

11.4. Road user choices

11.5. System Management

12. The Action Plan sets out 15 immediate actions for the 2020-22 period; being:

12.1. Invest in safety treatments and infrastructure improvements – increasing investment by 20% over the next ten years.

12.2. Introduce a new approach to tackling unsafe speeds – improve the way road controlling authorities plan and implement speed management changes, safer speed limits around schools, “highly visible, no surprises” approach to speed cameras.

12.3. Review infrastructure standards and guidelines – update current guidelines to reflect best practice

12.4. Enhance safety and accessibility of footpaths, bike lanes and cycleways - land transport rule changes to simplify and clarify use of infrastructure for active transport modes

12.5. Raise safety standards for vehicles entering the fleet - identify the newest safety technology with the greatest benefit and examine options to increase uptake, review warrant and certificate of fitness systems

12.6. Increase understanding of vehicle safety – raise awareness of the importance of safe vehicles in crashes, encourage consumers to give high priority to safety rating, work with vehicles sector to provide better, more consistent information on safety performance of vehicles

12.7. Implement mandatory ABS braking systems for motorbikes

12.8. Support best practice for work-related travel- improve data around work-related driving , support private sector to establish best practice road safety standards

12.9. Strengthen the regulation of commercial transport services- review logbook and worktime requirements, review roles and powers of regulators, focus on driving for work as a common critical risk for government agencies

12.10. Prioritise road policing – strategic alignment , operational activity, clear mandate

12.11. Enhance drug driver testing

12.12. Increase access to driver licensing and training - expand access to curriculum resources and learner licensing support in schools, explore ways to increase access, ensure licensing system is geared towards progression, review licensing system

12.13. Support motorcycle safety – review licensing pathway, invest in safety treatments on high risk routes, incentivise motorcycle skills training and target hard-to-reach drivers

12.14. Review road safety penalties – revise fees and fines ( including for other action plan initiatives), prioritise a review of fines for distracted driving

12.15. Strengthen system leadership, support and coordination - strengthen governance arrangements, support greater investment in road safety, support effective regional responses, better monitoring and evaluation, better evidence sharing, improving post-crash responses.

Driver Licensing Funding

13. HBRC has now had a further portion of NZTA funding approved to contribute towards reducing the number of unlicensed drivers on Hawke’s Bay roads.

14. The funding is for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years, although approval for the current year was only received in December. It is likely that some of this year’s allocation will need to be carried forward.

15. In previous Council terms, the RTC has delegated oversight of the allocation of this funding to a governance group comprised of:

15.1. Chair of RTC

15.2. One other RTC territorial authority member

15.3. NZ Police representative

15.4. Ministry of Social Development representative.

16. This has worked well and it is suggested that the Committee should agree this structure continuing.

Other Significant Issues or Works

NZTA Highway Network and Operations

17. An update on work by NZTA Highway Network and Operations Group forms part of the Regional Director’s report.

Hastings District Council

18. Hastings District Council has completed a strategic case for network improvement that will shape the council’s programme of work and feed into the HB Transport Study outcomes.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

19. The number of trips taken on Hawke’s Bay bus services has continued to decline in the 2019-20 year, although January and February statistics are encouraging, with a small increase shown over these two months.

20. Costs have increased substantially in 2019-20, due to the increase in bus contract indexation, extra costs incurred to cover driver paid breaks required by the Employment Relations Amendment Act and lower revenues due to lower patronage.

Passenger Trips on the goBay bus service July to February by year

Year	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	TOTAL
2012-13	59,275	74,493	61,847	60,530	64,913	46,029	47,577	67,463	482,127
2013-14	64,869	78,729	69,564	63,807	67,784	50,219	48,391	70,647	514,010
2014-15	64,349	73,204	68,927	62,049	64,088	48,558	43,049	63,065	487,289
2015-16	59,690	67,216	62,415	56,656	58,647	44,452	35,487	62,448	447,011
2016-17	52,226	68,062	58,821	53,911	60,933	43,168	38,223	60,423	435,767
2017-18	47,342	68,868	62,617	49,945	61,351	39,666	37,329	58,744	425,862
2018-19	52,904	66,538	55,612	52,414	58,499	37,307	36,076	54,949	414,299
2019-20	51,529	61,549	55,641	47,675	54,100	36,402	37,140	57,537	401,573

Net Expenditure on the goBay Bus Service July to February by year (ex GST)

Year	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	TOTAL
2012-13	$ 224,406	$ 224,406	$ 224,406	$ 224,406	$ 224,406	$ 224,406	$ 1,346,436
2013-14	$ 186,170	$ 278,969	$ 182,220	$ 187,613	$ 302,615	$ 207,605	$ 1,345,192
2014-15	$ 168,720	$ 157,262	$ 264,227	$ 174,153	$ 141,819	$ 255,647	$ 1,161,828
2015-16	$ 142,779	$ 189,698	$ 213,309	$ 157,298	$ 158,061	$ 249,914	$ 1,111,059
2016-17	$ 154,602	$ 138,772	$ 157,040	$ 176,475	$ 163,647	$ 197,234	$ 987,771
2017-18	$ 184,246	$ 175,294	$ 166,673	$ 182,945	$ 183,161	$ 200,188	$ 1,092,508
2018-19	$ 176,123	$ 210,652	$ 180,434	$ 180,547	$ 173,080	$ 200,526	$ 1,121,362
2019-20	$ 210,999	$ 186,976	$ 194,923	$ 283,810	$ 194,502	$ 229,028	$ 1,300,238

(51% of the this cost is met by the NZ Transport Agency)

21. Total Mobility trips and expenditure are also growing substantially. This is probably due to the growth in the proportion of Hawke’s Bay’s population which is over 65.

Total Mobility Trips July to January by year

Year	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Total
2012-13	6,753	6,839	6,471	7,256	6,925	6,447	6,022	46,713
2013-14	7,401	6,804	6,611	7,658	7,365	7,185	6,546	49,570
2014-15	8,320	7,950	7,677	8,267	7,701	7,948	6,354	54,217
2015-16	7,949	7,219	8,186	7,708	7,876	7,974	6,464	53,376
2016-17	7,904	8,827	7,756	7,525	8,728	8,028	6,412	55,180
2017-18	8,250	8,607	8,090	7,732	8,397	7,122	7,293	55,491
2018-19	8,372	8,302	7,889	7,843	8,956	7,451	6,726	55,539
2019-20	9,559	8,501	8,624	9,277	8,613	8,439	7,469	60,482

Total Mobility Expenditure July to January by year

Year	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Total
2012-13	$44,451	$44,877	$43,241	$46,217	$45,383	$39,881	$37,347	$301,397
2013-14	$49,274	$46,153	$43,965	$50,189	$47,744	$46,968	$39,581	$323,874
2014-15	$55,780	$53,489	$51,223	$54,492	$53,591	$49,973	$38,990	$357,538
2015-16	$50,877	$46,255	$52,340	$48,692	$51,546	$50,992	$40,488	$341,191
2016-17	$51,904	$56,536	$49,607	$50,179	$58,273	$49,239	$41,584	$357,321
2017-18	$58,041	$58,047	$55,477	$52,546	$59,020	$51,360	$47,887	$382,378
2018-19	$60,537	$60,282	$57,320	$55,541	$64,114	$52,387	$47,239	$397,421
2019-20	$72,464	$63,205	$63,894	$69,626	$67,079	$59,899	$55,761	$451,928

Decision Making Process

22. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded:

22.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset.

22.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.

22.3. The decision is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy.

22.4. The persons affected by this decision are all persons interested in the management and development of transport systems in Hawke’s Bay.

22.5. The decision is not inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

22.6. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee:

1. Receives and notes the “Transport Manager’s Report”

3. Agrees to the continuation of the funding governance group to provide oversight of the NZTA driver licensing funding allocation, comprising:

3.1. Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, Cr Martin Williams

3.2. One other Regional Transport Committee territorial authority member, Cr _____

3.3. NZ Police representative, ___________

3.4. Ministry of Social Development representative, ___________________.

Authored by:

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Regional Transport Committee

Friday 27 March 2020

Subject: RoadSafe Hawke's Bay March 2020 Update

Reason for Report

1. This regular report provides the Committee with an update on road safety statistics in the region and a snapshot of road safety activities undertaken by Roadsafe Hawke’s Bay.

Background

2. There are a number of documents that provide the direction for the road safety activities, including:

2.1. The Government Policy Statement for Land Transport (GPS)

2.2. “Road to Zero “– the NZ road safety strategy 2020

3. The focus for road safety in New Zealand is the Safe System approach. This recognises that all elements of the road system need to be strengthened and that we need safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, safe road use and safe speeds. This approach recognises that all parts of the system have an important role in reducing our crash rates; if people make mistakes, then our roads, roadsides and vehicles should, as much as possible, protect them and other road users from harm.

Hawke’s Bay Statistics

4. Road deaths by district for the 2020 calendar year to date.

Territorial Authority	Road deaths 1 Jan to 16 March 2020
Wairoa	1
Hastings	1
Napier
Central Hawke’s Bay
TOTAL	2

5. There were 2 deaths on Hawke’s Bay roads for the same period in 2019, and the highest number of fatalities for this period was in 2016, when 5 people had already died on Hawke’s Bay roads by this time.

6. Nationally, the road toll sits at 70 compared with 70 in 2019 and 88 in 2018.

Crash factors – trends over time

7. The following graphs set out trends over time for a range of crash factors in Hawke’s Bay. There has been some improvement in trends since 2008 for several crash issues, although recent increases could start to reverse this. Other factors, notably speed and motorcycle crashes, are worsening.

RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay Recent Activities

8. The road safety coordinator CHB and Wairoa, Liz Schlierike, has been working with the Wairoa District Council on the replacement of the RoadSafe HB billboards that are on the highway network and further placements on rural roads. Designs for these have been created by young men in the youth unit at the Hawkes Bay Regional Prison.

9. Ms Schlierike will be presenting at the driver licence programme that is run at Wairoa College. Her presentations will focus on restraints, impairment, distraction and speed.

10. She will also be presenting to the school’s Year 11 students prior to them attending the Youth Expo in May, as well as follow-up work and evaluation after the Expo. RoadSafe HB will be funding transport for the students to attend the Expo.

11. We have also coordinated road side operations with the Impairment Prevention Team. The focus has been: impaired drivers, un-restrained vehicle occupants, cell phone use in vehicles, as well as fatigue issues for truck drivers.

12. In Central Hawke’s Bay, Liz Schlierike has been contributing to the Safe Communities Coalition activities. We will also be funding transport for CHB students to attend the Expo.

13. Planned child restraint activities are underway across the region, including the distribution of the ‘Tamariki in the Car’ resource packs to the region’s child care centres and at suitable events.

14. Planning for the Hawke’s Bay Youth Expo is currently underway. All the stakeholders are returning this year. New exhibits this year will include: road markings and treatments (how these support safety), tyres, VTNZ (your responsibility to warrant and register your vehicle) and ANCAP safety rating of vehicles.

15. We have developed a new road safety social media campaign, which is now underway. This features the road safety partners we work with and how this collaboration is designed to keep all road users safe.

Decision Making Process

16. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Regional Transport Committee receives and notes the “RoadSafe Hawke's Bay December 2019 Update” staff report.

Authored by:

Linda Anderson

Regional Manager RoadSafe Hawke's Bay

Anne Redgrave

Transport Manager

Approved by:

Tom Skerman

Group Manager Strategic Planning

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.