Marlborough District Council Roading Assets - Activity Management Plan 2015 - 2018 SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cyclists and motorcyclists feature modest downward trends over the 5 year period in the context of numbers (annual means of 12 and 8 respectively). However in terms of growth as transport media and vulnerability in a crash, the welfare of these groups require continued focus and intervention. 1.7.5 Vulnerable Road Users Government policy and Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy are referenced earlier in this report and record the increasing focus on safe travel for these road user groups. The preceding passage provides a current regional perspective. With progressive ageing of the population, it can be expected policies will also be introduced recognise the reasonable demands of mobility scooters. New guidelines and practices are emerging from NZTA to enable cost effective implementation of their recently published policy and standards. Astute programming and design focus will be required to incorporate essential new ‘vulnerable user’ facilities into programmed works and to retrofit to key sites to assure a safe level of service to meet increased demand and to foster use of these transport media as targeted by government policies It is noted that pedestrians (particularly aging pedestrians) are more vulnerable to trauma in vehicular collisions than most other groups of road users. 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Impact Speed (Km/h) 1.7.6 7.4 Cost Issues There are a number costs which are difficult to accurately forecast and require prudent recognition when preparing budgets and managing programmes as part of this Activity Management Plan. Vandalism A persistent problem with the extent varying annually. An annual cost of vandalism cost of $50,000 in both road sectors in Marlborough is not unusual. This requires curtailing other programmes to fund essential repairs to maintain safety aspects of the roading network. Maintenance of New Traffic Services There is a steady increase in the number of new traffic signs, markings, delineation, sight rails etc. to meet SMS policies and as discussed in Section 6.11, Traffic Services. This in turn increases costs arising from recurring maintenance, phased renewal, damage and vandalism. Issue Emergence Crash types or crash locations may emerge at short notice and require timely intervention to meet safety performance objectives. This work can generally be accommodated by Minor Safety or Traffic Services providing these programmes have been managed judiciously throughout the year. Policy Development Legislative changes, policy development and safety initiatives can impose costs at short notice. Implementation of the One Network Road Classification may be a factor in the near future along with improvements of pedestrian facilities (including at rail crossings) and cycle treatments at intersections and along key routes 30 September 2014 Page 148 of Section 1 ytilataF fo ytilibaborP %