Draft state highway classification

Engagement and feedback on the draft classification

Public engagement on the draft classification took place from 1 February to 31 March 2011.

We received 65 submissions, the majority of which were from regional and local government. Of the 65 submissions received, 38 (58 percent) specifically supported the classification or the concept, while the remainder were silent. No submissions opposed the classification.

The main comments on the criteria and thresholds related to additional ideas for reflecting economic activity and value in the criteria (the data for which is either unavailable or unreliable) and ensuring that the classification utilises future projections (where future projections are available they have already been incorporated in the methodology). No substantive issues were raised by submitters that would necessitate a change to the classification criteria or the thresholds.

Other key issues raised were the importance of integration between state highways and local road networks, the difference between urban and rural state highways and the classification's funding implications. These are issues that were outside the scope of the classification itself and will be addressed in the NZTA's State Highway Network Strategy and Investment and Revenue Strategy.

Thirty one submissions requested changes to the classification of 36 specific state highways or routes in their region or local area. Of these, 31 requested changes, 13 met the required criteria for re-categorising in the final classification. These amendments corrected errors in the draft classification or reflected NZTA acceptance of the rationale of some changes proposed by submitters.

As a result of submissions, 13 sections of state highway were re-categorised. Changes were:

Map ref.	State Highway	Area	Draft	Final
1	SH25A (Kopu & Hikuai)	Waikato	Regional distributor	Regional connector
2	SH26 (Hamilton to SH27 intersection)	Waikato	Regional distributor	Regional connector
2	SH23 (Hamilton to Raglan)	Waikato	Regional distributor	Regional connector
3	SH34 (Kawerau to SH2)	Bay of Plenty	Regional distributor	Regional connector
4	SH46, SH47, SH4 (Tohunga Junction to National Park), SH49	Waikato & Manawatu/Whanganui	Regional distributor	Regional connector
5	SH56 (from Palmerston North to SH57 at Makerua)	Manawatu/Whanganui	Regional distributor	Regional connector
6	SH2 (Melling to Upper Hutt)	Wellington	Regional strategic	National strategic
6	SH58 (Paremata to Haywards)	Wellington	Regional connector	Regional strategic
7	SH71 (SH1S to Rangiora)	Canterbury	Regional distributor	Regional connector
8	SH75 (Christchurch to Akaroa)	Canterbury	Regional distributor	Regional connector
9	SH78 (SH1S to Port of Timaru)	Canterbury	Regional distributor	National strategic
10	SH6 (Five Rivers to Invercargill)	Southland	Regional distributor	Regional connector
11	SH1S (Invercargill to Bluff)	Southland	Regional distributor	Regional strategic

Learn more about what was changed as a result of the consultation on draft classification:

• Maps showing changes to draft classification (PDF, 543KB)
• Revised appendix 2 (PDF, 59KB)
• Q&As on state highway classification (PDF, 51KB)

See the final state highway classification.

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Previous consultation content

Classifying the network is about understanding the function of our highways so we can make them fit for purpose and safe. Is a highway primarily for moving freight to ports and airports, or people to job markets and tourists to key destinations? Is it connecting one region with another or helping people travel within a region? Is it performing several of these functions at the same time?

Once we understand this, we can 'classify' each highway according to these core functions by putting them into categories, eg national strategic, regional strategic. Then we will be able to say what people can expect when they use each category of road. For example, what speed can you expect to drive on each category of highway? What's the average travel time? How predictable is your trip? What sort of roadside facilities or rest areas are provided? Are passing lanes provided?

The more we know about our highway, the more effective we'll be at increasing their capacity to improve productivity.

Once we understand the core functions of each highway, we can then align planning and investment where it is most needed. It's a vital first step towards getting the best out of our most strategic highways.

State highway classification will be an important tool to help us set the long-term strategic direction of our state highway network. It will form part of the State Highway Network Strategy (currently in development) and will help us manage the network and contribute to long-term land transport planning for New Zealand.

Classification systems are common overseas and we are drawing on international best practice in developing our approaches, as well as on existing NZTA work, particularly work identifying key freight and tourism routes.

We want to know what you think

This is the start of an NZTA conversation with you and other stakeholders about the future management of the state highways.

We are talking with local government representatives, road user groups, individual road users and anyone with an interest in the state highway network.

We are particularly interested in your views on the draft criteria and thresholds because they are the foundation for this approach.

Your feedback will help us to decide the final thresholds, criteria and categories applied to state highways. This will in turn inform the proposed levels of service that road users can expect from each category of road (travel time, safety and design).

We expect the new classification, with final versions of thresholds, criteria and categories to be finalised later in 2011 after this engagement process.

Following that, we will seek further feedback on levels of service for each category of highway.

Closing date

Submissions closed on Thursday 31 March 2011.