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Chapter F13 Traffic systems and road safety
F13.5 Traffic signs and pavement markings
Introduction
This section sets out the NZTA's policy with respect to the installation, maintenance and renewal of traffic signs and pavement markings.
Standards
Traffic signs and pavement markings must comply with the Manual of traffic signs and markings (MOTSAM) adopted by the NZTA.
Responsibility for traffic signs
The table below describes the responsibility for traffic signs and those that are eligible for funding assistance.
| Type of sign | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Regulatory signs | The road controlling authority
Note: Regulatory signs on local roads relating to state highway intersections are a full charge to the state highways programme |
| Permanent warning signs | The road controlling authority |
| Temporary warning signs for planned road works/activities | The agency authorised to carry out the work
Note: Signposting is subject to the approval of the road controlling authority |
| Temporary warning signs for emergency conditions | The road maintenance contractor under direction from the road controlling authority
The cost of holding stocks are maintenance costs for the roads involved |
| Guide signs | The road controlling authority for the leg of the intersection on which the sign is erected |
| Road and street name signs | The territorial authority controlling the road or street to which the sign refers |
| Tourist information signs defining routes of tourist interest (eg, heritage trails) | The local or tourist interests requiring the signs, with locations and format of signs subject to the approval of the road controlling authority
All costs are to be met by the special interest groups |
| Tourist signs advertising the presence of recognised tourist interests | The road controlling authority, with costs of installation and maintenance to be met by the interest groups requesting the signs
Note: The accepted reviewing authority (normally the regional council) must advise the road controlling authority of the agreement to use these signs. The location and format of the signs require the road controlling authority's agreement. |
| Motorist service signs directing motorists to services for which an international symbolic message has been approved (eg fuel, accommodation, eating facilities and rest areas) | The road controlling authority, but only where an established need exists to provide information to the travelling public
Note: For all other cases, costs are to be met by the agency requesting the signs, with approval from the road controlling authority |
| General information signs | The road controlling authority |
| General advertising signs indicating sales outlets adjacent to the roadway | The interest groups requesting the signs, at full cost to the advertised commercial interest
Note: Such signs may be erected only with the permission of the road controlling authority |
Maintenance guidelines
The maintenance of pavement markings, the frequency of replacement and cleaning of signs, and the repainting of support posts are dependent on traffic and environmental conditions within a local area and are therefore not conducive to control by national guidelines. RCAs should develop guidelines suitable for their local situation.
Note: Maintenance of parking and fire hydrant locator markings on state highways in urban areas is funded within the relevant land transport programme.
Programming
Programming is as follows:
- The maintenance of traffic signs and pavement markings is eligible for funding assistance under work category 122: traffic services maintenance.
- Renewal of traffic signs and pavement markings is eligible for funding assistance under work category 222: traffic services renewals.
- Installation of new traffic signs and pavement markings in association with a road renewal project, up to a limit of $10,000, may be programmed in work category 231: associated improvements.
- Installation of new traffic signs and pavement markings or upgrading them to the current standard, in excess of $10,000, is eligible for funding assistance under work categories:
- 341: minor improvements
- 324: road reconstruction.
- All traffic signs and pavement markings necessary to bring a new facility into service are included in the project costs under work categories:
- 323: new roads
- 324: road reconstruction
- 325: seal extension.
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