A new trial roundabout has been installed in Whanganui as the council attempts to slow traffic and improve road safety in the city.
Whanganui District Council’s latest road modification is a temporary rubber roundabout in a known collision area at the intersection of two busy streets.
The Ingestre-Wicksteed streets roundabout, on the edge of the CBD, included eight radiating splinter islands which resemble small speed humps.
There have been 11 reported crashes at the intersection in the past five years, three causing injuries.
"This is attributed to the intersection being situated on the brow of a hill and limited sightlines for vehicle users caused by parked vehicles," the council said.
"In the past, both of these factors reduced visibility for motorists entering from either side of Wicksteed St."
The council said the aim of the trial is to improve safety at the intersection for vehicle users and pedestrians.
Radiating splinter islands were a common traffic management tool in other cities.
Council transportation manager Damien Wood said they were a tangible and audible reminder to reduce speed while going around the centre island and were intended to discourage drivers from “straight-lining” the roundabout.
“The radiating arms are to get people to drive around the speed humps and the centre island and to discourage them from driving straight through.”
He said radiating splinter islands had been used previously in Whanganui as mini roundabouts for short-term works such as for traffic light upgrades. This was the first semi-permanent use of the traffic management tool.
The radiating splinter island humps attracted some ridicule and criticism on social media platforms, but Wood said there were always people for and against new community initiatives.
The council was collecting feedback through its customer management system and general feedback, he said.
Sixty per cent ($18,000) of the $30,000 cost of the trial was being funded by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, with the council funding the rest.
The rubber roundabout was removable and more economical than installing concrete or asphalt alternatives.
It would be in place for up to two years while the effects were assessed or until a decision was made on an alternative.
A painted circular road marking around the splinter islands would also be added.
Installation was due to be completed by July 1.
The trial followed similar changes at the end of last year at the Guyton-Wicksteed streets intersection, including a new rubber roundabout and raised rubber pedestrian platforms on each block of central Guyton St.
Wood said the Guyton-Wicksteed intersection worked had received favourable feedback.
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There were no plans at this stage for similar work at other intersections, he said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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