Agenda of Regional Transport Committee

Regional Transport Committee

12 August 2020

Regional Transport Committee Agenda

Meeting to be held in the Council Chamber

36 Water Street, Whangārei

on Wednesday 12 August 2020, commencing at 9.30am

Recommendations contained in the agenda are NOT decisions of the meeting. Please refer to minutes for resolutions.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE Regional Transport Committee

Chairman, Councillor John Bain

NRC Councillor Rick Stolwerk	FNDC Councillor Ann Court	WDC Councillor Greg Martin
KDC Councillor David Wills	NZTA Representative Mr Steve Mutton

Item Page

1.0 apologies

2.0 declarations of conflicts of interest

3.0 Confirmation of Minutes

3.1 Confirmation of Minutes - 10 June 2020 3

4.0 Financial Reports

4.1 Northland Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2021 Funding Uptake 7

5.0 Operational Matters

5.1 Northland Road Safety Update 13

5.2 Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Update 28

5.3 Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Investment Decision Making Framework Review 48

5.4 Ministry of Transport Information Session 50

5.5 State Highway 1/Loop Road South Intersection 51

6.0 Decision Making Matters

6.1 Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Progress Report 52

Regional Transport Committee item: 4.1

12 August 2020

TITLE:	Northland Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2021 Funding Uptake
ID:	A1342778
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance

Executive summary

This report covers the final subsidy claims submitted to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for the end of the second year of the 2018/2021 three-year funding period and details the funding uptake by each approved authority for the financial period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Recommendation

That the report ‘Northland Regional Land Transport Plan 2018-2021 Funding Uptake’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance and dated 21 July 2020, be received.

Background

Reports on the Northland Regional Land Transport Plan – Funding uptake are tabled at each Regional Transport Committee (RTC) meeting.

These reports serve to update the RTC on the progress of those Activities/Programmes approved for funding assistance in the National Land Transport Programme for Far North District Council, Whangarei District Council, Kaipara District Council and the Northland Regional Council.

Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will detail their funding uptake and related information of progress in a separate report.

Comparisons on Budgeted Expenditure against Actual Expenditure by Activity/Programme for both the full financial year and year to date for the relevant financial year are provided.

The Activities/Programmes reflected in the attached spreadsheet do not include non-subsidised projects or work categories.

The base information contained in the spreadsheets is sourced directly from the New Zealand Transport Agency’s (NZTA’s) ‘2018 – 21 National Land Transport Programme for Northland’ and from the relevant subsidy claims as submitted to NZTA by the approved authorities.

Due to the Covid-19 lock downs, the resultant disruptions to planned projects and services has led to many cost centers reflecting expenditure not meeting projections. This will obviously have a marked impact on the funding uptake for the 2019/2020 financial year.

All approved authorities have been working closely with Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to have unspent allocations carried over into the 2020/2021 financial year.

Any questions in regard to the information reflected in the attached spreadsheets, can be directed to the relevant approved road controlling authority.

Attachments

Attachment 1: Funding Uptake Report - April 2020 ⇩

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Tony Phipps
Title:	Group Manager - Customer Services - Community Resilience
Date:	03 June 2020

Regional Transport Committee item: 5.1

12 August 2020

TITLE:	Northland Road Safety Update
ID:	A1345988
From:	Ian Crayton-Brown, Transport Projects Officer

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report serves to update the Regional Transport Committee (RTC) on the progress of the Northland Road Safety Action Plan and on-going regional road safety related issues.

Recommendation

That the report ‘Northland Road Safety Update’ by Ian Crayton-Brown, Transport Projects Officer and dated 28 July 2020, be received.

Background/Tuhinga

Regional road safety progress reports are tabled at each Regional Transport Committee (RTC) meeting. These shared reports include input from the Northland Road Policing Manager and the Northland Transportation Alliance. This report provides an update on:

• Crash events;

• Road safety promotion;

• Road safety infrastructure projects; and

• An overview of the progress made on both the strategic and programme outcomes for the Northland region.

Attachment 1: is a presentation document from the Northland Road Policing Manager detailing their road safety operational work & statistics.

Road Trauma Update:

12 Months to Date (27 July) Road Death Statistics:

• National = 322 deaths compared to 364 in 2019 corresponding 12-months

• Northland = 27 deaths compared to 30 in 2019 12-months

Annual National Road Deaths 2019:

Both nationally and regionally there had been upward trends in road deaths from 2016 to 2018, then road deaths began trending down in the last two years. This downward trend is continuing in the current calendar year figures.

2020 Year to Date Road Death Statistics:

• National = 173 deaths compared to 203 in 2019

• Northland = 15 deaths compared to 17 in 2019

Although the national level of road deaths is sitting at 30 deaths fewer than the same time in 2019, the recent months are moving back to near normal levels prior to COVID-19 lockdown periods.

RIDS – Restraints, Impairment, Distractions and Speed, continue to be key influences in the outcomes of our crashes.

Northland levels are very similar to last year’s road death figures (-2) and are also influenced by the same driver behaviour risks as evidenced in the national figures.

As evidenced in the Northland Police presentation, slide 2 shows 14 deaths from 10 fatal crashes in the Northland Police District. Two of these crashes involved multiple fatalities of three deaths each. Four fatal crashes involved single vehicle crashes off the road hitting trees (3) and one, a bank.

The 15^th Northland Region death occurred on the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Rd which comes under the Waitemata Police District. This involved a motorcyclist who crossed the centre line eastbound and collided with a Ute vehicle travelling the opposite way.

This snapshot re-enforces that while targeting ‘Road to Zero’ it can only be achieved through broad reaching road safety promotion, driver/rider training, together with the key role of the ‘Safe System Approach’, strengthening all parts of the system and sharing responsibility.

Studies inform us that 71% of serious injury crashes are caused by a ‘lapse or error’.

Timely interventions and treatments with Safe Roads & Roadsides, Safe Vehicles, Safe Road Use & Safe Speeds are all intertwined and consistent with Waka Kotahi’s 2020-2022 Action Plan and focus areas below.

Road Safety Delivery:

Motorcycle Safety - Ride Forever (R4E) Rider Training Update: For the 2019/20 financial year ending June 2020, 217 riders participated in the Ride Forever (R4E) rider training programme across Northland.

The breakdown included riders participating in the following courses: -

• 61 on the Bronze course;

• 112 the Silver course; and

• 67 the Gold course.

Northland Region Motorcycle Strategy:

Provisional discussions have started investigating opportunities to develop a Northland Region Motorcycle Strategy and how to better accommodate & keep safe the growing number of motorcyclists using northland roads. In 2019 there were 5 motorcycle fatalities and so far in 2020 there have been 2 fatal motorcycle crashes.

Motorcycle Awareness Month (MAM): Motorcycle Awareness Month planning continues but we are still waiting for confirmation from ACC as to the new dates.

Road Safety Week: Work is still progressing on the planned activities for national ‘Road Safety Week’ scheduled to take place from 9-15 November 2020. The theme for this year’s road safety week is ‘Step Up for Safe Streets’ and the road safety weeks colour is ‘Yellow’. It is hoped to have several iconic sites lit up in ‘Yellow’ for the month.

Road Safety Planning: Road safety planning is on-going and acknowledges that interventions must be evidence based. The Northland Road Safety Issues 2015-2019 document is being redesigned to include new data sets and new tools to assist road safety partners in their planning and decision making.

Road Safety Promotion/Media: Road safety promotion work continues supporting Police & partners with road safety promotional items with key messaging such as ‘RIDS’ – Restraints, Impairment, Distractions, Speed.

Two new annual road safety radio and print packages are being developed with both Mediaworks and NZME. These will involve regular road safety messaging across the Mediaworks Northland radio network. Print messaging will include weekly road safety messaging in the Northern Advocate and four news supplements with editorial and graphics.

Advertising themes in the Road Safety Advertising Calendar 2020/21 for the months of August & September are ‘Speed, Seatbelts, Motorcycling & Distractions’.

Road Safety Infrastructure Projects: Nick Marshall An update will be provided at next meeting as this area is currently having a number of changes being made in the programmes.

The Far North REAP road safety promotion update is Attachment 2.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Northland Road Policing Managers Presentation ⇩

Attachment 2: FNDC Far North REAP Update ⇩

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Tony Phipps
Title:	Group Manager - Customer Services - Community Resilience
Date:	05 August 2020

Regional Transport Committee item: 5.2

12 August 2020

TITLE:	Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Update
ID:	A1346893
From:	Steve Mutton, NZTA - Director Regional Relationships Upper North Island

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

The Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency will provide an update report to the Regional Transport Committee.

Key messages include:

• Waka Kotahi has agreed to fund 100% FAR for the fare revenue shortfall and direct operating cost increases for public transport services from July to December 2020.

• The greatest impact of COVID-19 to date on Waka Kotahi has been funding. COVID-19 will have an ongoing impact on travel patterns and revenue through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) for several years.

• At the same time, Waka Kotahi had an increase in unbudgeted expenditure in the form of the public transport fare subsidy and impact on capital works.

• Development of the 2021-24 NLTP is going to be one of the biggest challenges Waka Kotahi has faced in the COVID-19 environment.

• Waka Kotahi will need to balance the Government’s transport priorities, with universal funding constraints, and the aspirations of your communities to rebuild your economies.

Steve Mutton – Director Regional Relationships, Upper North Island will be speaking to this paper and presentation.

Recommendation

That the report ‘Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Update’ by Steve Mutton, NZTA - Director Regional Relationships Upper North Island and dated 30 July 2020, be received.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Waka Kotahi Update ⇩

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Tony Phipps
Title:	Group Manager - Customer Services - Community Resilience
Date:	05 August 2020

Regional Transport Committee item: 5.3

12 August 2020

TITLE:	Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Investment Decision Making Framework Review
ID:	A1342795
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This paper serves to introduce Kevin Wright, Senior Manager Investment Assurance, who will be presenting on the recently reviewed Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Investment Decision Making Framework.

This presentation will be conducted via teleconference.

Recommendation

That the report ‘Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Investment Decision Making Framework Review’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance and dated 21 July 2020, be received.

Background/Tuhinga

The Investment Decision-Making Framework (IDMF) is the process by which Waka Kotahi (NZTA) moves from strategic to specific investments.

Waka Kotahi uses the (IDMF) to:-

· Guide its investment decisions;

· Develop, assess and prioritise funding in the land transport system.

As it does this, it is required to give effect to the GPS, which sets out the government’s priorities for expenditure from the NLTF over a 10-year period.

The NZTA has completed its review on how investments are developed, assessed and prioritised. This includes fundamental change in how NZTA make land transport investment decisions; putting people and place, rather than vehicles and networks, at the centre of their decision-making.

The NZTA uses its IDMF to develop, assess and prioritise funding transport investment proposals. The review of this framework was prompted by changes in the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2018 (GPS), which places more emphasis on social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes in transport planning.

This includes environmental impact, safety, resilience, access to transport, public health, urban development and network benefits in transport planning and investment. The GPS 2018 also required an investigation of the NZTA’s evaluation methods, and this has been incorporated as a core part of the review.

The review will result in changes to investment decision-making principles and policies, processes, tools and systems to ensure:

· A shift to a system-based approach to identify, assess and prioritise proposals for future transport investment.

· All transport modes and alternatives (including walking, cycling, public transport and new transport options such as electric scooters and the use of technology) are considered when planning and investing in land transport.

· The inclusion of social, economic, cultural, and environmental outcomes in transport planning and investment, and consideration of the wider impact of transport proposals on communities, the environment and surrounding transport infrastructure.

· A revised system that is robust and easy to use.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Tony Phipps
Title:	Group Manager - Customer Services - Community Resilience
Date:	05 August 2020

Regional Transport Committee item: 6.1

12 August 2020

TITLE:	Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Progress Report
ID:	A1347279
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report serves to update the Regional Transport Committee on the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 (RLTP) and Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) since the 10 June 2020 meeting.

Recommendation(s)

1. That the report ‘Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Public Transport Plan - Progress Report ’ by Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance and dated 31 July 2020, be received.

2. That the Regional Transport Committee approve the recommended changes to the Investment Logic Mapping wording relating to the “Problem and Benefit Statements” and the “Objectives” for the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027.

3. That the Regional Transport Committee approve the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 Project Team’s recommended “Regional Priorities” and the recommended priority listing of the “Regional Priorities”.

Background/Tuhinga

At the 10 June 2020 Regional Transport Committee (RTC) meeting, a report was tabled detailing:

· Progress on the preparation of the Draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2021-2027 and the Draft Regional Passenger Public Plan (RPTP), following the Covid-19 lockdown period.

· An update on the “Strategic Front End of both documents;

· The proposed consultation process to be undertaken for both Plans.

At the meeting, the following recommendation was approved:

· That staff continue to work on both documents as best they can in order to adhere as far as practicable to the approved timetable in order to secure funding assistance for the transport related activities contained in the plans.

Investment Logic Mapping Workshop

On Wednesday 10 June 2020, the RTC Elected Representatives and their support staff attended the 2021/2027 Regional Land Transport Plan Investment Logic Mapping workshop under the direction of an independent convenor, Stephen Davies Howard.

At this workshop, the RTC members approved the: -

· Wording and weightings for the “Problem Statements”; and

· Wording and weightings for the “Benefits Statements”.

Following on from the above, an e-mail was sent to all Elected Representatives and their support staff on 3 June 2020 requesting approval that: -

· The recommended weightings accurately captured the order of severity of the “Problem and Benefit Statements” as agreed at the workshop; and

· The wording of the “Objectives” be approved.

A. RLTP and RPTP Project Team Recommendations for Change in Wording

Based on the feedback received, the RLTP/RPTP Project Team (Project Team) met on 27 July 2020 and agreed that the attached recommendations for minor changes to the wording relating to the “Problem Statements”, “Benefit Statements” and “Objectives” be tabled at 12 August 2020 for consideration and approval.

The proposed changes do not lessen the importance of the problems, required benefits and objectives of Northland but do assist in better aligning the ILM with the Objectives of Government Policy Statement for Transport 2020/2030.

See Attachment 1 for the “Project Teams Recommended Changes to the Problem Statements; Benefits Statements and Objectives”.

When approved, the Draft “Strategic Front End” will be amended accordingly.

B. RLTP Regional Priorities

Contained in the RLTP is a section titled “Regional Priorities”.

These priorities identify the most urgent and significant barriers in the short- to medium-term to achieving the longer-term vision and objectives for the region

On 27 July 2020, the RLTP/RPTP Project Team met and agreed to recommend to the RTC the “Regional Priorities” in descending order of importance.

See Attachment 2 for the list of “Project Team Recommended Regional Priorities” as reflected in the RLTP 2015/2021 and the draft RLTP 2021/2027.

When approved, the Draft “Strategic Front End” will be amended accordingly.

Draft Regional Land Transport Plan and Regional Passenger Transport Plan – “Strategic Front End”

Both draft plans continue to be work in progress. A summary of the RPTP and RLTP development is below:

Regional Land Transport Plan

· Strategic context is largely drafted - including trends in population growth, transport trends and economic trends.

· Work on the strategic framework, objectives, policies and regional priorities is underway.

Regional Public Transport Plan

· Strategic Context has been drafted.

· Objectives have been drafted.

· Policies and methods review is underway.

· Operational policies have been reviewed. The review has highlighted that there are some policy gaps that should be filled. Polices are currently being drafted and will address policies areas such as:

o How council will manage requests for new or amended bus services.

o How council will manage requests for transport to special events.

Timeframes

Since the last report to the RTC in June 2020, there have been a number of changes to the national timeframes that were provided by both the Ministry of Transport and the NZTA and the commencement of this process.

These changes have been identified as: -

· The Government Policy Statement being released late;

· Delay in the release of the Waka Kotahi Investment Proposal;

· Delay in the implementation of the Transport Investment Online programme.

Whilst no definitive release dates in regards the above have been received, any delays in the release of these important documents has the potential to: -

· Delay the required process for the release of the Draft RLTP 2021/2027 and Draft RPTP for public consultation by mid-December 2020. This will result in extreme pressure being placed on the ability of the RTC to have both the RLTP and RPTP being completed and submitted to NZTA by 30 April 2021.

· Should the RTC have to complete and release the Draft RLTP and RPTP for consultation in mid-December 2020 in order to meet NZTA set deadlines, there is the possibility of consulting whilst not having all relevant information available.

The above scenarios are cause for concern and it is recommended that the RTC impress on the NZTA the importance of meeting all set deadlines.

See Attachment 4 for most up to date information pertaining to timeframes for the completion of the RLTP and RPTP.

Risk Register

The attached Risk Register has been updated to reflect the potential impact the national changes reflected in this report, will have on getting both the RLTP and RPTP completed and submitted into the NZTA Transport Investment Online by 30 April 2020.

See Attachment 5 for copy of the Risk Register.

Consultation Process

It is planned to map out the consultation process in more detail in August 2020, however, as in previous years, the RTC will likely find itself having to consult on both plans in December 2020/January 2021. This is not considered to be an optimal time for councils to consult, however is necessary in this instance in order to meet the 30 April 2021 deadline for submission of the plans to the NZTA.

Staff have been advised that there are unlikely to be any changes to the statutory timeline for the submission of these plans.

Whilst there is the possibility of amendments in terms of government priorities and funding availability resulting from Covid-19, all councils are being encouraged to continue as they are at present, and to respond accordingly if advised of any changes.

Failure to meet the April 2021 deadline runs the risk of funding not being approved for transport BAU and projects across Northland.

Considerations

1. Options

No.

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

Approve the recommended changes to the wording of the Investment Logic Mapping “Problem and Benefits Statements and the “Objectives”.

Approve recommended “Regional Priorities” and their order of priority.

Allow for commencement on the “Strategic Front End” of the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027.

Assist in ensuring the completion of the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 meets the prescribed timelines.

None

Do not approve the recommended changes to the wording of the Investment Logic Mapping “Problem and Benefits Statements and the “Objectives”.

Do not approve recommended “Regional Priorities” and their order of priority.

None

Delay in the commencement on the “Strategic Front End of the Regional Land Transport Plan”.

Jeopardise the completion of the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2027 within the prescribed timelines.

The staff’s recommended option is Option 1.

2. Significance and engagement

Sections 12 to 18H of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 details the Significance and Engagement requirements relating to the compilation a Regional Land Transport Plan.

Sections 117 and 118 of the Land Transport Management Act 2003 details the Significance and Engagement requirements relating to the compilation a Regional Public Transport Plan.

3. Policy, risk management and legislative compliance

Policies, Risk management and legislative compliance relating to the compilation of a Regional Land Transport Plan and a Regional Public Transport Plan are stipulated in the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

Risks at this time relate to the timely release of the Government Policy Statement and NZTA related documents and requirements.

Further considerations

4. Community views

Community views are not required at this early stage.

5. Māori impact statement

No Maori impact statements are required at this early stage.

6. Financial implications

There are no financial implications identified at this time.

7. Implementation issues

As detailed under Section 3 of this paper.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Recommended Changes to Investment Logic Mapping Exercise as agreed by Project Team on 27 July 2020 ⇩

Attachment 2: Recommended Regional Land Transport Plan RLTP Regional Priorites as agreed by Project Team 27 July 2020 ⇩

Attachment 3: Northland's RLTP 2020 - 21 & RPTP V0.1 Project Team Recommended Changes 27 July 2020 ⇩

Attachment 4: Timelines for Regional Land Transport Plan 2021 to 2027 and Regional Public Transport Plan 2021 to 2031 ⇩

Attachment 5: 2021-2027 RLTP and RPTP Risk Register ⇩

Authorised by Group Manager

Name:	Tony Phipps
Title:	Group Manager - Customer Services - Community Resilience
Date:	05 August 2020

TITLE:	Confirmation of Minutes - 10 June 2020
ID:	A1346766
From:	Evania Arani, Executive Assistant Customer Services - Community Resilience

TITLE:	Ministry of Transport Information Session
ID:	A1343316
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance

TITLE:	State Highway 1/Loop Road South Intersection
ID:	A1348852
From:	Chris Powell, Transport Manager - Northland Transport Alliance