Planning considerations for local roads
Considerations for local arterials
Arterials are the roads that link districts or urban areas within a region and connect regionally significant facilities such as a port or airport. Although regional arterials are identified in district plans and feature at the top end of hierarchies, they often look and operate just the same as other busy roads. This is why local authorities need to identify and define the expectations of roads that perform a regionally important role.
Considerations for local streets
Local streets provide many social and recreational functions. The planning concept 'living streets' recognises these functions. It encourages the design of streets and speed limits to embrace living and community interaction to achieve a better and safer quality of life. It views streets as spaces shared by pedestrians, playing children, cyclists and low-speed vehicles. While cars are not excluded, streets, and the guidelines for their use, are designed so that drivers recognise they are in an area where pedestrians and others users are important.
Neighbourhood accessibility planning
Neighbourhood accessibility planning involves collecting data and consulting with communities to identify safety and access issues (including perceived barriers) in spaces shared by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
The types of solutions developed depend on the issues, facilities and services in the area. However, expected actions would include:
- improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists
- improving the environment (including providing greater access) for pedestrians, cyclists and those accessing shared modes of transport
- increasing the use of active and shared forms of transport in the area.
Contact the neighbourhood accessibility planning coordinator to learn more about neighbourhood accessibility planning.
Community programmes
We provide funds to councils and their communities to undertake activities that encourage transport choices. It includes activities that encourage a voluntary change in travel behaviour by providing consumer information and encouragement. To be eligible for funding, programmes must promote safety and improved travel choices.
Learn more about community programmes:
How local roads are funded
Local roads are funded from several sources:
- local rates
- other local sources such as developer contributions
- central government funding through the National Land Transport Fund and the National Land Transport Programme that we administer.
The funding that a council receives from us is known as the funding assistance rate (FAR). We set this rate under criteria set by the Minister of Transport. The rate is calculated on a needs basis.
Learn more about transport funding.
Find out more
For more information and guidance on planning for local roads see:
Neighbourhood accessibility plans (NAP)
- Information for local authorities starting projects
- Guidelines for coordinators
- Resources to support the guidelines for coordinators
- Case study research 2008
- Terms of reference template: investigation stage, available in Word format
- Terms of reference template: prioritisation study, available in Word format
- Summary posters for Nelson, Papatoetoe and South Dunedin.
Other complementary guideline documents
- Share the road – guidance and examples for running campaigns
- School travel plan coordinator's guidelines
- Workplace travel plan coordinator's guidelines
- Cycle network and route planning guide
- Pedestrian planning design guide
- Kiwirap (external link) - the road safety rating of state highways for risk
- Planning for community programmes – a practical guide to assist the decision-making process.
