MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGIONAL OFFICE

1 May 2008

New Wellington webcams to help motorists make informed travel decisions

Wellington motorists today have four new webcams to help them make more informed travel decisions when commuting to and from Wellington city.

Transit New Zealand central operations manager Mark Owen says this is good news for the capital’s motorists who have indicated a need for more web-based information on traffic conditions.

“There is an increasing demand from road users for real-time traffic information so we are extremely pleased to be able to add a further four cameras at key locations on SH1. This offers Wellingtonians the ability to monitor conditions and make choices on their journeys.”

The four new cameras, which can be accessed via the Transit New Zealand website under road and traffic information, are all located on SH1 and offer static images updated every minute. This allows motorists to see how busy the roads are at any given time and plan their journey accordingly.

The specific locations are:

Johnsonville South Overlooking the motorway at the top of Ngauranga Gorge
Ngauranga Camera 1 Looking south from the top of Ngauranga Gorge
Ngauranga Camera 2 Mid Ngauranga Gorge looking south
Coast Road South of Fisherman’s Table between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay

The locations of the new webcams were selected because they have high morning and evening peak flows due, mainly to commuter traffic. These webcams boost the current network of Transit webcams and electronic message boards situated along SH1 and SH2 informing motorists of traffic conditions ahead.

“We already had six Citylink operated webcams connected to the Transit website, and three Transit webcams showing traffic conditions related to the Dowse to Petone Upgrade Project site on SH2 in Lower Hutt. However, it was always understood that the public wanted more cameras elsewhere.

“We appreciated this wish and with the inclusion of four new webcams, Wellington now offers a total of 13 to view before setting off on a journey. Transit’s ability to let travellers know what is happening before they hit the road and when they are already on it is greatly enhanced by improvements like this,” Mr Owen says.

Wellington District Police Communications Manager Kaye Calder says the police support Transit’s initiative, as giving motorists up to the minute traffic information is only going to make travelling on Wellington roads better.

“This is another great tool to give motorists up to date conditions, which has to be welcomed,” Ms Calder says.

Citylink’s Neil de Wit says the inclusion of further webcams for Wellington can only be seen as a positive move in the new internet-based era, and Citylink is also looking to expand its webcam service.

The webcams can be accessed directly at http://www.transit.govt.nz/road/webcams.jsp and coincide with the launch of webcams for Christchurch today.

Webcams are already operating in Auckland and have proved very popular, with the webcams receiving around 172,000 hits per day over one month.

ends

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