Innovative weather-activated variable speed sign trial – a first for road safety in New Zealand

Linking the Waikato and Bay of Plenty is the nationally strategic State Highway 29 (SH29) over the Kaimai Range. Between 2007 and 2015 there were 267 crashes and data identified 70% were in wet weather with 40% driving too fast for the conditions. This prompted development of a system which encourages people to drive at speeds appropriate to the road and conditions. The system is New Zealand’s first to use weather-activated road signs with adjustable speed limits – commissioned in November 2015. The objective of the innovative two-year trial is to educate drivers to better understand speed limits in adverse weather.