Roundabout trial in Avondale and Blockhouse Bay

Background

We are trialling a temporary roundabout traffic management approach at two intersections as part of the Auckland Network Optimisation Programme, which focuses on practical, low-cost improvements to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion across the network.

During the morning peak only, trained traffic staff may briefly manage one approach at the roundabout to create a short gap, allowing vehicles from other roads to enter and helping traffic keep moving more evenly. Outside of the morning peak, no changes are expected and the roundabouts will operate as they do now.

This is a short-duration, manual operational measure (not traffic lights) and will only be used intermittently when needed, based on live traffic conditions and safety considerations on site.

We recognise that roundabout trials can sometimes be misunderstood as the introduction of permanent traffic signals. To be clear, this trial does not involve permanent traffic lights or infrastructure. It is a time-limited trial designed to test whether brief intervention during busy periods can reduce queue imbalances and ‘stuck’ conditions at these locations.

Purpose of this trial

The trial is intended to:

• Improve vehicle flow and reduce delays during morning peak times
• Prevent roundabout blocking caused by long queues
• Balance traffic flow between the incoming roads
• Test the effectiveness of brief manual Stop-Go holds on community-scale roundabouts

This work supports AT’s wider effort to improve the existing transport network using practical, low-cost changes.

What happens next

We will monitor traffic conditions at each roundabout during the trial periods. The findings will help inform whether any changes should be made to how these roundabouts operate during busy periods, or whether the arrangements should remain as they are.