How we’re supporting freight movement
The freight challenge is significant. Here in New Zealand, we’re a long way from our international markets, we have a small domestic market and our terrain is demanding.
Ideally, freight needs to move on or between chosen modes – air, sea, road or rail – without impediment. For us, this means ensuring the transport network as far as possible provides that freedom of movement, while also being cost effective and effiiently using resources now and in future.
In line with the Government policy statement on land transport funding, 2009/10-2018/19 (external link) we’re giving priority to transport solutions that increase the efficiency of freight movement as part of contributing to national economic growth and productivity.
Freight movements are predicted to double by 2020, with heavy truck travel increasing 85 percent between 2005 and 2010 (Prediction of New Zealand’s freight growth by 2020, TERNZ 2006). Simply increasing the number of trucks on the road is not the answer. We need to consider options that ensure the overall efficient movement of freight, such as improving the efficiency of truck movements and moving more freight by rail and sea.
We’re contributing to this goal through initiatives such as:
- targeted location of freight-related developments
- dedicated traffic management
- freight-specific signage
- parking and rest facilities
- freight bypasses
- measures such as dedicated lanes.
