Chapter 9:
Here's an alphabetical list of important terms used in the Pedestrian network guidance.
The speed at which, or below which, 15 percent of travellers are moving.
The speed at which, or below which, 85 percent of travellers are moving.
Where two or more routes meet at the same vertical level.
A Barnes dance crossing is a form of traffic signals where all vehicles are temporarily stopped allowing pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time.
A physical obstacle, eg a fence, to prevent vehicles that leave the roadway from entering pedestrian areas.
Comparing the performance of an organisation, system or network with that of others, using a set of measures (indicators) that are common to each.
An area alongside a roadway, free of potential hazards that are not frangible or breakaway.
The organisation commissioning a project. For many road projects this will be either the road controlling authority or the developer.
A walking strategic plan for improving the walking environment specific to a defined community area, that identifies the area’s issues, difficulties and proposed remedial actions.
CPTED is a crime prevention philosophy based on proper design and effective use of the built environment. The use of CPTED is intended to reduce crime and fear of crime by reducing criminal opportunity and fostering positive social interaction among legitimate users of space.
National Guidelines for CPTED Part 1: Seven Qualities of Safer Places(external link)
National Guidelines for CPTED Part 2: Implementation Guide(external link)
The slope of the footpath perpendicular to the direction of travel.
Any point on the road network that has been designed to assist pedestrians to cross the roadway.
The distance over which pedestrians must see approaching vehicles to be able to judge a safe gap to cross.
A section of a traffic island or raised median where the height has been reduced to the level of the roadway to make an area where pedestrians can wait before crossing another part of the roadway.
The most direct route that people want to walk either paved or unpaved. This can sometimes be identified by an informal path worn into a grassy area by repeated pedestrian traffic.
The direction along a roadway towards which the vehicle flow under consideration is moving.
A driveway is defined in the Land Transport (Road User Rule) 2004 as a place used or appearing to be used as a vehicle entrance to or exit from land fronting a roadway.
A wheelchair powered by an electric motor that is used by a mobility impaired person.
A thin, directional sign showing the name of, and pointing the way to walk to, a major trip destination.
A footpath is defined in the Land Transport (Road User Rule) 2004 as ‘a path or way principally designed for, and used by, pedestrians; and includes a footbridge.’
Street furniture and other road infrastructure designed to break away or deform when struck by a motor vehicle, in order to minimise injuries to occupants.
The part of the footpath next to adjoining land or along fences and buildings.
GIS stands for Geographic Information System – a computerised system used for storing, retrieving, manipulating, analysing, producing and displaying geographic data, which is referenced by map co-ordinates.
The separation of road users by a difference in heights, usually by use of an overpass or an underpass.
The slope parallel to the direction of travel.
Data collected to measure progress toward a particular goal or objective.
An upright panel that lists key destinations, with directions showing the way to walk to each one.
A school pedestrian crossing point that is not marked as a pedestrian zebra crossing, at which a school patrol operates.
A raised border of rigid material (eg concrete) formed between the roadway and the footpath.
A localised area where part of the footpath is lowered to the same level as the roadway next to it to facilitate convenient entry to the roadway. Kerb crossings are also known as kerb ramps, kerb cutdowns, pram crossings, drop kerbs and dropped kerbs.
A localised widening of the footpath at an intersection or mid-block, which extends the footpath into and across parking lanes to the edge of the traffic lane. Also known as kerb buildouts, outstands or kerb blisters.
See Kerb crossing
The part of the footpath next to the roadway.
A flat area at the top or bottom of a ramp.
The amount of walking that would happen if conditions were improved, but which is not happening currently.
An organisation that promotes walking as a healthy, environmentally friendly and universal way of transport and recreation.
A regional or territorial authority responsible for local government.
A road or street used mainly for access to neighbouring properties with little through traffic.
A chair on wheels used by a mobility impaired person, and propelled by the muscular energy of the user or pushed by another person.
A continuous painted or raised strip along the centre of the roadway.
A raised area within the roadway that provides a place for pedestrians to wait before crossing the next part of the roadway.
A range of small, lightweight vehicles operating at speeds typically below 25 km/h and driven by users personally. Micromobility devices include cycles, e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, shared cycles, and electric pedal assisted (pedelec) cycles.
Traffic signals that are not at intersections, that stop traffic to permit pedestrians to cross the roadway.
A pedestrian whose ability to walk is hampered by a temporary or permanent loss of ability. It includes those using mobility aids, those carrying difficult parcels or accompanying small children, and those with temporary conditions such as a broken limb.
A powered vehicle designed for use in the pedestrian environment by a person with a physical or neurological impairment.
A kerb designed to define the edge of a roadway but which may be mounted or driven across, if the need arises, with little risk of damage to a vehicle.
The observation of people and their surrounds by others carrying out their normal activities.
The height above the footpath within which there should be no obstructions for pedestrians.
A parklet is a reallocation of roadway space usually by converting on-street parking spaces either temporarily or permanently. They provide more space and amenities for people using the street and can include eg seating, outdoor dining, greenery.
A short section of widened footpath to allow one group of pedestrians to pass another easily.
A pedestrian is defined in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 as ‘a person on foot on a road; and includes a person in or on a contrivance equipped with wheels or revolving runners that is not a vehicle’. This can include a person walking or running, a person pushing a pram, a person in a wheelchair and a number of other users.
Users of skateboards, skates and scooters are not pedestrians as defined by law but are permitted on the pedestrian network.
Provision at a particular place to assist pedestrians to cross the roadway.
A fence that channels pedestrian movement away from unsafe locations, eg railways or motorways.
The extent to which pedestrians can walk by direct routes to their desired destinations.
A raised area of roadway or raised table that slows vehicles and assists pedestrians to cross. They generally have a flat top and sit flush with the kerbs. On their own they provide a focus for pedestrians to cross, however pedestrians must still give way to vehicles.
A raised area within the roadway that provides a place for pedestrians to wait before crossing the next part of the road.
An area set aside for pedestrians only. Some vehicles may be permitted under specified conditions, such as for deliveries, or people cycling with care.
A plan developed on a one-to-one basis, according to the individual’s specific travel needs, to encourage them to use public transport, walking and cycling.
Feeling safe from the risk of injury, attack or accident.
See Kerb crossing
PUFFIN crossings are a type of crossing widely used in the United Kingdom with the pedestrian signal displays on the same side of the road as the pedestrian user and sensors to detect if pedestrians need more time to cross. They are not defined as PUFFIN crossings in NZ, the correct terminology is a mid-block signal-controlled pedestrian crossing with nearside signals.
A vertical deflection device designed to reduce the maximum comfortable operating speed for vehicles to Safe System collision speeds. Raised safety platforms can be designed to accommodate priority crossings or non-priority crossing treatments for pedestrians.
See Road controlling authority
A flat area, part-way through a ramp or steps, at which pedestrians can recover from their exertions. Also known as a landing area.
A road is defined in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 as ‘a street, motorway, beach, bridges, culverts, ferries and fords forming part of a road or street, and a place to which the public have access whether as of right or not.’
Organisations that are legally responsible for roads, including every city and district council, unitary authorities and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The part of the road used or reasonably usable by vehicular traffic in general.
The process of checking a proposed design or existing road to identify features that may result in unsafe conditions. Safe system audit replaces the road safety audit procedures.
A programme that aims to improve safety and remove barriers to walking (and cycling) to and from school.
A Safe System audit is an independent review that assesses the safety risks associated with transport improvement and renewal projects. It replaces road safety audit procedures.
Older children or occasionally adults control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at pedestrian crossings and kea crossings. They use STOP swing signs in both directions to stop vehicles and permit children to cross free of conflict with vehicles.
Specially signed temporary speed limits covering the school zone for the time before and after school.
Unlike school patrols, school wardens don’t step into the road, stop or control vehicle flows. They use their arms to stop children crossing the road until it is clear of approaching vehicles.
A programme that aims to encourage students to walk, scoot and cycle to school.
A pedestrian whose ability to walk is hampered by the partial or full loss of a sense, mainly sight or hearing. It may include those who are colour blind.
When people's movements to their destination (eg work, school, shops) are deterred by physical or operational elements such as busy streets, railway lines or topography resulting in a longer, or even untenable journey. For more information refer to
Bridging the gap NZTA Urban Design Guidelines [PDF, 9.2 MB]
A shared path is a path that is intended to be used by pedestrians, people cycling, people using mobility devices and wheeled recreational devices (Traffic Control Devices Rule, Part 2: Definitions). A shared path may become a 'multi-use path' if it includes additional users, for example horse riders.
A shared zone is defined in the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 as ‘a length of roadway intended to be used by pedestrians and vehicles’. Shared zones aim to eliminate the segregation of road users and allow the space to be shared. The shared zone sign means that traffic is required to give way to pedestrians but pedestrians must not unreasonably impede traffic.
The part of the roadway outside the traffic lanes.
The distance, measured along the roadway, between a pedestrian about to enter the roadway and an approaching driver, or between two drivers, or between a driver and an object on the roadway.
Equipment within the footpath such as signal poles, lighting columns, signs, parking meters, seats, landscaping etc.
The part of the footpath between the through route and kerb zone primarily used for street furniture.
A specially profiled footpath surface that can be felt underfoot. It is provided to warn or direct vision impaired people. Legally named Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) and also known as tactile paving.
The central part of the footpath designed as the place where pedestrians have a continuous and accessible path of travel.
Changes to the road , both physical and regulatory, to encourage road users’ behaviour appropriate to the environment (eg reducing speeds, discouraging through-traffic movements).
Changes to the road environment to reduce the number of vehicles travelling through an area.
Markings (often metal studs, coloured tiles or painted markings) set directly onto the footpath that pedestrians follow to reach their destinations.
A package of measures tailored to particular sites, such as schools or businesses, to promote active and environmentally friendly travel choices and reduce reliance on single-occupancy motor vehicles.
The place a journey ends.
The place a journey starts.
The direction along a roadway that the vehicle flow under consideration has come from.
The overall design and structure of settlements.
A pedestrian whose vision is reduced and cannot be adequately corrected by spectacles or contact lenses, and who may use tactile, visually contrasting and audible cues when walking.
An attachment to a traffic signal face to minimum glare and reflection effects and reduce the possibility of a signal being seen by a road user for which it is not intended.
The extent to which the built environment is walking friendly.
An individual, or group of individuals, who encourage and support pedestrian activity.
The area covered by a set walking time (e.g. 5 minutes) from a destination. Also known as a Pedshed.
A document setting out a strategy to increase walking and provide a walkable environment, including a programme of actions to achieve this.
Methods to assist pedestrians to find where they are and where they need to go to reach a destination. Refers to the ways in which people orient themselves, navigate from one place to another and enhance their understanding of a place.
A vehicle that is a wheeled conveyance (other than a cycle that has a wheel diameter exceeding 355mm) and that is propelled by human power or gravity; and includes a conveyance to which are attached one or more auxiliary propulsion motors that have a combined maximum power output not exceeding 300W. This can include skateboards, skates and scooters (push and electric). A person using a wheeled recreational device can use either the footpath or the roadway.
A travel plan tailored to a particular business, workplace or group of workplaces sharing a common location, influencing travel choices of staff and visitors.
A zebra pedestrian crossing point with longitudinal markings, where vehicles are required to give way to pedestrians on the crossing. Legally they are called pedestrian crossings.
