Kerbzone Optimisation Framework

MRCagney was engaged by Auckland Transport to develop the Kerb Zone Optimisation Strategy. The purpose of the project was to provide guidance on the allocation of public space within the kerb zone throughout Auckland. The project was delivered in two phases, the discovery phase, followed by the development of the framework. 

The first phase looked at the existing management processes relating to the kerb zone, and how other cities are evolving their approach to kerb zone management. This involved a deep dive into understanding AT’s system planning tools and strategic framework including how the kerb zone is managed and who is responsible. This phase involved many meetings with AT and Auckland Council staff that work with the kerb zone to understand their systems and processes. We also completed an international desktop scan of cities that have applied innovative kerb zone management measures, how these were applied and the results of these actions.   

There were several deliverables for Phase 1. These were: 

Discussion Document – this summarised discussions with stakeholders and research from Phase 1 and concluded with the main problems and opportunities for Auckland. 
International Scan – this document provided information on five international case studies of successful kerb zone management. It also identified the main themes in relation to kerbside management and tools being used by these cities.  
Discovery of the Auckland Context – this document provided details of the systems and processes being used by AT and Auckland Council to manage activities in the kerb zone at the time. This includes the policy or guidance tools, the approval process, the data systems and governance process for each activity.  

The second phase involved the development of the Kerb Zone Management Framework (KZMF). This built on the work completed in Phase 1 and the existing systems that AT employs to manage the kerb zone. This framework will help to ensure allocation of kerb zone space provides benefits to Aucklanders and contributes towards AT’s strategic objectives. The framework identified the main kerb zone management techniques and their benefits. It provided guidance on which land use context the techniques are most appropriate in, and the approval processes required to implement them. These techniques were developed in a series of workshops with the consultant team and then tested with the AT project team. The consultant team also provided information for Steering Group meetings and AT Board Meetings to describe the KZMF, how it would be used and the benefits and alignment with strategic objectives. We also provided some worked examples of how the KZMF could be applied in certain areas of Auckland to demonstrate the proposed approach.  

The work completed on the Kerb Zone Optimisation Strategy provided a comprehensive set of information that allowed AT project teams to start applying improved management of the kerb zone. The KZMF has been incorporated into Auckland Transport's Room to Move Strategy.