QTS-044 · Business case chapter or appendix · 2020
Appendix A Strategic Case (A1 Technical Note 37: Frankton Land Use Integration; A2 Alignment to National and Local Standards; A3 Key Performance Indicator Details; A4 Community Engagement Analysis; A5 Workshop Notes)
Part of: Rapid transit evidence →
Appendix A to the 2020 NZUP Queenstown Transport Detailed Business Case for NZTA (Waka Kotahi) supports the strategic case. A1 is Technical Note 37 (13 November 2020), which describes Frankton's growth, congestion at the BP Roundabout and Frankton Hub conflicts. It proposes a short-term hub upgrade, a substantial upgrade around 2027, a signalised SH6/SH6A intersection and SH6 bus priority. A2 sets out alignment with national and local strategies (GPS 2021 draft, Road to Zero, Arataki, Keeping Cities Moving, Better Ways to Go, RLTP, RPTP). A3 defines key performance indicators. A4 is the March 2019 engagement report on a February 2019 online survey of 349 people. Its main themes were mode conflict, congestion, intersection and pedestrian upgrades and parking. A5 contains workshop notes and slides from September 2018 to April 2019, including draft MCA weightings. The April 2019 Workshop 4 memo concluded that public transport should include 'new public transport corridors facilitated by alternative modes (gondolas or light rail/bus rapid transit)'. It also found that further work was needed to decide whether mass rapid transit or road-based solution delivers more benefits.
What the document says
Context and purpose: Appendix A supports the strategic case of the Queenstown Transport Business Case (NZTA Contract 2018235; Stantec-led consortium with WSP Opus, Abley and Jasmax) for NZTA (Waka Kotahi) and the Way to Go partners. Consultant names are redacted under s 9(2)(a) throughout.
A1, Technical Note 37 'Frankton Design' (divider title 'Frankton Land Use Integration'; 13 November 2020, pp3-9), describes Frankton's growth since 2007, including the airport (about 2.2 million passengers in 2019, p4). It notes that PT commute mode share rose from 3.1% to 8.0% between 2013 and 2018, off a low base (p5), and describes car-oriented development and the BP Roundabout as a pinch point (pp5-6). It sets out the conflicts at the Frankton Hub between urban, tourist, regional and other services (pp6-7). It proposes a short-term hub upgrade and a larger upgrade around 2027 (p7), a signalised SH6/SH6A intersection (p8), and SH6 East/South bus priority with signalised crossings and a set-back walking and cycling route (p8).
A2 (pp11-16) sets out alignment with the draft GPS 2021-31, Road to Zero, Arataki, Keeping Cities Moving, Better Ways to Go (endorsed by ORC on 26 August 2020, p15), the Otago/Southland RLTP and the Otago RPTP, and lists other documents used (p16). A3 (pp18-24) defines KPIs: amenity (VURT-based index), system occupancy, walking LOS, network catchment by mode, visitor experience, urban development potential and quality of life.
A4 is the 'Engagement Report Strategic Case' (March 2019, pp26-61). It reports a February 2019 Social Pinpoint survey with 349 participants (p30). Public transport attracted most interest overall, and was the main interest in the Frankton to Queenstown corridor (p58). The main themes were mode conflict, safety and congestion. The recommended improvements were intersection and side-road access upgrades, pedestrian facilities, an upgraded transport hub and town centre parking (pp28, 59-60). Verbatim comments include suggestions for light rail, a tram on the Frankton Track and monorail/'Above the road MRT' (pp42-44).
A5 (pp62-153) contains Workshop 1 notes (18-19 September 2018) and Workshop 2 notes (9 October 2018), which cover project set-up, scope, governance and problem statements. It also contains Workshop 3 slides for the F2Q long list and MCA criteria, which give draft weightings (pp90-91), and slides for a QTC options workshop (pp109-146). The Workshop 4 'Emerging Packages' memo (April 2019) records that do-nothing and private-vehicle packages performed poorly, and that 'A step change in public transport is necessary' (p150). Two packages emerged: Package 1 (Modest) and Package 2 (Ambitious), with the latter adding a further PT mode (p151). A6 Overarching Engagement Strategy appears only as a divider page (p154).
Mass rapid transit: Passing but significant. The Workshop 4 memo (April 2019) lists 'new public transport corridors facilitated by alternative modes (gondolas or light rail/bus rapid transit)' as a consensus theme (p150). It states that Package 2 'delivers an additional public transport mode' and that 'Further work is required to determine whether a gondola or road-based (light rail/bus rapid transit) solution delivers more benefits' (p151). The memo background says the step change 'is likely to increase the volume of mass transit' (p148). Workshop 1 notes refer to 'the MRT part of the F2Q SSBC' (p64), and the draft F2Q criteria weight 'Public Transport (buses, ferries, MRT)' at 30% (p91). TN37 does not mention mass rapid transit or MRT.
Key figures
- Frankton public transport commute mode share 3.1% (2013) to 8.0% (2018) (TN37, p5)
- Queenstown Airport around 2.2 million passenger arrivals and departures in 2019 (TN37, p4)
- February 2019 engagement: 349 participants; 48 completed the demographic sub-survey; 89.4% locals (p30)
- Frankton Road theoretical capacity of 28,000 daily traffic, tipping point around 2019/2020 (Workshop 2 notes, p71)
- Draft F2Q MCA category weightings 20% each; draft investment objective weights incl. 'Public Transport (buses, ferries, MRT) 30%' within 55% throughput (pp90-91)
Rapid transit
Mass rapid transit means light rail, gondola/cable car, bus rapid transit and similar dedicated rapid-transit technologies. It does not include ordinary bus services or ferries.
Passing. Mentions mass rapid transit without assessing it.
Workshop 4 (April 2019) keeps a mass rapid transit corridor in the ambitious package; further work is needed to choose the technology.
The Workshop 4 'Emerging Packages' memo (April 2019) records a consensus theme that 'Public transport should be multi-modal and include... new public transport corridors facilitated by alternative modes (gondolas or light rail/bus rapid transit)' (p150). It describes Package 2 (Ambitious) as delivering 'an additional public transport mode (besides bus and ferry services)'. It adds that 'Further work is required to determine whether a gondola or road-based (light rail/bus rapid transit) solution delivers more benefits' (p151). The memo's background states that 'a step change in capacity is necessary along the Frankton to Queenstown corridor' and 'is likely to increase the volume of mass transit' (p148). Workshop 1 notes (September 2018) refer to 'the MRT part of the F2Q SSBC' (p64). The draft F2Q investment objective weightings give 'Public Transport (buses, ferries, MRT)' 30% (p91). Public comments in the March 2019 engagement report include 'light rail investment in the Corridor' (p42), 'Tram line along Frankton track' and 'Above the road MRT' (pp42-44). TN37 (November 2020) and A2/A3 do not discuss mass rapid transit or MRT.
"Public transport should be multi-modal and include a combination of bus service improvements, water-based public transport options and new public transport corridors facilitated by alternative modes (gondolas or light rail/bus rapid transit)." (p.150) | "Package two delivers an additional public transport mode (besides bus and ferry services). Further work is required to determine whether a gondola or road-based (light rail/bus rapid transit) solution delivers more benefits." (p.151) | "This step change is likely to increase the volume of mass transit, which will have significant impacts in operation of the town centre." (p.148) | "Does the MRT part of the F2Q SSBC need to consider the traffic coming east from Shotover?" (p.64)
Files
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Main document
Actions recorded
Upgrade the current Frankton Hub in the short term to separate urban from tourism and long-distance services and improve customer amenity.
Not assessed · Short term
In the short-term, we propose to upgrade the current hub
Deliver a more substantial Frankton Hub upgrade timed around the planned 2027 step change in public transport service.
Not assessed · Around 2027
Longer-term, we call for a more substantial upgrade, at best timed around the planned step change
Replace the BP Roundabout with a signalised SH6/SH6A intersection with bus lanes, bus priority and safe pedestrian and cycle links.
Not assessed
the preferred solution of a signalised intersection provides as best as possible for these conflicting functions
Provide extensive bus priority, bus stops, signalised crossings and a set-back walking and cycling route on SH6 East and South.
Not assessed
What we call for in our plans for these sections of State Highway 6 is a game changer.
Carry out further work to choose among mass rapid transit technologies for the ambitious package.
Not assessed · Stantec · Before Workshop 5 (2019) · Relevant to rapid transit
Further work is required to determine whether a gondola or road-based (light rail/bus rapid transit) solution delivers more benefits.
Perform specific analysis on the different public transport modes and connections in Queenstown Town Centre, and investigate short-term deliverable elements.
Not assessed · Stantec · Before Workshop 5 (2019) · Relevant to rapid transit
specific analysis will be performed on the different public transport modes and connections
Appoint an independent quality assurer (IQA) for the business cases.
Not assessed · NZTA · Not stated (2018)
NZTA to appoint an IQA for the business cases. Tony Sizemore to confirm.
Arrange a property specialist for the project.
Not assessed · NZTA · Not stated (2018)
Arrange a property specialist for the project TS
Show all 10 actions
Draft problem statements, develop a preliminary long list and organise a long-listing workshop for 4 December 2018.
Not assessed · October-December 2018
Develop a preliminary long list Project team
Undertake further engagement with people under 30, who were under-represented in the February 2019 survey.
Not assessed
further engagement with the under 30s would be valuable
Study cost
A study cost has been requested under the Official Information Act or LGOIMA. No figure has been received.
Citation
NZTA (Waka Kotahi). Appendix A Strategic Case (A1 Technical Note 37: Frankton Land Use Integration; A2 Alignment to National and Local Standards; A3 Key Performance Indicator Details; A4 Community Engagement Analysis; A5 Workshop Notes) (2020). NZTA Contract 2018235; Stantec Project No. 80510559 (TN37, workshop notes); 310201227 (Engagement Report); 310101227 (Workshop 4 memo, as printed).