38-626: The Historic Kopu Bridge (originally Hauraki Bridge and sometimes Waihou River Bridge ) is a single- lane swing bridge that spans the Waihou River , near its emergence into the Firth of Thames in the Thames-Coromandel District of New Zealand's North Island . The bridge was completed in 1928 and was part of State Highway 25 . The swinging span in the middle of the bridge is 43 metres long and with an overall length of 463 metres,
76-434: A lane is part of a roadway that is designated to be used by a single line of vehicles to control and guide drivers and reduce traffic conflicts. Most public roads ( highways ) have at least two lanes, one for traffic in each direction, separated by lane markings . On multilane roadways and busier two-lane roads, lanes are designated with road surface markings . Major highways often have two multi-lane roadways separated by
114-631: A median . Some roads and bridges that carry very low volumes of traffic are less than 4.6 metres (15 ft) wide, and are only a single lane wide. Vehicles travelling in opposite directions must slow or stop to pass each other. In rural areas, these are often called country lanes . In urban areas, alleys are often only one lane wide. Urban and suburban one lane roads are often designated for one-way traffic . For much of human history, roads did not need lane markings because most people walked or rode horses at relatively slow speeds. However, when automobiles, trucks, and buses came into widespread use during
152-497: A 12 ft (3.7 m) standard lane width, while narrower lanes are used on lower classification roads. In Europe, laws and road widths vary by country; the minimum widths of lanes are generally between 2.5 to 3.25 m (8.2 to 10.7 ft). The federal Bundesstraße interurban network in Germany defines a minimum of 3.5 m (140 in) for each lane for the smallest two lane roads, with an additional 0.25 m (9.8 in) on
190-409: A higher-speed road in order to provide safe and frequent access to local homes and businesses. In some areas, the lane adjacent to the curb is reserved for non-moving vehicles. A reversible lane ( contraflow lane ) is a lane where the direction of traffic can be changed to match the peak flow. They are usually used where there are periods of high traffic, especially rush hour where the traffic
228-476: A new two-lane bridge opened directly to the south of the old bridge. The old bridge remains under active threat of demolition. However a local group, the Historic Kopu Bridge Society has been working since 2011 to retain the bridge into community ownership, so that it may remain as a pedestrian and cycleway and NZ's last remaining operational swingbridge. The original bridge was built in 1928, under
266-586: A second or third lower width lane in the same direction for cars 1.75 m (69 in) – those that have been built exclude trucks from these narrower lanes; however lower width lanes are not a recommended design principle for new roads, as it could be dangerous if traffic becomes heavier in future. In the United States, the Interstate Highway standards for the Interstate Highway System use
304-413: A steep grade without slowing other traffic. They are typically used by large trucks or semi-trailer trucks , which go uphill more slowly than they travel on level ground. They are often used on major routes such as motorways and interstate highways . Some high-volume limited-access highways use a local–express lane system. This physically separates express lanes for long-distance travel (closer to
342-460: Is a lane on a multi-lane highway or motorway closest to the median of the road (the central reservation ) used for passing vehicles in other lanes. (North American usage also calls the higher-speed lane nearest the median the "inside lane" but in the United Kingdom this is the "outside lane".) Countries with right-hand traffic put the passing lane on the left; those with left-hand traffic put
380-502: Is also maximal at a width of 3.0 to 3.1 metres (9.8 to 10.2 ft), both for motor traffic and for bicycles. Pedestrian volume declines as lanes widen, and intersections with narrower lanes provide the highest capacity for bicycles. As lane width decreases, traffic speed diminishes. Narrow lanes cost less to build and maintain. They lessen the time needed to walk across, and reduce stormwater runoff . Pedestrian volume declines as lanes widen, and intersections with narrower lanes provide
418-452: Is not the case in many European countries. Lane markings are mostly lines painted on the road by a road marking machine , which can adjust the marking widths according to the lane type. Traffic reports in California often refer to accidents being "in the number X lane." The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assigns the numbers from left to right. The far left passing lane
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#1732863176580456-401: Is predominantly in one direction, and on roads that may be geographically constrained, such as over bridges. One or more lanes are removed from the opposing flow and added to the peak flow – this technique is known as tidal flow. Dedicated lanes are traffic lanes set aside for particular types of vehicles: Some jurisdictions generally prohibit trucks from faster lanes on motorways, or from
494-481: Is the number 1 lane. The number of the slow lane (closest to freeway onramps/offramps) depends on the total number of lanes, and could be anywhere from 2 to 8. However in the UK, "lane 1" is the "slow lane" (left-hand lane). Lane capacity varies widely due to conditions such as neighboring lanes, lane width, elements next to the road, number of driveways, presence of parking, speed limits, number of heavy vehicles and so on –
532-451: The fast lane , and the lane closest to the shoulder the slow lane . Some jurisdictions, particularly on limited-access roads, ban passing-lane driving while not overtaking another vehicle; others merely require slower cars to yield to quicker traffic by shifting to slower lanes, or have no limitations. A climbing lane , crawler lane (UK ), or truck lane , is an additional roadway lane that allows heavy or underpowered vehicles to ascend
570-418: The 1960s, traffic used the passing bays, but after angry confrontations between motorists had become more common, lights were installed. Until that time, the bridge had still sometimes used for herding of livestock, but soon after the signalisation, further increasing traffic queues began causing calls for a replacement bridge. In late 2009, a webcam was installed to allow online checking of queue lengths during
608-515: The Coromandel Peninsula, by the early 1990s the bridge became the most heavily used single lane bridge in the country, with traffic volumes of an average of 9,000 vehicles per day. Traffic flow over the bridge was controlled by traffic lights and the bridge was notorious for queues which formed during peak times such as holiday weekends, when three hours delay were common. Rarely used as boat traffic declined (especially for shipping use, with
646-458: The Hauraki Plains, and was reckoned to have made a big difference to the local district, having marked the local shift from river transport to road transport becoming dominant, and to Thames moving from a mining town towards a farming service community. It was also considered a project typical of the time and of New Zealand Prime Minister Gordon Coates quest to develop the rural economy. Up to
684-522: The ability to withstand a 2,500-year return period quake. In 2006, Transit New Zealand announced their intention to build a second bridge slightly upstream of the existing bridge and to route the State Highway over the new bridge. The start date was at that time set for no earlier than 2011, but this was later brought forward to late 2009. The new bridge is 587 m long, and has 16 spans, with its foundations being driven 36 m to 50 m deep into
722-437: The allowable width of road vehicles to a current maximum of 2.55 m (100.4 in) for most trucks, and 2.6 m (102.4 in) for refrigerator trucks. These widths do not include side mirrors, but only the vehicle body. The minimum extra space had been 0.20 m (7.9 in) and it is currently assumed to be at least 0.25 m (9.8 in) on each side. The international standard allows roads with less traffic to add
760-673: The assumed maximum vehicle width, with an additional space to allow for lateral motion of the vehicle. In the United States , the maximum truck width had been 8 ft (2.4 m) in the Code of Federal Regulations of 1956, which exactly matched then standard shipping container width. The maximum truck width was increased in 1976 to 102 in (2.59 m) to harmonize with the slightly larger metric 2.6 m (102.4 in) world standard width. The same applies to standards in Europe, which increased
798-514: The bridge was the longest and oldest single lane bridge within the state highway network. It is also New Zealand's only remaining operational swing bridge. As the first available crossing of the Waihou River and the main link between the Hauraki Plains and Coromandel Peninsula , it sees a lot of traffic, especially during holidays. Due to a gradual increase in the traffic between Auckland and
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#1732863176580836-549: The centerline for highways in 1911. Hence, then chairman of the Road Commission, Edward N. Hines , is widely credited as the inventor of lane markings. The introduction of lane markings as a common standard is connected to June McCarroll , a physician in Indio , California. She began experimenting with painting lines on roads in 1917 after being run off a highway by a truck driver. After years of lobbying by McCarroll and her allies,
874-457: The central span is 42.8 m wide and 6.5 m above mean sea level, allowing larger vessels to pass under it, without the need for a swing bridge as for the old structure. Early reports suggested a completion date of mid-2012, but in late 2011 it was announced that the bridge would be ready in time for the December 2011 holiday traffic. Due to its historical significance, it was suggested that
912-561: The existing bridge be retained and upgraded, possibly to be integrated into the Kopu to Kaiaua cycleway along the coast, though the new bridge already provides access to cyclists and walkers. The old bridge was transferred to a community trust on 19 March 2018 with the intention of reopening the bridge by 2022, but by 2023 this had not been achieved. 37°11′27″S 175°33′43″E / 37.190778°S 175.561950°E / -37.190778; 175.561950 Lane In road transport ,
950-578: The express lanes in an express-local system. Some lanes have restrictions based on vehicle weight , for example to prevent overloading certain parts of a bridge . A small number of jurisdictions have truck-only lanes, intended to increase reliability of freight deliveries. Different lanes can also have different height restrictions, depending on the shape of overpasses. The widths of vehicle lanes typically vary from 2.7 to 4.6 m (9 to 15 ft). Lane widths are commonly narrower on low volume roads and wider on higher volume roads. The lane width depends on
988-557: The first two decades of the 20th century, head-on collisions became more common. The history of lane markings is connected to early mass automobile construction in Detroit. In 1906, the first Road Commission of Wayne County, Michigan was formed in an effort to make roads safer. (Henry Ford served on the board in the first year.) In 1909, the commission ordered the construction of the first concrete road (Woodard Avenue in Detroit), and conceived
1026-458: The highest capacity for bicycles. Painted lane markings, which designate a single line of vehicles for movement within traffic, vary widely from country to country. In the United States , Canada , Mexico , Honduras , Puerto Rico , Virgin Islands and Norway , yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions and white separates lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction; but that
1064-521: The holiday periods, a feature that in New Zealand had so far been limited to urban areas. In addition to the constrained traffic over the bridge (with flows projected to increase by 2% per year over the next 15 years), investigations in 2001 had also found that the bridge was likely to be severely damaged or might even collapse in an earthquake stronger than that of a 300-500-year return period , and that it had failed to pass safety inspections which require
1102-468: The lead of the Main Highways Board after negotiations over its construction started in 1911, and planning begun in 1922. It was one of the largest such works of its time, with 23 spans and advanced deep piling for the soft ground of the river bed. It replaced the barges and ferries which had until then served to cross the Waihou River , connected Thames to the newly drained dairy farming grounds of
1140-400: The median) from local lanes which have access to more frequent exits and entrances. Express lanes may have their own shoulders for safety, and sometimes dedicated entrance and exit ramps. (The term "express lane" is also used for HOV and toll lanes, which may or may not be physically separated.) A frontage road is a similar arrangement, were one or more lanes are physically separated from
1178-754: The outer sides and shoulders being at least 1.5 m (59 in) on each side. A modern Autobahn divided highway with two lanes per direction has lanes 3.75 m (12.3 ft) wide with an additional clearance of 0.50 m (20 in) on each side; with three lanes per direction this becomes 3.75 m (12.3 ft) for the rightmost lane and 3.5 m (11 ft) for the other lanes. Urban access roads and roads in low-density areas may have lanes as narrow as 2.50 m (8.2 ft) in width per lane, occasionally with shoulders roughly 1 m (39 in) wide. Depending on speed, road curvature and vehicle properties, heavy goods vehicle (HGV) combinations are prone to "high speed outside offtracking". This means that
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1216-400: The passing lane on the right. Motorways typically have passing lanes along their entire length, but other roads might only have passing lanes for certain segments, depending on design specifications typically related to available space, funding, and traffic levels. A 2+1 road alternates the passing lane between directions every few kilometers/miles. The passing lane is commonly referred to as
1254-680: The rearmost axle of the trailer does not follow the lateral path of the truck tractor unit, but may travel significantly—up to 1–3 meters (3–10 ft)—away from the curve center. Hence, narrow lanes on sharp curves have to be designed slightly wider than on straight roads. This effect is much greater on slippery snow-covered roads than on bare asphalt or cement concrete, calling for even larger lane widening. In urban settings both narrow (less than 2.8 m (9.2 ft)) and wide (over 3.1~3.2 m (10.2-10.5 ft)) lanes increase crash risks. Wider lanes (over 3.3~3.4m (10.8-11.2 ft)) are associated with 33% higher impact speeds, as well as higher crash rates. Carrying capacity
1292-532: The river once navigable all the way up to the town of Paeroa ) in the latter years before it was closed to traffic, the swing span could still be opened to provide a 15.3 m wide channel to passing vessels. The bridge is the only surviving road bridge of the swing span type in the country and Heritage New Zealand lists the bridge as a Category 1 historic place, while it is also on the IPENZ Engineering Heritage Register. In December 2011
1330-444: The riverbed, due to the soft swampy ground not providing good support otherwise. Much of the ground also had to be forcibly compacted first. The design incorporates images of waka and taniwha , and landscaping using native plants. The cost was originally estimated at $ 32 million but this later rose to $ 47–48 million (including 2.5 km of new approach road as well as a new roundabout near Thames). The bridge's navigation channel at
1368-629: The state of California officially adopted a policy of painting lines on its highways in November 1924. A portion of Interstate 10 near Indio has been named the Dr. June McCarroll Memorial Freeway in her honor. The first lane markings in Europe were painted at an accident hotspot in the small town of Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham , England, in 1921. The success of this experiment made its way to other hotspots and led to standardization of white paint lane markings throughout Great Britain. The first use in Germany
1406-420: The world and became standard for most roads. Originally, lines were drawn manually with ordinary paint which faded quickly. After World War II, the first machines for line markings were invented. Plastic strips became standard in the 1950s. This gradually led to the placement of plastic lane markings on all major roads. A passing lane (North American English), overtaking lane (English outside North America)
1444-499: Was in Berlin in 1925, where white paint marked both lanes and road edges. When the standard for the new autobahn network was conceived in the 1930s, it mandated the usage of black paint for the center line for each carriageway. Black is more visible on the bright surface of concrete. By 1939, lane markings had become so popular that they were officially standardized throughout the United States. The concept of lane markings spread throughout
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