TRAFINZ Conference 2011

In November Judith Makinson (TDG Hamilton) and Dave Petrie (TDG Nelson) attended the TRAFINZ Conference 2011 held in Hamilton.

The conference was attended by a broad cross-section of attendees including local authority politicians, engineers and safety co-ordinators, NZTA/MOT, NZ Police, consultants, trade representatives and other interested individuals. There was considerable focus on the NZTA’s 'Safer Journeys' strategy with presenters from many different backgrounds promoting:

• application of a safe system approach to road safety
• practical application of safe systems
• role of sustainable travel, and
• challenges facing the nation regarding the funding of these different elements of road safety under current Government programmes.

Both Judith and Dave took interest in matters from rural road risk assessment, travel planning, ‘eco-driving’ and the Model Communities trial programme being run in both Hastings and New Plymouth (where Traffic Design Group staff are involved on behalf of our local authority clients).

The conference’s social programme was also considered a roaring success involving an opening night icebreaker with team challenges, and a conference dinner complete with Elvis impersonator, fancy dress, a chamber music quartet and Bollywood themed activity! Who said transportation conferences were dull and boring!