What is Transport for Christchurch?

Transport for Christchurch (TFC) is a joint venture between a number of agencies including the Christchurch City Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

The TFC website project was established to assist road users in Christchurch to find the quickest and safest route around the city following the 22 February 2011 earthquake, and is supported by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Agency (CERA).

Back to top

How should I use the TFC website?

The TFC website interactive map will show real-time information on current travel speeds, weight restrictions and road closures throughout the city.  By checking a planned route before leaving on your journey you can check whether there are any road closures or delays which could affect your travel around the city.

The website also includes the latest news stories on events around the city, e.g. festivals and demolitions, and how they could affect your travel plans

Back to top

What do the different colours mean on the ‘travel speed’ map key?

The TFC website interactive map displays current travel speed information on main arterial roads throughout the city.  The travel speed information is supplied in real-time by GeoSmart.  These travel speeds are compared to travel speeds recorded historically at low congestion times.  The status of the traffic speed is highlighted by using different colours;

• green means the traffic is flowing normally at between 75% and 100% of uncongested travel speeds,
• yellow means the traffic speed is slightly slower than normal at between 50% and 75% of uncongested travel speeds,
• red identifies a slow traffic speed at between 25% and 50%  of uncongested travel speeds
• and black identifies very slow traffic or no traffic speed at between 0% and 25% of uncongested travel speeds.

Back to top

How often is the TFC website updated?

The website’s interactive map is updated with real time travel speed information and current and planned road closures.  You can check when the map was last updated as the time is shown at the bottom of the key area.

In addition, news updates are posted on the website daily.

The interactive map displays road closures and road works.  As unplanned events are manually input, there may be some delays in displaying unplanned road closures or emergency road works.

Back to top

Where does TFC website get its information from?

Construction firms and contractors must apply for permission from the road controlling authorities, Christchurch City Council or NZTA before they start work on a road project (e.g. closing a road or establishing a road works site).  Once the road project has been approved to begin, this information will be displayed on the map.  Information displayed will include the type of disruption and expected date that the work will be completed by. 

Back to top

Why are some streets not showing on the map as being closed when they  have partial road or lane closures?

Only road works sites with moderate to significant impact on traffic will be included on the interactive map.  This is to minimise the volume of information on the map and to highlight the most relevant information for road users.   The following  are currently being shown on the map.  

Major Works  – Work sites that are causing traffic disruptions on main Christchurch routes.

Major Events – Events that are causing temporary traffic disruptions.

Road Closures – Roads closed to all traffic including pedestrians and cyclists. Does not include lane closures.

Weight Restricted – Roads or bridges that are restricted to certain weight classifications.

 

Back to top

How do I find information regarding coming events affecting my travel plans around Christchurch?

The News and Events tab on our home page will take you to current information on up-coming events and road closure news.

If you know about an event which will affect travel around Christchurch which is not included on this website, please email tfc@ccc.govt.nz.

Back to top

Why do some closed roads still show good travel speed on the interactive map?

The travel speed information is supplied by GeoSmart. This travel speed data shows current travel speeds compared to travel speeds recorded historically at low congestion times.  As there is no congestion on these routes the speeds displayed are “fast” even though the roads are closed.  We suggest that the road works and road closure information is the primary information and the travel speed data is used as supporting data to inform your route choice.

Back to top

I can’t read the map properly because the key with road closures etc is located over the top of the map.  How do I fix this?

Most computers display the key out to the right side of the map, but unfortunately a small number of computers display the key on top of the map as your screen does.  You may have to adjust your settings or just move the map to the left as you zoom in. You can also hide the key display by clicking on the ‘key’ button which will minimise the key.

Back to top

In the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster will the correct data be displayed immediately?

We are currently working out a procedure together with our Civil Defence partners to ensure that information will still be timely and useful should an event occur.

Back to top

How do I find out about changes to the Central City Red Zone cordon?

The Central City Red Zone cordon boundaries are provided by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) and are highlighted on the interactive map.

CERA, who manage the Central City Red Zone, keep us informed about Red Zone cordon boundary changes.  We manually update the cordon boundary on our interactive map, so there may be some delays in displaying up to date information.

For further information go to CERA

Back to top

How do I find out about major demolitions around the city?

CERA will provide locations of major demolition sites that will affect arterial roads around the city.  We manually update this information on our website, so there may be some delays in displaying up to date information.

Back to top

How do I report a road issue?

Before you phone us about a road issue, it would be really helpful if you had the following information at hand:

• For all issues please let us know the location, including road name and the nearest intersection or landmark.  This will help us locate the issue more quickly.
• For a road work site issue, let us know the name of the contractor on the information signage at the site.

Report a city road issue to the Christchurch City Council Customer Call Centre, phone (03) 941 8999, 0800 800 169, email info@ccc.govt.nz. 

Report a state highway issue to NZ Transport Agency, phone 0800 44 44 49. (refer to the map on the Contact Us page).

Back to top

Why is the NZ Transport Agency involved in this website? 

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is a Crown entity that manages access to the road network through driver and vehicle licensing and provides funding through the National and Transport Programme towards state highways, local roads, road policing, public transport, research and sector training.  NZTA also manages 10,906 kilometres of state highways.  To see a map of state highways around Canterbury and Christchurch see main map. For more information on NZTA visit website.

Christchurch City Council manages all roads in the Christchurch City Area that are not state highways, footpaths and bus-stops.

Back to top

Why is the Christchurch City Council involved in this website?

The Council is responsible for managing a varied range of services and facilities on behalf of the city’s residents.  This includes the management of all roads in the Christchurch city area that are not state highways, footpaths and bus-stops.

For more information about Christchurch City Council visit website.

Back to top

Who is the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Agency (CERA)?

CERA are a Crown agency responsible for facilitating and directing, if necessary, the recovery of Canterbury following the impact of the earthquakes.

For more information about CERA visit website http://cera.govt.nz

Back to top

Who is the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT)?

SCIRT stands for the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team, and is an alliance of contractors engaged jointly by CERA, Council and NZTA to rebuild the majority of the horizontal infrastructure (water, sewer, storm water and roads) that was damaged by the earthquakes.

SCIRT will be working on up to 100 worksites around the city that may cause travel disruption and delays. This work is critical to the rebuild of Christchurch, and we request your patience at these sites and others around the city.

For more information about SCIRT visit website http://strongerchristchurch.govt.nz

Back to top

Who do I contact with feedback about this website?

If you have any suggestions or ideas about this website, please email tfc@ccc.govt.nz.

For more information about Christchurch City Council visit website

For more information about New Zealand Transport Agency visit website

Back to top