Transport congestion is one of the leading contributors to Auckland’s productivity loss and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. In late 2023, Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and NZTA Waka Kotahi engaged AECOM to draw up a pragmatic blueprint for a fairer, more resilient network that offers genuine travel choices.
The project set out to develop a programme of transport improvements that maximises the value of the existing network — pairing quick wins, such as speeding up public transport enhancements, with longer-term measures to encourage higher-density development around rapid-transit stations.
With Auckland’s population on the rise, broadening travel options and reducing vehicle use are essential to planning a truly sustainable transport network. This brief gave us — and our clients — the perfect chance to identify practical measures that will strengthen our transport system.
Developing practical interventions to reduce vehicle use in Auckland
We assessed the scenarios needed to meet New Zealand’s Emissions Reduction Plan vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) target of a 29% reduction by 2035 and Auckland Council’s Transport Emissions Reduction Pathway goal of a 50% VKT cut by 2030. Our brief was to identify and package initiatives that would boost public transport patronage, make walking and cycling safe and appealing, improve access to key destinations, reduce carbon emissions and enhance road safety outcomes.
We were tasked with developing a practical and equitable set of interventions, capturing capital and operational costs. All of this was done without considering other emissions reduction workstreams such as increasing electric vehicle uptake, freight fleet electrification, or revenue and funding strategies.
Transforming Auckland’s transportation landscape
The VKT Reduction Programme (VKT-RP) was designed to transform Auckland’s transport system within a decade by expanding travel choices rather than restricting them. The project focused on enabling Aucklanders to choose the most suitable mode of transport for each journey. This included feeling safe while walking and cycling, having access to a high-quality, fast, and modern public transport system, and being able to use private vehicles for trips where driving made the most sense. The VKT-RP set the stage for a sustainable and modern future with reduced congestion and greater productivity, and it also aligned with national carbon-reduction and trade commitments.
Our guiding principle was to avoid a single, high-cost project that would only serve one area or one group. Instead, we designed a suite of interventions that work together as a system and deliver benefits across Auckland. The programme was developed through extensive collaboration: public workshops, targeted surveys and regular stakeholder meetings, which led to a final councillor workshop that united Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and NZTA Waka Kotahi around a shared vision.
An integrated and pragmatic programme was essential to achieving these ambitious targets by leveraging all available resources, challenging existing norms, and ensuring both a nominal VKT reduction and an overall reduction in carbon emissions. We led and managed the core transport planning workstream, including strategy and programme development, delivery and cost planning of the project. We also facilitated and managed the overall project programme and integrated findings from the land use and public engagement workstreams delivered by Auckland Transport and Auckland Council into the project.
Unlocking sustainable mobility with the VKT-RP programme
The VKT-RP programme hinges on five strategic shifts to transform the region’s transport system:
- Shaping urban form: Maximise the use of existing infrastructure and make mode changes self-evident by encouraging intensification and mixed-use developments near public transport hubs.
- Rapid adaptation of existing assets: Deliver projects differently and at scale primarily using arterial corridors and in areas that will reduce network fragmentation. Manage capacity supply for less productive transportation modes by repurposing road space for shared and active transport modes.
- Enhancing active modes: Make active modes safer and more attractive through dedicated cycle lanes, wider footpaths and ‘green’ bridges. Plus provide a cohesive and connected active modes network.
- Improving public transport: Provide reliable and equitable public transport services, particularly for blue-collar workers and communities, by increasing frequency, expanding ferry and train services and establishing new rapid transit networks with priority lanes.
- Motivating behaviour change: Through education, targeted subsidies, planning initiatives and demand management strategies like Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and Time-of-Use Pricing.
A data-driven approach
The VKT-RP is underpinned by local and international research, practical solutions and quantified by comprehensive modelling to ensure alignment with the 29% VKT reduction target. We drew on existing NZTA Waka Kotahi research, numerous strategic and tactical studies, extensive literature reviews and existing modelling tools. Geospatial mapping and visualisation played a crucial role in identifying intervention needs and testing the feasibility of improvements at a strategic level, boosting confidence in cost and risk planning efforts.
This programme provides critical insights to position Auckland as a world-leading city in form and function. It demonstrates that transformation can lead to improved equality, public health, economic growth, and greater efficiency by utilising and repurposing existing road network.
From programme into action
The programme proposes practical and integrated measures, including:
- Infrastructure and service development: Expanding the rapid transit network, connecting high-frequency services across the day, and repurposing approximately 1,650 kilometres of road space for bus and active modes. This would enable a connected, safe and continuous active modes network and a faster and more productive bus network with more priority for public transport on our streets.
- Travel Demand Management (TDM) programme: Implementing a TDM programme to shift travel behaviour among businesses, communities, schools and other institutions through education, subsidies, bike hubs and travel planning services.
- City centre improvements: Building on the city centre masterplan to alleviate pressure on existing infrastructure and enabling access by shared and active transport.
- Land use strategies: Encourage a compact urban form through mixed-use, higher-density development around rapid-transit stations. Upzoning these areas brings people — and essential services like schools, hospitals and shops — within easy reach of high-quality transport while reducing long-term infrastructure and maintenance costs.
- Congestion charging: Introduction of time of use or cordon charging to increase the productivity of our urban state highway network.
Expected outcomes
The anticipated benefits of the VKT-RP include:
- Increasing annual public transport trips from 90 million to over 490 million.
- Boosting active travel mode share from 1% to 17%.
- Reducing congestion and improving access across all transport modes.
- Improving air quality and promoting active lifestyles for better health.
- Enhancing road safety through safer modes of transportation and transport networks.
- Reducing fuel consumption by up to 24%, thereby lowering costs and improving energy security.
The road ahead
Endorsed by the Auckland Transport Board and Auckland Council, the VKT-RP represents a major milestone. Its recommendations can shape upcoming regional transport programmes and underpin Auckland Council’s long-term strategy.
In just four months, we delivered the VKT-RP report thanks to our close partnership with Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and NZTA Waka Kotahi. Our innovative, collaborative approach has already shaped forward planning efforts to ease congestion and accelerate public transport patronage growth across Auckland.