Enable Collaboration Launched

20th August 2008

Abley Transportation Engineers Limited today launched our Team Portal website named "Enable". Enable is accessed via http://enable.abley.com and provides web based access to documents in shared folders for successful project collaboration. Enable uses a check-in, check-out method for document management and versioning control.

Enable can be provided to existing or new clients regardless of Abley Transportation Engineers specific involvement in your project. Such is our commitment to good project management and successful project delivery. Contact Steve if you would like to discuss using Enable on your project.

Christchurch City Council presentation on Public Transport Accessibility Assessments

Steve and Paul Lecture to University of Canterbury Master Students

Bike Wise Battle

Thursday, 20 March 2008

The team at Abley Transportation Engineers have great joy in announcing they placed second nationally and first in Canterbury for organisations with 3-6 employees in the Bike Wise Battle.

Steve Abley Elected to IPENZ Board 2008 to 2010

Friday, 15th March 2008

The election scrutineers recommended that the membership be informed that Steve Abley has been elected to the IPENZ Board for a further 2 year term. "It is with tremendous pride that the membership has given me the opportunity to represent them again" said Steve.

Andy Milne joins Abley Transportation Engineers

Monday, 10th March 2008

We are proud to announce that Andy Milne has accepted a position of Senior Transportation Engineer. Andy is an engineer and transportation planner educated at University of Westminster in London and Napier University in Edinburgh. Andy practices in the areas of transportation impact assessments and development planning. Andy commences work on Monday 14 April 2008 and is available via email andy@abley.com.

Steve Abley Runs for Second Term on IPENZ Board 2008 to 2010

11 February 2008

Steve announced today he is running for a second term on the IPENZ Governing Board.

"I have served two years on the IPENZ Board and contributed to increasing the Membership by 700 in that time. My vision is to double the Membership over the next five years and leverage our voice at a national and local level".

"I have had valuable leadership experience in various Board roles and as Chairman of the Canterbury Branch, including bringing a NASA engineer to Christchurch, resulting in TV1 and TV3 interviews. I want to continue my track record by promoting Members' engineering achievements and the value of our professional organisation.

Over the last two year's Steve role on the board has been particularly active, in 2007 he was a member of the audit committee, special subcommittee, competence assessment board and Pacific Island Workshop attendee. He was IPENZ Canterbury Branch Chairman from 2004 to 2006, an IPENZ practice area assessor from 2003 to 2006 and IPENZ Canterbury Branch Secretary in 2003.

Steve says "I would be thrilled to represent the membership again."

Road Safety Risk Manager - Training Project

18 January 2008

Abley Transportation Engineers has been appointed by Colin Brodie (Transit National Safety Engineer) to train Transit's seven Regional Safety Engineers in the use of Road Safety Risk Manager, a software package that is used to evaluate hazards and treatments to mitigate those hazards on road networks. The need for the project has arisen from Transit's policy for continually improving road safety. Transit's Regional Safety Engineer's will use the software to ensure that minor safety projects put forward for construction are sound and cost effective.

Paul Durdin Senior Transportation Engineer Commences Work

7 January 2008

Large Format Retail and Transport

7 January 2008

Abley Transportation Engineers has recently completed a study into the transportation effects of distributed retailing in Christchurch. Our firm was commissioned to undertake a RMA(s32) analysis on the transportation effects that a Council lead District Plan variation might have when trying to return Christchurch to a centres based approach. We were asked to prepare and present evidence at the Council Hearing and later to the Environment Court. Our report and Environment Court decision is available for download. Contact Steve if you have any questions.

Christmas Holiday Hours

December 2007

Staff River Rafting Trip

15 December 2007

Abley Transportation Engineers spent an enjoyable day white water river rafting on the Rangitata River. The weather was great, and the rafting was adrenalin pumping. It was an unforgettable day, and we look forward to next years Christmas adventures!

Paul Durdin joins Abley Transportation Engineers

Monday, 26th November 2007

We are proud to announce that Paul Durdin has accepted the position of Senior Transportation Engineer. Paul is Chartered Engineer and is also Secretary of the IPENZ Transportation Group (Canterbury Branch). Paul practices in the areas of transportation and parking impact assessments, presentation of expert evidence at Council Hearings and the Environment Court, intersection modelling, bus priority and crash prediction models. Paul commences work on Monday 7 January 2008 and is available via email paul@abley.com.

Billboard Best Practice Guide produced for Christchurch City Council

Monday, 26th November 2007

The discussion regarding the location and content of billboards on sites alongside various roads in Christchurch has received increasing interest. Given that billboard installations will continue, and demand for new sites will probably increase, the Christchurch City Council commissioned Abley Transportation Engineers Limited to provide a Billboard Best Practice Guide. The contents for the report can be viewed here.

If you are interested in knowing more about the report content, please contact Steve.

Reuben teaches primary school about Geographic Information Systems

Thursday, 8th November 2007

Reuben Williams visited an extension mathematics class at Ilam School today to demonstate the value of GIS. His presentation to the class demonstrated the function of GIS as a tool for analysing engineering and planning issues. The purpose of his visit was to demonstrate that applications for maths are varied and are not always obvoius. Reuben visited the school as a Futureintech ambassador. You can view Reuben's ambassador profile at the Futureintech website:
http://www.futureintech.co.nz/careers.cfm?profileID=371&categoryID=9

Our GIS portal is live at gis.abley.com

Friday, 2nd November 2007

Abley Transportation Engineers now provides clients with access to our interactive GIS portal. Clients are able to view maps using google maps style seamless panning. Other features include interrogation of feature attributes, layer control and the ability to export to PDF. For a demonstration of this service, please visit http://gis.abley.com

Vacancy: Senior Transportation Planner/Engineer - Christchurch

Friday, 12th October 2007

Our good work is being noticed and resulting in an expanding client base and significant repeat commissions.

Never heard of us? That's probably because we don't undertake any advertising. Even so our good reputation precedes us, resulting in an expanding work load involving research, strategy, expert evidence, best practice guidance, transportation assessments and GIS/transport integration. Our clients include central and local government, non profits and private developers.

If you are a progressive thinker, have a good understanding of transportation legislation including the RMA and have designed or implemented sustainable transport initiatives, then we want to hear from you. We offer a flexible working environment, a wide and interesting portfolio of projects and a very competitive salary. Applicants must be a hold a current practising certificate as a Chartered Professional Engineer or equivalent in a related field.

Prospective applicants should obtain the position description, conditions of appointment and application form from Steve Abley:

Phone: +64 3 377 4703
Fax: +64 3 377 4702
Email: steve@abley.com
Website: http://www.abley.com

All enquiries will be treated in the utmost confidence. Applications close on Monday 12 November 2007.

NB URL = http://www.jobhunt.co.nz/search3.cfm?id=9426&PID=80

Steve Abley Presents at Energy Forum.

Wednesday, 5 September 2007

Steve Abley presented to Environment Canterbury's 'Energy into the Future - Security Reliability and Resilience' Forum today. Specifically Steve was asked to comment on the future of the energy system in Canterbury with respect to transportation. The Forum was opened by Sire Kerry Burke, Chairman of Environment Canterbury and the keynote speaker was Mike Underhill, CEO of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). To view Steve's letter of thanks from Mike O'Connell, ECan's Energy Portfolio Convenor, click here.

Steve Abley Presents to Hamilton City Councillors

Tuesday, 4 April 2006

Steve was invited by Hamilton City Council Councillor Daphne Bell to present to the Council on opportunities for sustainable transport. His presentation was enthusiastically received and Steve’s world Sustainable Transport Tour provided for interesting discussion. Steve is available to present to other leadership groups on the topic of sustainable transport. Contract Steve Abley Transportation Engineering

Steve Abley Elected to IPENZ Board

Wednesday, 22 March 2006

Steve Abley is elected to the IPENZ Board on a platform of increasing the breadth and depth of membership and continuing to provide member benefits

Steve Abley Runs for IPENZ Board

Tuesday, 7 February 2006

Steve Abley is proud to announce he is a candidate for the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) Board. Steve is a self employed consulting traffic and transportation engineer and Director of various companies and trusts. He has or holds a number of leadership positions including the Secretary Canterbury Branch IPENZ 2003, Practice Area Assessor 2003-2006, Transportation Group 2003-2006, Chairman Canterbury Branch IPENZ 2004-2006. Steve says “My vision is to double the number of IPENZ Members over the next five years by promoting engineering and the value of our professional organisation. I have been the Chairman of the Canterbury Branch for the last two years; last year we arranged 18 presentations to about 4,000 people, brought a NASA engineer to Christchurch who was interviewed on TV1 and TV3 and we provided Canterbury engineers with significant Member benefits. I want to continue this track record and represent you on the Board, strongly promote your engineering achievements and support you via a larger Membership base.”

NZ Cycling Conference 2005

15 October 2005

Steve Abley presented a paper at the biannual NZ Cycling Conference in Wellington on 15 October. He talked about the results of his world tour in May and June 2005 visiting eight countries and thirteen cites meeting the world’s leading transport professionals on sustainable transport. His journey included Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Lima, Bogota, Boulder, Portland, Amsterdam, Delft, Houten, Drachten, London, Singapore and Perth.

He observed both mainstream transport modes, including cycling and non mainstream modes, also including cycling. Why is it then that such major differences exist in transport planning policies that cycling can be accepted, safe, cheap, healthy and sustainable and within a fairly short plane trip it can be perceived as unacceptable, unsafe and expensive?

Steve Abley developed these themes and offered experiences on how some cities are changing common perceptions about transport planning; including moving cycling into a mainstream transportation mode.

This presentation is available on request, please email Steve

Big Christchurch Presence in Engineering Excellence Awards

Thursday, 13 October 2005

The Chairman of the Canterbury Branch of the Institution of Professional Engineers, Steve Abley is rightfully proud of Canterbury’s engineering companies.

“We have to celebrate our successes and triumph our engineering leaders” says Abley. He goes on to explain that New Zealand must up its productivity to remain competitive. “New Zealand comes 24th out of 29 similar economies sampled by the OECD in terms of productivity. Australia in contrast comes in fifth in the same survey”.

“Canterbury is leading the way in New Zealand in terms of innovative thinking and production” says Abley. He points out that Christchurch Women’s Hospital, and the South Christchurch Library and Service Centre are among the finalists in the inaugural New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards.

The awards are sponsored by the Institution of Professional Engineers in association with a number of partners including Ingenium, the Centre for Advanced Engineering, and Electrical Engineers’ Association of NZ.

The list of Canterbury nominees is impressive. It includes the Holmes Consulting group, Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner, City Solutions of the Christchurch City Council, machinery manufacturer Wyma Engineering and domestic power-use conservationists Energy Mad.

“These awards are important so the achievements that engineers accomplish are publicised and engineering careers encouraged”. “If we don’t continue to push boundaries and ask questions, then we won’t be able to have the lifestyle we want in the future”.

Abley explains that engineers add value and increase productivity. “The Engineering Excellence Awards are a way of shining the spotlight on the skilled individuals who by their example are productively using engineering to shape the world we live in”.

The awards are staged in Wellington on Wednesday, November 23 2005.

NZIM/Eagle Technology Young Executive of the Year

Tuesday, 20 September 2005

Reg Garters, CEO of the Southern Regional Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Management congratulated Steve Abley for being a Southern Region Finalist in the NZIM/Eagle Technology Young Executive of the Year 2005. Steve attended the awards dinner held at the Copthorne Hotel Commodore along with Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand Board Member, Ross Major.

Blast off as hundreds of school children descend on Christchurch’s Town Hall

Tuesday, 2 August 2005

coincidentally [Jack Bacon] will be in Christchurch speaking to primary and secondary school students at the Christchurch Town Hall the same day as the space shuttle Discovery’s returns to Earth on Monday, 8 August 2005. “It should be a blast” says Steve Abley, Chairman of the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ) Canterbury Branch, who invited Jack to come to New Zealand to inspire and encourage a new generation of technologists and engineers on a viable career path by exploring just how far imagination and vision can take them.

For more information see:
http://www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/media_comm/2005/blast_off.cfm

Engineering Canterbury's Economic Boom

Thursday, 7 July 2005

The Canterbury economy can be far more successful says Steve Abley, Chairman of the Canterbury Branch of the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ). “Why doesn’t NZ produce enough technologists when we have a world class research and engineering school right here in Christchurch?” Steve says that according to the most recent data New Zealand has the lowest percentage of engineering graduates in the OECD and compared to the so called ‘tiger’ economies we need about 4,000 first year engineering students per year, not the 1,000 that are currently split between Auckland and Christchurch.

Look overseas to solve congestion problems says engineer

Monday, 11 April 2005

A proposal to travel for over two months to study nine cities’ transportation solutions, and bring home suggestions for New Zealand’s increasing congestion and transportation problems has won Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ) member Steve Abley the 2005 Hume Fellowship worth $25,000 - one of the premier awards available to the engineering profession in New Zealand.

For more information see:
http://www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/media_comm/2005/hume.cfm

Unpleasant Environment Fails Elderly, Says Engineer

IPENZ Convention - March 2005

"We have failed a large section of our community by providing an environment that is unpleasant, and provides low accessibility to an increasing proportion of the community - the elderly", says Steve Abley, Chairman of the Canterbury Branch of the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ). Steve's presentation is available on request, please email steve@abley.com.

For more on this article see:
http://www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/media_comm/2004/elderly_fail.cfm

Living Streets Aotearoa Inaugural Conference

November 2004 - Completing the design process

Steve Abley presented at the inaugural LSA Walking Conference in Wellington New Zealand and spoke on the importance of completing the design process and street consumer testing. Steve introduced the concept of Review, Audit and Rating as elements that complemented the well known design elements of concept, design and maintenance. Steve's presentation is available on request, please email Steve

Steve Attends Launch of Designing Living Streets at UK House of Commons

September 2004 - UK House of Commons

Steve Abley was invited to attend the public launch of Designing Living Streets, a plain English design manual aimed at helping design professionals to create lively and connected communities coauthored by Steve for the UK. The event was attended by Tony McNulty MP, Minister for Transport and Phil Hope MP, Minister for Public Spaces within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The event was hosted by Anne Campbell, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, and Poly Toynbee, the Guardian columnist. Steve traveled to London to attend the event.

Traffic Man out to make the streets safe for walking

Monday, 16 February 2004

Article in the Christchurch Star, New Zealand. Steve Abley, a traffic engineer and Living Streets UK Honorary Technical consultant, has a simple message: everyone is a pedestrian even if they drive cars or catch the bus.

For more on this article see:

http://www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/media_comm/2004/abley.cfm