01152856

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2149-01

http://scholar.google.com...Park&publication_year=2010

School speed zones are frequently requested as traffic controls for school areas on the basis of the common belief that if a transportation agency would install a reduced speed limit, then drivers would no longer speed through an area. A Texas research project was initiated to review existing practices and to develop guidelines concerning the establishment of school zones. Researchers sought to answer several questions about the relationships between operating speed and reduced-speed school zones. Researchers documented existing knowledge through a review of previous research on the effectiveness of devices, surveys of practitioners and law enforcement officers, and a review of existing school zone guidelines and warrants. In addition, researchers collected speed data at 24 school zones, focusing the analysis on unique characteristics of reduced-speed school zones, such as length, duration, and time of day relative to the start and end of school. Of particular interest was the finding that longer school zones do not result in lower speeds for a longer distance; speeds increased approximately 0.9 mph for every 500 ft of school zone length. Findings from the analysis and discussions with practitioners were used to develop guidelines for traffic control devices, including school speed zones, near schools in Texas. The guidelines were designed to serve as a supplement to the "Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and the manual "Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones." This paper focuses on the findings from the field studies and presents suggestions concerning school traffic control devices.

01164843

10-0166

English

pp 1-10

2010

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309142809

Print

Figures (4) ; Photos (3) ; References (10) ; Tables (4)

Field studies; Guidelines; Highway operations; School safety; Schools; Speed zones; Traffic control devices

Texas

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 25 2010 10:08AM

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• Do Pedestrian Countdown Signals Influence Vehicle Speeds?
• Effects of Dynamically Activated Emergency Vehicle Warning Sign on Driver Behavior at Urban Intersections
• Evaluating Innovative Ideas in Pedestrian Signing for Temporary Traffic Control
• Evaluation of Effectiveness of Converging Chevron Pavement Markings in Reducing Speed on Freeway Ramps
• Guidance on Design and Application of Rumble Strips
• Perceptual Measures to Influence Operating Speeds and Reduce Crashes at Rural Intersections: Driving Simulator Experiment
• Protected–Permissive Left-Turn Signal Control Mode: New Analytical Approach to Estimate Operational Benefit and Safety Cost
• Quantifying the Public Impacts of Highway–Rail Grade Crossings on Surface Mobility: Regional Impact Model
• Relative Visibility of Internally Versus Externally Illuminated On-Premise Signs
• Speed Reduction Profiles Affecting Vehicle Interactions at Level Crossings with No Trains