01558184

Component

Studies have shown that speed zoning often is considered a cure-all for crashes and other traffic-related problems. While establishing speed zones, a realistic speed limit should be determined and used. If not, it can result in an increased number of crashes as well as requests from the public to decrease speed limits. A proper guideline is required to ensure consistent speed limits, reduce differential speeds, and defend against public requests to reduce the speed limits arbitrarily. This paper reviews the literature on speed, crashes, enforcement techniques, and speed zone manuals. In addition, a nationwide semi-mixed-mode questionnaire survey was conducted to identify best practices for establishing speed zones. Consequently, traffic engineers from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) were interviewed in order to provide recommendations for preparing the guidelines. This paper presents a six-step framework for establishing speed zones, based on results from the literature review, survey, and interviews; it provides relevant studies that support the processes. Recommendations for future research are based on a critical evaluation of state DOTs manuals that are currently available. Specifically, this study identified a lack of research and documentation about detailed design of speed zones. The findings and the recommendations provided in this paper can be used to develop a proper speed-zone manual by state DOTs and transportation agencies across the United States.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB40 Traffic Law Enforcement.

01550057

15-4986

English

16p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Best practices; Guidelines; Speed limits; Speed zones; Traffic safety

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-4986

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 1:40PM