Framework Development of Speed Zone Guidelines Based on Current Best Practices
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.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB40 Traffic Law Enforcement.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Shrestha, Krishna Prasad
- Shrestha, Pramen Prasad
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2015-1-11 to 2015-1-15
- Date: 2015
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 16p
- Monograph Title: TRB 94th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Best practices; Guidelines; Speed limits; Speed zones; Traffic safety
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01558184
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 15-4986
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 30 2015 9:33AM