Standardisation of speed limits on country roads - pros and cons on the basis of Austrian experiences

In Austria, the national speed limit on single carriageways outside built-up areas is 100 km/h (62 mph). Given this high general speed limit – like the corresponding German limit. it is the highest in Europe – compared to other similar countries, it is quite frequently necessary to restrict speed with the help of road signs for safety and environmental reasons. Approximately one fourth of the length of the respective roads is affected. The limits set by road signs vary considerably depending on the situation (80, 70 or 60 km/h, sometimes less) and most of the time they only apply to short road sections. Therefore car drivers may be confronted with a "barrage" of quickly changing speed limits. Since 1997 the region of Salzburg has followed a different strategy. Within the framework of a "50/80/100 limit rule" on most country roads speed limits have been standardised so that in addition to the national limit there are only 80 km/h or 50 km/h limits (the latter is the general limit in built-up areas). The guiding principle is the desire to make it easier for drivers to be aware of an individual speed limit and obey it. This was meant to improve "safety, traffic flow and ease of driving" as requested by the Austrian road traffic regulations. So far, research studies do not indicate any statistically significant change in safety as well as speed behaviour. This is not surprising because the standardisation led to lower limits in some places and to higher ones in others. Within the framework of a recently completed research project further issues were addressed with the help of focus groups and interviews with car drivers: Have car drivers in the Salzburg region noticed the new strategy? How does it affect the acceptance and awareness of speed limits? Does it have a positive impact upon the willingness to obey speed limits? What do drivers think of the standardisation? The paper describes advantages and disadvantages of a determined standardisation of speed limits. Since there are plans to extend the strategy to encompass other regions or even the whole country, the suitability of the limits chosen for the standardisation is critically analysed. Various pros and cons are considered which might impact the legal framework, e.g. the road capacity, or the drivers' attitudes and acceptance, as well as the suitability in certain critical areas, e.g. road junctions regulated by traffic lights or tunnels.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/13949-en-Proceedings%20of%20the%20XXIVth%20World%20Road%20Congress,%20Mexico%20-%202011.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the World Road Association – PIARC.
• Corporate Authors:

  World Road Association (PIARC)

  La Grande Arche, Paroi Nord, Niveau 5
  F-92055 La Defense Cedex,   France 
• Authors:
  • Berger, W
  • Stark, J
• Conference:
  • 24th World Road Congress
  • Location: Mexico City , Mexico
  • Date: 2011-9-26 to 2011-9-30
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 14p
• Monograph Title: 24th World Road Congress Proceedings: Roads for a Better Life: Mobility, Sustainability and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceptance; Alternatives analysis; Rural highways; Speed limits; Standardization
• Geographic Terms: Austria
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01502676
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 2840602679
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 30 2013 11:06AM