TRAFFIC SPEED TRENDS

This report is a summary of data collected by 41 states in 1974 on traffic speeds after the 55 mph speed limit went into effect. Tables show that there was a decrease in speeds: the average speed for all vehicles on main rural roads was 5 mph less (55.3 mph) than in 1973. It is shown that at least 50 percent of vehicles on main rural roads exceeded the 55 mph speed limit in most of the states, but only 21 percent were over 60 mph, as opposed to 50 percent in 1973. The average speed in Central and Western regions was found to be 2 mph faster, compared with the previous 5 mph, than in the Eastern region. Free-flowing speeds on sections of the Interstate System averaged 57.6 mph, dropping 7.4 mph in 1973, with the percent of vehicles exceeding the speed limit dropping from 89 to 65 percent.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1975-3-26

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data tables; Graphics; Motor vehicles; Rural highways; Speed; Speed limits; Studies; Traffic speed
• Identifier Terms: Interstate Highway System
• Uncontrolled Terms: Graphical analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Speed studies
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00096061
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 2 1975 12:00AM