SPEED MANAGEMENT AS PART OF AREA ACCIDENT REDUCTION PLANS

Allied Transportation has produced accident prevention proposals in a variety of locations and environments in the UK, ranging from accident black spots to much safer roads. In its studies, the reduction of accident rates and casualties are the main objectives, but solutions which manage speed have been proposed at the most problematic sites. Measures include: traffic calming; education, training, and publicity (ETP); and enforcement campaigns. This paper discusses schemes where the speed limit was altered in three specific areas under the jurisdiction of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in England: (1) a city residential area; (2) an urban/suburban residential area on both sides of a radial route with heavy traffic; and (3) a predominantly rural area with small towns and villages. The benefits of speed limit reduction as a policy are discussed in relation to its coverage, cost, popularity, consistency, and environmental effects. Its disadvantages and limitations are discussed with respect to environmental effects, enforcement, effectiveness, and consistency. Conclusions reached include the following. Area accident reduction plans (ARPs) are better than isolated accident remedial schemes, but are long and need tight controls. Speed management has proved invaluable in achieving the aims of these area ARPs. For the covering abstract see IRRD E100685.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00764385
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: May 28 1999 12:00AM