THE EFFECT OF MOTORWAY SIGNALS ON TRAFFIC SPEED

The effect on vehicle speed of advisory speed indications shown on motorway signals has been measured at two sites on the M1 motorway. On an urban section of the motorway at scratchwood in n London, measurements were made of vehicle speeds before and after a set of signals mounted over the carriageway on a gantry. The signals were set to show an advisory speed of 50 mile/h. Control measurements were also made with the signals switched off. The average speed of light vehicles in the right-hand lane was reduced from about 78 mile/h to 71 mile/h (9 per cent); in the centre lane from about 69 to 63 mile/h (7.5 per cent); and in the left-hand lane from about 57 to 55 mile/h (4 per cent). Similar measurements were made on a rural section of the motorway at newport pagnell where the single signals are mounted on posts in the central reservation. The average speeds of light vehicles in the right-hand lane was reduced from about 77 mile/h to 69.5 mile/h (9.5 per cent); in the centre lane from about 68 to 63 mile/h (7 per cent); and in the left-hand lane from about 55 to 52 mile/h (5 per cent). At both sites downstream from the measurement sections, the fast lane was closed for maintenance work. Drivers could not see the temporary signing or the closed lane from the measurement sections, so the speed changes measured would be in response to the signal indications.(a) /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • LINES, C J
• Publication Date: 1978

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Drivers; Freeways; Measurement; Medians; Motor vehicles; Overhead traffic signs; Public opinion; Rural areas; Speed; Speed limits; Support poles; Traffic lanes; Traffic signals; Traffic signs; Traffic speed; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Decreases
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 2914: Central reserve; 9009: Decrease; 1772: Driver; 6136: Measurement; 2752: Motorway; 511: Overhead traffic sign; 3312: Pole; 5408: Speed; 624: Speed limit; 565: Traffic signal; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Society; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00184413
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRRL Rpt. SR 363 Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 13 1979 12:00AM