A follow up evaluation of the 50km/h default urban speed limit in South Australia

In 2003 the default urban speed limit (DUSL) in South Australia was lowered from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. An initial evaluation one year after the change showed that vehicle speeds and crashes had reduced on local roads with the 50 km/h limit and also on arterial roads that were signposted at 60 km/h. This paper reports the results of a follow up evaluation three years after the DUSL was introduced. Vehicles speeds were measured at the same 52 randomly chosen sites across the State. On-road speeds just before the default limit was introduced were compared with speeds measured one and three years later. Crash data was analysed by examining the crash history of all roads with a 50 km/h or 60 km/h speed limit, three years before and after the new DUSL was introduced. The study found that, on average, mean speeds had fallen by approximately 3.8 km/h on streets where the speed limit was reduced and by 2.1 km/h on arterial roads where 60 km/h speed limit signs were erected. There was a 23 per cent reduction in casualty crashes on 50 km/h roads and a corresponding 16 per cent reduction on 60 km/h arterial roads.

Record URL:
Authors:
- Kloeden, C
- Woolley, J
- McLean, J
Conference:
- Australasian Road Safety Research Policing Education Conference, 2007, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Publication Date: 2007-10

Language

English

Media Info

Pagination: 12p

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Crash analysis; Crash rates; Highway safety; Speed limits; Urban areas
Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (engineering and vehicles); Road safety (human factors)
Geographic Terms: South Australia
ATRI Terms: Before and after study; Crash analysis; Crash rate; Road safety; Speed limit; Urban area
Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01387448
Record Type: Publication
Source Agency: ARRB
Files: ATRI
Created Date: Aug 22 2012 10:26PM