How Can the Reduction in Speed From 90 KM/H to 80 KM/H on French Roads Be Assessed?

On 1 July 2018, the French government lowered the maximum permitted speed on two-lane, two-way roads without a central delineator, from 90 km/h to 80 km/h. The decision was taken on 9 January 2018, less than 6 months before implementation. The Centre for Studies on Risks, Environment, Mobility and Urban Planning (Centre d’études et d’expertise sur les risques, l’environnement, la mobilité et l’aménagement - Cerema) was commissioned by the Delegation for Road Safety to carry out an assessment of this measure. The purpose of this article is to present the methodology designed to assess this measure, in the light of the objectives set and also of the imperatives imposed by its specific features: the speed at which it was implemented and the scope concerned. A reminder of the French road safety context is used to present the objective to which this measure aims to respond, which is to decrease the number of road deaths by reducing speeds on two-way roads. A review of the international literature supports these objectives, showing as it does that a reduction in the maximum permitted speed leads to a reduction in drivers’ speeds and a lower risk of accidents. The methodology used aims to monitor changes in speeds and in the accident rate. It also analyses the impacts of this measure, particularly in terms of changes in acceptability, variations in travel time and effects on the environment. Initial data are available 6 months after the measure was implemented. Both in terms of speed and the number deaths, a disruption can be identified from July 2018 onwards. However, the results of the assessment will be reported only after the two years of the study.

• Record URL:
  https://pre-proceedings-abudhabi2019.piarc.org/ressources/files/5/IP0442-Millot-E-Full-Amended.pdf
• 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:
  • Millot, M
  • Le Lez, C
  • Violette, E
  • Duchamp, G
  • Mompart, N
  • Eyssartier, C
  • Buttignol, V
  • Chaumontet, R
• Conference:
  • 26th World Road Congress
  • Location: Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
  • Date: 2019-10-6 to 2019-10-10
• Publication Date: 2019

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 26th World Road Congress - Abu Dhabi - 2019: Connecting Cultures - Enabling Economies

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashes; Data analysis; Environmental impacts; Highway safety; Implementation; Methodology; Risk assessment; Speed control; Speed limits; Travel time; Two lane highways
• Geographic Terms: France
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01761574
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 29 2020 10:44AM