PROS AND CONS OF SPEED LIMITS ON GERMAN MOTORWAYS

The controversial discussions during the last few years in the Federal republic of Germany about the advantages and disadvantages of a speed limit of 100 km/h on German motorways in order to protect woodlands from air pollution has led to a comprehensive study at the technical university darmstadt, in which 22 criteria were investigated. A simple procedure was used to evaluate the mutual effects of speed limits of 100 km/h, 120 km/h and 130 km/h compared with the "recommended speed" of 130 km/h now in effect. Of course, an "optimum speed limit" cannot be determined scientifically. But a speed limit of 120 km/h has more advantages than disadvantages, if compared with other speed limits and with the present situation (no speed limit). A speed limit of 120 km/h seems to be a good compromise. It is suitable for comfortable cars and for high standard motorways; it increases safety; it protects the environment against the adverse effects of car traffic; it does not cause serious economical disadvantages -not even for the German automobile industry -and it may fundamentally amend the principle attitude of drivers when using cars and when choosing the appropriate desired speed. Until now, the German government has rejected any proposal for introducing a speed limit on motorways, and, the Federal republic of Germany is still the only country in Europe without a speed limit on motorways.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03861112
• Corporate Authors:

  International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences

  6-20, Yaesu 2-chome, Chuo-ku
  Tokyo 104-0028,   Japan 
• Authors:
  • Retzko, H G
• Publication Date: 1988

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 29-33
• Serial:
  • IATSS Research
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences
  • ISSN: 0386-1112

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Environment; Freeways; Modal split; Safety; Speed limits; Traffic flow; Travel time; Trip length
• Geographic Terms: Germany
• ITRD Terms: 1394: Catalytic converter; 2455: Environment; 8125: Germany; 697: Journey time; 675: Modal split; 2752: Motorway; 1665: Safety; 624: Speed limit; 671: Traffic flow
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00498930
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM