TRAFFIC SPEEDS FOLLOWING REPEAL OF THE NATIONAL MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT

The repeal of the national maximum speed limit law in November 1995 has allowed states to set their own maximum speed limits for the first time since 1974. While the basis for the original national maximum speed limit was fuel conservation, the law generated safety benefits as well. This paper presents preliminary results of analyses of traffic speed data derived from a sample of freeways and interstate highways, both urban and rural, measured before and after termination of the national maximum speed limit and subsequent posting of higher speed limits in December 1995. Traffic speed data were analyzed in terms of mean speed, standard deviation, selected percentile values, and the proportion of vehicles exceeding various speeds. Data from tripod-mounted photo radar and undetectable K-band radar are presented. The results of the research are discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/614107147
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Retting, R A
  • Greene, M A
• Publication Date: 1997-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 42-46
• Serial:
  • ITE Journal
  • Volume: 67
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
  • ISSN: 0162-8178
  • Serial URL: https://www.ite.org/publications/ite-journal/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Highway safety; Repeal; Research; Speed limits; State government; Traffic speed
• Identifier Terms: National Maximum Speed Limit
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Research; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00737538
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 10 1997 12:00AM