VEHICLE SPEEDS IN SCHOOL ZONES

The School Zone Safety Act was passed by the 1996 Washington Legislature and directed the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to develop and implement programs to improve safety in school zones. In response to the Act, a study was conducted to answer two questions: do drivers slow down for children in school zones, and what factors affect vehicle speeds in school zones during times of school zone activity. The posted speed limit in school zones is 20 mph (32 kph), and there are various types of signs in use at different schools that inform drivers of the school zone speed limit. The study was designed to examine the effect of different types of school zone speed limit signs and the effect of different approach speed limits. Vehicle speed data were obtained using pneumatic-tube speed measurement devices that were placed in the road in front of 40 elementary schools. The speed data were analyzed for 30-minute critical time periods before the start of the school day and after the close of school. Overall, the findings of the study showed that the majority of vehicles do comply with the speed limit in school zones. However, a significant percentage of vehicles were measured at higher speeds, i.e., above 35 mph (56 kph). About 12% were exceeding the school zone speed limit by 15 mph (24 kph) or more, and 4% of these vehicles were travelling faster than 40 mph (64 kph). Vehicles travelling at higher speeds pose a substantial risk of injury to children who are using school crosswalks or are in proximity to traffic while going to or leaving school. When the data were analyzed by the type of school zone sign and the speed limit approaching the schools, a different pattern of results emerged. Schools situated on roads with 25 mph (40 kph) approach speed limits were associated with much slower vehicle speeds; less than 5% exceeded 35 mph (56 kph). In addition, the type of school zone sign had no effect on vehicle speeds when the approach speed limit was 25 mph (40 kph). These schools were located predominately in residential neighborhoods and on non-arterial streets. School zones with faster approach speed limits [30-40 mph (48-64 kph)] were associated with substantially higher speeds through the school zone. Up to 30% of the vehicles exceeded 35 mph (56 kph) during the 1/2 hour critical time periods. However, "flashing light" school zone signs were effective in slowing vehicles to about the same speeds as schools with 25 mph (40 kph) approach speed limits. Schools with "flashing light" signs had average speeds 5-7 mph (8-11 kph) slower than schools with other types of signs.

• Corporate Authors:

  Washington Traffic Safety Commission

  1000 South Cherry Street
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504
• Authors:
  • Saibel, C
  • Doane, R
  • Moffat, J
  • Salzberg, P
• Publication Date: 1998-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: 16 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Approach; Behavior; Design; Drivers; Field studies; Flashing traffic signals; Schools; Signs; Speed; Speed limits; Speeding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Sign design
• Geographic Terms: Washington (State)
• Old TRIS Terms: Approach speed
• Subject Areas: Design; Education and Training; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00756314
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 30 1998 12:00AM