SOME INNOVATIONS IN RURAL SAFETY

Conventional traffic calming and speed limits are often ineffective or inappropriate in rural areas. This paper describes some new approaches to rural speed management, including UK trials of interactive signs and of new ways of influencing driver behaviour. The results of both these approaches are encouraging. A research partnership has been developed between Norfolk County Council and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to explore different methods of rural speed management. In 1992, a trial on a trunk road in Scole, Norfolk, used an interactive sign displaying a coloured speed limit roundel. Following its success, trials were conducted at several other Norfolk villages a few years later. The empirical evidence from these before-and-after studies enabled the TRL to develop simple predictive models for speed reduction. The local communities responded very well to the signs. Interactive signs also gave statistically significant 6mph speed reductions, with better safety, at Felbrigg Bend and Felthorpe Junction in Norfolk. A scheme at Sharston in Norfolk influenced driver behaviour by enhancing perception of the total road environment through a 'self-explaining' road design; it grew from detailed discussions with local residents. It attempted to balance adequate traffic management with improvements to the village's road environment through a package of measures.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02656868
• Corporate Authors:

  INSTITUTION OF HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

  6 ENDSLEIGH STREET
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  WC1H 0DZ
• Authors:
  • Shaw, M
  • MAYHEW, N
• Publication Date: 2000-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 15-8
• Serial:
  • HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION
  • Publisher: INSTITUTION OF HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION
  • ISSN: 0265-6868

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Behavior; Drivers; Highways; Local government agencies; Policy; Prevention; Public participation; Rural areas; Safety; Speed; Speed limits; Tests; Traffic control; Traffic restraint; Traffic signs
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 9148: Before and after study; 9001: Behaviour; 1772: Driver; 2755: Highway; 192: Local authority; 173: Policy; 142: Public participation; 328: Rural area; 5408: Speed; 624: Speed limit; 6255: Test; 654: Traffic control; 633: Traffic restraint; 553: Traffic sign; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00795147
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 7 2000 12:00AM