What steps does speed management consist of?

Step 1: Determine what speed limit is safe
What speed is safe (Table 1 in the question How great is the effect of speed on road safety?) mainly depends on traffic mix and conflict types: does heavy motorised traffic have to mix with much lighter and unprotected road users (pedestrians, (light) moped riders and cyclists), and what kind of conflicts may occur (transverse conflicts, frontal conflicts). The obstacle-free zone and stopping sight also affect safe speeds.

Step 2: Ensure the limit is credible
Credible means that the limit should meet the expectations raised by the appearance of the road, and is thus considered logical, so that drivers are more inclined to comply with the limit. Certain road characteristics (see Table 2 in the question What are safe speeds?) may also make safe limits credible.

Step 3: Provide appropriate information about the local limit
Information about the local speed limit is mostly provided by traffic signs. However, in the Netherlands, general limits are not indicated by traffic signs: road users are supposed to know about them. The speed limit is sometimes also provided by hectometre posts. And increasingly, limits are displayed in the vehicle.

Step 4: Where necessary, deploy physical speed reduction measures
Where necessary (for example near schools, at pedestrian and bicycle crossings, at-grade intersections), physical speed reduction measures help drivers reduce speed: speed humps, road narrowing, raised intersections or roundabouts. The location of the speed reduction measure must be logical and its dimensions must be in line with the intended speed (see [29]) for example).

Step 5: Deploy traffic enforcement as a complementary measure
We may assume that the four previous steps will prevent many speeding offences. But, since drivers will ultimately determine their own speed, speeding offences will always occur. That is why enforcement, focusing on both general deterrence and prevention will still be necessary (see SWOV fact sheet Traffic enforcement). 

Step 6: Support by education and publicity campaigns
In support of the previous steps, education and publicity campaigns can be used to explain deployment of speed reduction measures and enforcement, and make people aware of the risk of driving (too) fast. The main objective is problem awareness and acceptance of the measures. Immediate effects on behaviour are hard to achieve by means of education and publicity campaigns only [30] [31].