This project has been funded by Austroads to develop, trial and evaluate a new system for setting speed limits based on harm reduction principles. This first, feasibility stage of the project has consisted of three main tasks: 1. a literature review has been conducted; 2. an Expert Group has been brought together, to consider the findings from the literature review and to advise on the best options for developing speed limits based more fully on harm reduction principles; 3. the information obtained from the literature review and from the Expert Group, has been used to describe a model for setting speed limits based more fully on harm reduction principles. This report presents the findings arising from these three tasks. In particular, the broad support from jurisdictions for a new speed setting method based more firmly on safety considerations, has led to a recommended approach combining economic optimisation and harm reduction considerations. (Author/publisher)
Abstract