The Ministry of Transport and Public Works Working Group `Driving speed' was commissioned to perform an exploration into a desirable speed limit per road category. For this purpose propositions are made for a classification system with accompanying speed limits for the road network in The Netherlands, within built-up areas as well as outside built-up areas. The SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research was commissioned to comment these propositions. The classification presented of the Dutch road network is based on: (1) a distinction between location in a rural area or in a urban area, and (2) a hierarchy of four road categories based on the functions for traffic flow and accessibility. Considerations accessibility. Considerations concerning accessibility and safety are the central point. Environmental aspects, however, are given lesser attention.
Abstract