In 1995 the Municipality of Gladsaxe in the Copenhagen area received financial contribution from the Danish Traffic Fund to carry out a pilot project regarding low speed limits on local roads (speed zones). The Municipality of Gladsaxe is a residential suburb located about 10 km from the centre of Copenhagen. Gladsaxe has a total area of 25 km2, and around 61.500 inhabitants. It is one of the ten largest municipalities in Denmark. The project was divided into two parts: Producing a Speed Management Plan for the Municipality of Gladsaxe and establishing speed-zones in the Moerkhoej area with speed limits of 40 km/h and 30 km/h. The aim of the project in Moerkhoej was to improve traffic conditions by: (1) lowering car speeds; (2) increase safety; (3) increase the amount of light road users; and (4) increase the inhabitants' sense of responsibility towards road safety by involving them and giving them influence. The objective was to obtain a 30 per cent decrease in traffic injuries; 20 per cent decrease in the average speed; and 5 per cent increase of cyclists. The evaluation consisted of: (1) effect on speed levels; (2) effect on number of bicycles; (3) public opinion; and (4) effect on accidents. Traffic speeds were measured before the project started, six months after changes were completed and again after two years had passed. In the accident analyses the reduction in accidents in Moerkhoej is compared with the reduction in accidents in the Gladsaxe municipality and in Denmark. It shows that accidents in Denmark had decreased by 12 per cent in the after period than the before period. In the Gladsaxe municipality the reduction in accidents was 49 per cent and in the Moerkhoej area the reduction was 94 per cent! It is safe to say that the speed zone in the Moerkhoej area has meant a significant reduction in the number of accidents. In view of the results the town council decided in 2000 that the remainder of the speed management plan for the entire Gladsaxe Municipality should be implemented. The Road Directorate has given a financial contribution from the Road Fund to the establishment of similar zones in the entire municipality. The plan was implemented autumn 2000 and covers a total road length of approx 100 km. The new project consists of approx 55 circular speed humps and 200 zone signs. The project will contribute to achieving the overall objective ¡ a reduction in the number of people killed and injured in road accidents. The first results are expected to be published next year. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD no 207828. The reprints are also available at the web - http://www.vti.se/pdf/reports/K18APart1.pdf; http://www.vti.se/pdf/reports/K18APart2.pdf and http://www.vti.se/pdf/reports/K18APart3.pdf.
Abstract