This study aims to provide a comprehensive description and analysis of the new speed limit system in Sweden on the basis of decision-makers perspective on regional and municipal levels for Stage 2 of the implementation process. The study focuses on the regional perspective and assesses regional impacts of changes in speed limits on national roads outside urban areas. To obtain the data sets needed to describe and analyse decision makers', in different regions of Sweden, views on the new speed limit system, qualitative interviews was selected as the method. The interview responses show that the implementation process in Stage 2 has been developed and improved in comparison with the corresponding process in Stage 1. The better link that many stakeholders called for between changing speed limits and measures in the investment planning has been improved during Stage 2. The Transport Administration has in the proposals for reduced speed limits indicated which deficiencies in road design justifying the lowered speed limit, and what steps need to be taken to remain at the current level. However, many respondents still believe that the Transport Administration does not sufficiently take into account that at the regional level, the issue of speed limits to a great extent is a politically charged issue caused by the assumed relationship between speed, accessibility, travel times and regional development. Regional associations, municipalities, counties, etc. need time to anchor political issues and allow politicians to get the time to familiarize themselves with the changes and take clear political decisions and positions in political assemblies of boards and committees on the issue of changing speed limits Finally, there is of course an urgent need to follow up the actual consequences of the initiated changes in speed limits. Much of the interview responses are based on the expected consequences of the changes themselves, and supposed links between hosts of other factors. It is therefore important to get the answers to the effects that actually occurred after the initiated changes, and how these effects relate to the objectives set out for what the new speed limit system should be able to accomplish. This view is also promoted by many respondents in the study. It would obviously be a good thing if one for the argumentation so important causal chain, the relationship between speed limits, actual speed, travel times and regional development, could be based on better knowledge than is the case in the current situation. (Author/publisher) This report may be accessed by Internet users at http://www.vti.se/en/publications/the-new-speed-limit-system--regional-…
Abstract