This report documents a study examining the relative effectiveness of different sign types in slowing traffic from high speed (100 km/h) to low speed (60 km/h) at the approaches to rural towns. The sign types tested were an 80 km/h sign, an advance warning sign and different sized 60 km/h signs. Statistical analysis of the speeds of 250 vehicles was carried out using Friedman two way analysis of variance by ranks. The conclusions of the study were that, at the sites studied: an advance warning sign or buffer zone slowed traffic by a significantly greater amount than a 60 km/h sign only; there was no statistically significant difference in vehicle speeds measured when an 80 km/h buffer zone was installed compared to when an advance warning sign was erected; and 80 km/h buffer zones were largely ignored with a large percentage of vehicles exceeding 80 km/h within the zone. The major recommendations were that: an advance warning sign should be the preferred alternative in cases where there is no requirement for a speed limit of 80 km/h; where 80 km/h buffer zones are used, consideration should be given to installing a split 80 km/h zone on the approach side only. (A) The ISBN of the microfiche version is 0-86910-611-2.
Abstract