The Transportation and Traffic Division of the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Public Works has commissioned the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research to study the effect of the introduction of 30 km/h zones in fifteen areas spread throughout the Netherlands. This report reviews the developments that have led to the institution of 30 km/h zones. It also presents the basic classification principles for speed-restricting engineering measures and the design of the study into the effect of 30 km/h zones. In almost all cases the speed of through traffic was reduced due to the introduction of 30 km/h zones. The variation in the range of this effect appears to be enormous, both per area and per type of engineering measure. The most profound effect is generally achieved with the most physical measures, such as road humps. It also appears that the introduction of 30 km/h zones caused a reduction in the volume of through traffic. Residents were in favour of these changes.
Abstract