This report documents the effects on vehicle speeds of trials of special school speed zoning using fixed time signs at one supervised flagged school crossing on a residential street in December 1992 and March to May 1993. The fixed signs included the hours and days of operation, but did not include any devices to increase conspicuity. Operation of the supervised school crossing in conjunction with a 40 km/h part-time school speed zone in a normal 60 km/h speed zone showed no significant changes of mean vehicle free speeds as compared with normal operation of the supervised school crossing in the 60 km/h speed zone. These were in 15 minute periods of single direction traffic. The fixed time school speed signs appeared to be ignored. Operation of the school crossing and the congestion in the street around the crossing with parents' cars dropping off or picking up schoolchildren had more effect on slowing traffic than the school speed zone signs. Fixed time school speed zones signs should not be used for school speed zones at this time, even with conspicuity devices. Future trials may confirm the reported effectiveness overseas of flashing beacons (at greater cost) with fixed signs and electronic time clock controllers.
Abstract