This report estimates the safety effects of raising the speed limit for buses on motorways from 80 km/h to 100 km/h. For comparison purposes, the nearby situation in which the 100 km/h speed limiter will be fully implemented, is taken into account. The report performs the analysis, from the following three points of view: (1) effects of raising the limit on speed behaviour; (2) effects of increased speeds on both accidents and on accident severity; and (3) ways of compensating for increased injury risks. The following conclusions are made: (i) Speed effects of a limit raise from 80 km/h to 100 km/h will be minor; (ii) Increased speeds will cause partially positive and partially negative effects; and (iii) negative effects; and (iii) negative effects can be, to some extent, compensated for by means of increased vehicle safety standards. A speed limit raise should not be applied to all buses, but should be accompanied with specified vehicle and safety requirements. (A)
Samenvatting