For over 40 years, speed limits have been calculated in New Zealand using a model based on the number and types of developments. This means undeveloped roads in rural areas where road environment factors create a low speed environment can not have a lower speed limit. The default 100 kilometres per hour rural speed limit applies. Unfortunately, some drivers still drive too fast, either intentionally or misreading the road environment, and so crashes occur. To counter this problem, some road controlling authorities in New Zealand have requested the ability to set speed limits in these rural, lower speed environments. This paper looks at the proposed policy and processes for speed zoning in New Zealand. The three important aspects are: determining whether speed zoning is appropriate for a road; determining the best speed limit based on the 85th percentile speeds; and calculating the best speed limit based on the actual risk of a speed related crash. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E213531.
Samenvatting