Guidelines for setting speed limits

Abstract

A method is described for setting the speed limit for a particular road section. Several speed limits based on different criteria are described for each of nine traffic and road factors. The most appropriate speed limit for each relevant factor is selected, and the lowest of them is used to set the speed limit for the road section. The factors to be considered concern aspects such as the eighty fifth (85th) percentile speed, accident rate, stopping sight-distance, pedestrian and pedal cycle movements, parking and loading manoeuvres, access to bounding properties, intersections, width of road without central median and clear roadside area. The method should result in greater uniformity in speed limits for similar circumstances as set by different authorities.