5. Countermeasures

This section serves to support decision making when considering speed-related traffic calming countermeasures in rural communities. The information is focused on slowing traffic at the community transition zones and town centers, as well as along other rural commuter corridors through town.

4. Setting Transition Zones

The purpose of transition zones is to reduce speeds incrementally before a vehicle enters a rural community. In order to ensure a high rate of motorist compliance with the intended role of these zones, it is critical to have transition zones that are properly designed with realistic and clearly-posted speed limits. It was noted by Hallmark et al. (2007) that many rural communities set transition zones that either extend much farther past the community limits than are needed, or set transition zone speeds which are otherwise inconsistent with the physical characteristics of the roadway.

3. Collecting/Analyzing Speed and Crash Data

The need for speed management is generally determined by reviewing actual speeds and crash histories, as well as road user needs. Speed studies also assist in setting or modifying speed limits. Speed and crash information support quantifying the impact of installed countermeasures or practices. This chapter discusses speed and crash studies that are applicable to rural communities at both the transition zones and in town center areas.

2. Speed Management Planning

1. Introduction

Speeding is a persistent issue faced by all transportation agencies trying to balance mobility and safety in their communities. Rural communities often exist along state highways and county roads with the daily traffic providing both positive economic benefits and potential safety and livability concerns due to speeding.

Speed Management ePrimer for Rural Transition Zones and Town Centers

This Speed Management ePrimer for Rural Transition Zones and Town Centers is a free, online resource openly available for public use. The ePrimer presents a review of speeding-related safety issues facing rural communities, along with the basic elements required for data collection, information processing, and countermeasure selection by rural transportation professionals and community decision-makers. The ePrimer is presented in six distinct modules developed to allow the reader to move between each to find the desired information, without a cover-to-cover reading.

Long-Term Effectiveness of Dynamic Speed Monitoring Displays (DSMD) for Speed Management at Speed Limit Transitions

Pilot Test Of Heed The Speed, A Program To Reduce Speeds In Residential Neighborhoods

Appendix C: Speed Management Resources

There are a number of speed management resources and examples of agency practices available for practitioners. Information summarized during the course of the project was summarized in five general areas including the following:

Appendix B: Summary of Activities

Stakeholder meeting in Arlington, VA. Image Source: Niloo Parvinashtiani