Synthesis of Safety Research Related to
Speed and Speed Management


PUBLICATION NO. FHWA-RD-98-154
July 1998


prepared by

Jack Stuster
Zail Coffman

Anacapa Sciences, Inc.
PO Box 519
Santa Barbara, CA

and

Davey Warren

Safety Design Division, HSR-20
Federal Highway Administration



Sponsored by

Office of Safety and Traffic Operations R&D
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296

and

Office of Traffic Injury Control Programs
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590


Contract No. DTFH61-96-P-00521




NOTICE: This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government asumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. The report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

SPEED-SAFETY RELATIONSHIPS
  Speed and the Incidence of Crashes
  Speed and the Severity of Crashes

FACTORS INFLUENCING SPEED
  Driver Attitudes and Behavior
  Road Characteristics
  Environmental Conditions

SPEED LIMITS AND SPEEDS

SPEED LIMITS AND SAFETY

ENFORCEMENT
  Mobile Patrol Vehicles
  Stationary Patrol Vehicles
  Aerial Enforcement
  Radar and Laser Speed-Monitoring Equipment
  Automated Enforcement
  Drone Radar
  Speed Feedback Indicators
  Public Information and Education
  Traffic Enforcement Notification Signs
  Impact on Crime

ENGINEERING MEASURES
The Effects of Traffic Calming

SUMMARY

REFERENCES


ABSTRACT
This report presents a synthesis of research findings on the safety effects of speed, speed limits, enforcement, and engineering measures to manage speed.

The report updates a similar synthesis published in 1982. A great deal of speed related research has been carried out since that time. This synthesis highlights the results of significant safety research related to speed completed since the last update. Some of the earlier benchmark studies are incorporated where appropriate.

The report is a product of the FHWA-NHTSA Speed Management Team.