PRACTICAL WORKING OUT OF 30 KM/HOUR AS A GENERAL SPEED LIMIT WITHIN THE BUILT-UP AREA . CONFERENCE PAPERS ON THE WORKING DAYS ON TRAFFIC ENGINEERING 1989

Some people, for example those within the Dutch pedestrian association, want to obtain a general speed limit of 30 km/hr within built up areas. The problems associated with this are: (a) upon which roads (in principle only through roads) can the speed limit remain higher than this; and (B) how it can be made clear to road users which speed limit is in force on any particular road. It is suggested in this paper that a speed limit of 50 km/hour should be enforced upon major roads (i.e. The one upon which has priority). The traffic rules and signs regulators should specify that within built up areas the speed limit on major roads is 50 km/hour and on all other roads it is 30 km/hour unless otherwise indicated by signs. This would save a vast increase in signs as well as enforcing a two tier urban speed limit system. This paper puts forward arguments that advocate such a system and also discusses other aspects relating to the problem such as safety, legislation and public acceptance. A case is advocated for making through roads the only major roads in principle. (TRRL)