ARTERIAL ROAD SPEED SURVEY

The arterial road speed survey was undertaken: 1) to determine speed characteristics on multi-laned arterial roads with differing speed limits; 2) to compare speed characteristics to existing speed limits; and 3) to comment on the appropriateness of existing speed limits. From the survey it appears that the speed characteristics associated with the 60 km/h limit are more appropriate to a 75 km/h limit and speed characteristics associated with a 75 km/h limit are more appropriate to a 90 km/h limit. Those for the 90 km/h limit are compatible with that limit. It is concluded that this survey has provided prima facie evidence to support the increase in speed limits on divided arterial roads from 60 km/h to 75 km/h and 75 km/h to 90 km/h. Arterial roads with a limit of 90 km/h should remain at the present limit. It is believed that such an increase: 1) is compatible with the motorists' expectations of higher speed limits on improved standard roads; 2) is compatible with the existing speed behaviour on these roads as determined by the 85th percentile speed; and 3) reduces the need for police enforcement thus allowing police the opportunity to concentrate on a minority of motorists travelling at significantly higher speeds associated with increased accident risk. A simple analysis of accidents on limited lengths of divided arterial road in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne shows that there should not be an increase in the number of accidents as it illustrates that there is no significant difference between the accident rates related to each speed limit.