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Paper Title:
The Effect on Vehicle
Speeds of Electronically-Signed Part-Time Speed Limits Outside Schools
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Authors:
Wayne Osmers
Abstract:
In January 2000 the Christchurch
City Council and Transit New Zealand installed trial 'School Zones'
with part-time 40 km/hr speed limits outside five primary or intermediate
schools in Christchurch. The schools were chosen to enable the 'School
Zones' to be evaluated in a wide range of road environments and
school crossing types.
Most of the signs for
the zones are permanently displayed fluoro signs but there are also
40 km/hr speed limits imposed by electronically operated, illuminated
signs that are displayed only when children are travelling to and
from school.
Speed surveys were carried
out at each school and at three other 'control' schools using a
concealed laser gun. Speeds of free-running vehicles travelling
past the school were measured at the school crossing point.
Three series of surveys
were conducted: 'Before', 'Interim After' (one month after the zones
were implemented), and 'After' surveys in November/December 2000.
Survey times immediately
before and after school allowed a comparison of the effects on speeds
of the permanent signs alone, the presence of children on the roadside,
operation of the illuminated signs, and the combined effect.
(Initial results show
that the presence of children on the roadside has the greatest effect
on reducing mean vehicle speeds but there is a cumulative effect
when the speed limit signs are also illuminated. The effect of the
illuminated signs alone is diminishing over time.)
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