Speed Zoning Presentation by Craig Wooldridge

Speed Zoning Presentation

Craig Wooldridge

Manager Traffic Operations and Services

November 2009

What’s Changed Over the Past Decade

• More consistent speed limits.

• Most changes have been reductions.

• Area wide 70km/h limits introduced in fringe urban areas.

• Area wide 40km/h limits introduced in limited CBD areas.

• 50km/h blanket urban limit implemented.

Examples Over

the Past 18 Months

Fitzgerald Street

Speed Reduction Demonstration

Fitzgerald Street

Speed Reduction Demonstration (cont)

• Speed cushions installed in June 2008 over 400m

in main pedestrian area in North Perth.

• 25,000 vehicles per day.

• 1400 pedestrian crossings per day.

• Before treatment 85th percentile speed 55km/h.

• After treatment 85th percentile speed 40km/h.

• Less than 50 complaints.

• 2 year before/after crash review committed.

• Revised regulatory speed limit to be decided at

the end of the review.

Beaufort Street Variable Speed Limit

Demonstration

Beaufort Street Variable Speed Limit

Demonstration (cont)

• Installed in August 2009.

• Electronic speed signs.

• 40km/h limit from 9am to 10pm Sunday to

Thursday.

• 40km/h limit from 9am to 1am Friday and

Saturday.

• Times of operation by agreement with local

working group.

• 60km/h limit at other times.

• Two year before/after study.

Leederville 30km/h Demonstration

Leederville 30km/h Demonstration

• Installed in September 2009.

• Previously posted at 50km/h.

• 85% speed before change was 36.5km/h.

• Positive community and business feedback.

• Only 1complaint.

• 2 year before/after study to be completed.

Old Coast Road – Single Carriageway Section

• Speed limit reduced from 110 to 100km/h in February

2009.

• Strong planning and co-operation between Main Roads

and Police.

• Before and after VMS presence.

• After Police presence.

• Before 85% speeds - 109 to 115km/h

• After 85% speeds - 101 to 107 km/h

• Speeds just after overtaking lanes around 120km/h.

• Only 1 public complaint.

• No before/after crash study due the impacts of Forrest

Hwy.

Key Issues for the Future

• Is the 110km/h blanket limit suitable for gravel

roads?

• Is the 110km/h limit suitable for lower quality

country roads?

• Do we need to remove some speed limits eg.

20km/h increments instead of 10km/h?

• Political support for speed limit changes.

Moving Forward

• Further demonstration projects required with

before and after studies to gain

political/community support.

• The use of speed cameras will be required at high

risk/high crash locations to achieve lower speeds.

Questions