Implementation Principles for 30 km/h Speed Limits and Zones

Abstract

In the context of the Safe System approach for harm minimisation where fatal and serious injuries are not accepted as inevitable costs of mobility in any transport system, there is an increasing need to consider implementing speed limits within the biological tolerance of road users. The need to implement speed limits lower than 40 km/h in an urban area with high pedestrian movement and activity has been recognised by an Australian state road agency. Through a literature review, stakeholder consultation with road transport agencies in Australia and New Zealand and a Safe System analysis, this paper presents the development of guiding principles in implementing 30 km/h speed limits and zones in Australasia. The implementation principles have been developed to inform a revision of the existing speed zoning guidelines and its applications within the jurisdiction, which are also applicable elsewhere across Australasia and internationally.