Effects of speed display signs on driving speed at pedestrian crossings on collector streets

• Published in: Transportation research. Part F, Traffic psychology and behaviour Traffic psychology and behaviour, 2020-10, Vol.74, p.433-438
• Main Authors: Malin, Fanny, Luoma, Juha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automobile driving; Displays; Driver behaviour; Driving; Field study; Low speed; Pedestrian crossings; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrians; Speed indicator device; Speed limits; Streets; Studies; Traffic accidents & safety; Traffic safety; Urban environments
• ISSN: 1369-8478; 1873-5517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2020.09.004

•Speed displays reduce driving speeds on low-speed (40 km/h) urban streets.•Drop in mean speed and share of speeding.•Speed displays were installed for 5 months with speed effects persisting over time.•Speed effects could include up to a 20% reduction in pedestrian fatality risk. This study was designed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of speed display signs on driving speed at pedestrian crossings in a low-speed (40 km/h) urban environment. Driving speeds were compared 1 week before installation, after installation (1 week; 1 month; 3 months; 5 months) and 1 week after removal. The main results showed that the speed displays decreased the mean speed by 0.5–2.9 km/h, which translates to a 4–22% drop in pedestrian fatality risk. Furthermore, there was a drop in the proportion of speeding vehicles and approaching speed of individual vehicles. The decrease in speed persisted over time, suggesting that speed displays may reduce speeds in the long term. In conclusion, installing speed displays at pedestrian crossings on collector streets reduces driving speeds and could contribute to the safety of pedestrians.