138-24 Exhibit to Resolution Adopting the Township of West Orange Vision Zero Action Plan.pdf

OFFICE OF SAFETY Proven Safety Countermeasures Appropriate Speed Limits for All Road Users There is broad consensus among global roadway safety experts that speed control is one of the most important methods for reducing fatalities and serious injuries. Speed is an especially important factor on non-limited access roadways where vehicles and vulnerable road users mix. A driver may not see or be aware of the conditions within a corridor, and may drive at a speed that feels reasonable for themselves but may not be for all users of the system, especially vulnerable road users, including children and seniors. A driver traveling at 30 miles per hour who hits a pedestrian has a 45 percent chance of killing or seriously injuring them.1 At 20 miles per hour, that percentage drops to 5 percent.1 A number of cities across the United States, including New York, Safety Benefits: Washington, Seattle and Minneapolis, have reduced their local speed limits in recent years in an effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, with most having to Traffic fatalities in the City secure State legislative authorization to do so. of Seattle decreased 26 percent after the States and local jurisdictions should set appropriate speed limits to reduce the significant risks drivers impose on others—especially vulnerable road users—and city implemented on themselves. Addressing speed is fundamental to the Safe System Approach comprehensive, city-wide to making streets safer, and a growing body of research shows that speed limit speed management changes alone can lead

o the Safe System Approach comprehensive, city-wide to making streets safer, and a growing body of research shows that speed limit speed management changes alone can lead to measurable declines in speeds and crashes.2 strategies and countermeasures inspired Applications Considerations by Vision Zero. This included Posted speed limits are often the same When setting a speed limit, agencies setting speed limits on as the legislative statutory speed limit. should consider a range of factors such all non-arterial streets at Agencies with designated authorities to as pedestrian and bicyclist activity, crash 20 mph and 200 miles of set speed limits, which include States, history, land use context, intersection arterial streets at 25 mph.5 and sometimes local jurisdictions, can spacing, driveway density, roadway establish non-statutory speed limits or geometry, roadside conditions, roadway One study found that designate reduced speed zones, and functional classification, traffic volume, on rural roads, when a growing number are doing so. While and observed speeds. non-statutory speed limits must be based considering other relevant To achieve desired speeds, agencies on an engineering study, conducted in often implement other speed factors in the engineering accordance with the Manual on Uniform study along with the speed management strategies concurrently Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) involving with setting speed limits, such as self- distribution, setting a speed multiple factors and engineering enforcing roadways, traffic calming, limit no more than 5 mph judgment, FHWA is also encouraging and speed safety cameras.

engineering enforcing roadways, traffic calming, limit no more than 5 mph judgment, FHWA is also encouraging and speed safety cameras. Additional below the 85th-percentile agencies to use the following:3 information is in the following FHWA speed may result in fewer • Expert Systems tools. resources: total and fatal plus injury o USLIMITS2. • FHWA Speed Management website. crashes, and lead to drivers o NCHRP 966: Posted Speed Limit • Self-Enforcing Roadways: complying closely with the Setting Procedure and Tool. A Guidance Report. posted speed limit.6 • Safe System approach. • Noteworthy Speed Based on international experience Management Practices. For more information on this and implementation in the United • Jurisdiction Speed Management and other FHWA Proven Safety States, the use of 20 mph speed zones Action Plan Development Package. Countermeasures, please visit or speed limits in urban core areas https://highways.dot.gov/ where vulnerable users share the road • Traffic Calming ePrimer. safety/proven-safety-counter environment with motorists may result in measures and https:// further safety benefits.4 highways.dot.gov/safety/ 1 Reducing the speed limit to 20 mph in urban areas: Child deaths and injuries would be decreased. speed-management/ 2 Lowering the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph in Boston: effects on vehicle speeds. 3 FHWA’s Methods and Practices for Setting Speed Limits: An Informational Report, (2012). reference-materials. 4 Recommendations of the Academic Expert Group for the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. 5 https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ref_mats/fhwasa20047/sec8.cfm#foot813 FHWA-SA-21-034 6 Safety and Operational Impacts

ce on Road Safety. 5 https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ref_mats/fhwasa20047/sec8.cfm#foot813 FHWA-SA-21-034 6 Safety and Operational Impacts of Setting Speed Limits below Engineering Recommendations.