Infrastructure/speed limit relationship in relation to road safety outcomes

The objective of this project was to provide advice to jurisdictions on appropriate speed limit setting policy in light of harm minimisation (the Safe System approach). This advice was based on the improved understanding of the relationships between infrastructure, speed limits, driver selection of speeds and crash outcomes. The project consisted of a review of Australasian and international literature regarding the harm minimisation approach in road safety and speed limits. Data analysis was carried out to identify the relationships between different elements of road infrastructure and crash outcomes. This body of research was evaluated by an expert group of Austroads stakeholders to identify the road infrastructure features relevant in speed limit setting. The stakeholders provided input into guidance on appropriate speed limit setting policy in the context of harm minimisation. The project provides a set of revised guiding principles for speed limit setting based on harm minimisation (the Safe System approach), road function, road infrastructure and driver selection of speeds.