Sweeney, Bernard C.
(2020)
Developing an alternative means of assessing speed limits on rural single carriageway roads in Ireland using observed driver behaviour.
Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
Speed limits in Ireland have undergone many changes since first introduced, most notably
in 2005 when the State adopted metric speed limits. The challenge presented to the
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Local Authorities is to assess, manage
and implement a system of speed limits that are appropriate, credible, transparent and
have the support and respect of the road user. Until 2005 a National Speed Limit applied
to all roads outside built-up areas. Metrification then occurred, and the National Speed
Limit was replaced by a system of Default Speed Limits that were assigned to each class
of road. Over time, this led to a lack of credibility and inconsistency in the speed limit
system. This thesis presents a history of how Irish speed limits have evolved and how they
are currently set and looks at Ireland’s collision history, its speed limits and its road safety
performance in relation to other European countries. Current speed limit assessment
methods, both in Ireland and in other jurisdictions, are also presented.
An alternative means of assessing the appropriate speed limit for rural single carriageway
roads is proposed by deriving a Safe Profile Velocity (Vsp) and an Efficiency Index value
for the road or section of road under assessment, by capturing actual driver behaviour -
the hypothesis being that the derived Safe Profile Velocity (Vsp) reflects what is occurring
on the road and simplifies the assessment method in relation to current methodologies
like the Speed Assessment Framework, while retaining core principles. A simplified
assessment method is becoming increasingly necessary as Local Authority resources are
limited, but demand for a credible speed limit system remains.
This thesis contains seven case studies and shows the relationship between the Safe Profile
Velocity (Vsp) and existing speed limits - the Efficiency Index, and shows the effect on
this Index should the speed limit be altered. The question of considering the use of speed
limit values that do not currently exist in legislation also emerges within this thesis. Areas
where future analysis or further research may be beneficial are also proposed.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(Masters)
|
| Keywords: |
Developing; alternative means; assessing; speed limits; rural single carriageway roads; Ireland; observed; driver behaviour; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > National Centre for Geocomputation, NCG |
| Item ID: |
13544 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
06 Nov 2020 12:27 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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