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Cover of Facilitating Speed Management Change: Example Case Studies from Australia and New Zealand
Facilitating Speed Management Change: Example Case Studies from Australia and New Zealand
  • Publication no: AP-T381-25
  • ISBN: 978-1-922994-73-8
  • Published: 20 May 2025

This report is a case study-based examination of the information and approaches that can be used to counter some of the most significant myths and barriers relating to speed management.

Speed is a key contributor to crash risk, affecting the likelihood and severity of the outcome. The evidence base is strong for this link between speed and safety outcomes. There is also comprehensive information on the effectiveness of different types of interventions that can be used to better manage speeds. Many of these have been found to be highly effective, and greater adoption of these interventions is likely to lead to significant road safety benefits. However, there are barriers to change that often prevent required improvements.

The evidence provided in this report can be used to better engage with the public and decision-makers about the need for speed change and the broad benefits that this change will bring.

  • Summary
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1 Purpose
    • 1.2 Scope
    • 1.3 Methodology
    • 1.4 Report structure
    • 1.5 How to use this report
  • 2. Benefits from Speed Change
    • 2.1 Safety impact of speed change – rural
      • 2.1.1 Description of activity
      • 2.1.2 Outcomes
      • 2.1.3 Conclusion
      • 2.1.4 References
    • 2.2 Safety impact of speed change – urban
      • 2.2.1 Description of activity
      • 2.2.2 Outcomes
      • 2.2.3 Conclusion
      • 2.2.4 References
    • 2.3 Co-benefits – Economic impact on freight business
      • 2.3.1 Description of activity
      • 2.3.2 Outcomes
      • 2.3.3 Conclusion
      • 2.3.4 References
    • 2.4 Co-benefits – Health and safety on unsealed roads
      • 2.4.1 Description of activity
      • 2.4.2 Outcomes
      • 2.4.3 Conclusion
      • 2.4.4 References
    • 2.5 Co-benefits – Emissions
      • 2.5.1 Description of activity
      • 2.5.2 Outcomes
      • 2.5.3 Conclusion
      • 2.5.4 References
    • 2.6 Co-benefits – Economic impact on local business
      • 2.6.1 Description of activity
      • 2.6.2 Outcomes
      • 2.6.3 Conclusion
      • 2.6.4 References
    • 2.7 Co-benefits – Health and walkability
      • 2.7.1 Description of activity
      • 2.7.2 Outcomes
      • 2.7.3 Conclusion
      • 2.7.4 References
    • 2.8 Co-benefits – Improved traffic flow
      • 2.8.1 Description of activity
      • 2.8.2 Outcomes
      • 2.8.3 Conclusion
      • 2.8.4 References
    • 2.9 Co-benefits – Protecting wildlife
      • 2.9.1 Description of activity
      • 2.9.2 Outcomes
      • 2.9.3 Conclusion
      • 2.9.4 References
  • 3. Collecting Speed Data and Using Surveys
    • 3.1 Speed monitoring and safety performance indicators
      • 3.1.1 Description of activity
      • 3.1.2 Outcomes
      • 3.1.3 Conclusion
      • 3.1.4 References
    • 3.2 Community engagement – Annual surveys
      • 3.2.1 Description of activity
      • 3.2.2 Outcomes
      • 3.2.3 Conclusion
      • 3.2.4 References
    • 3.3 Attitude change over time and the status quo bias
      • 3.3.1 Description of activity
      • 3.3.2 Outcomes
      • 3.3.3 Conclusion
      • 3.3.4 References
    • 3.4 Innovative speed data collection methods
      • 3.4.1 Description of activity
      • 3.4.2 Outcomes
      • 3.4.3 Conclusion
      • 3.4.4 References
  • 4. Use of Data to Engage and Convince
    • 4.1 Impact on travel time
      • 4.1.1 Description of activity
      • 4.1.2 Outcomes
      • 4.1.3 Conclusion
      • 4.1.4 References
    • 4.2 Optimal costs from speed change across different societal objectives
      • 4.2.1 Description of activity
      • 4.2.2 Outcomes
      • 4.2.3 Conclusion
      • 4.2.4 References
    • 4.3 Using evidence to counter opposition and myths: The value of FAQs
      • 4.3.1 Description of activity
      • 4.3.2 Outcomes
      • 4.3.3 Conclusion
      • 4.3.4 References
    • 4.4 Benchmarking to help generate interest in change
      • 4.4.1 Description of activity
      • 4.4.2 Outcomes
      • 4.4.3 Conclusion
      • 4.4.4 Reference
    • 4.5 Other use of data to support change – ANRAM
      • 4.5.1 Description of activity
      • 4.5.2 Outcomes
      • 4.5.3 Conclusion
      • 4.5.4 References
    • 4.6 Using evidence of community support to generate change
      • 4.6.1 Description of activity
      • 4.6.2 Outcomes
      • 4.6.3 Conclusion
      • 4.6.4 References
  • 5. Other Supporting Activities and Measures
    • 5.1 Community-led action for change
      • 5.1.1 Description of activity
      • 5.1.2 Outcomes
      • 5.1.3 Conclusion
      • 5.1.4 References
    • 5.2 Engagement with emergency services
      • 5.2.1 Description of activity
      • 5.2.2 Outcomes
      • 5.2.3 Conclusion
      • 5.2.4 References
    • 5.3 Low-cost speed infrastructure treatments to support speed change
      • 5.3.1 Description of activity
      • 5.3.2 Outcomes
      • 5.3.3 Conclusion
      • 5.3.4 References
    • 5.4 Measures to support acceptability of speed cameras
      • 5.4.1 Description of activity
      • 5.4.2 Outcomes
      • 5.4.3 Conclusion
      • 5.4.4 References
    • 5.5 Simplifying the speed limit setting process
      • 5.5.1 Description of activity
      • 5.5.2 Outcomes
      • 5.5.3 Conclusion
      • 5.5.4 Reference
    • 5.6 Speed limit setting tools
      • 5.6.1 Description of activity
      • 5.6.2 Outcome
      • 5.6.3 Conclusion
      • 5.6.4 References
    • 5.7 Vehicle speed monitoring systems
      • 5.7.1 Description of activity
      • 5.7.2 Outcomes
      • 5.7.3 Conclusion
      • 5.7.4 References
    • 5.8 Supplementary plates with reason for speed limit change
      • 5.8.1 Description of activity
      • 5.8.2 Outcomes
      • 5.8.3 Conclusion
      • 5.8.4 References
    • 5.9 Speed change without speed limits
      • 5.9.1 Description of activity
      • 5.9.2 Outcomes
      • 5.9.3 Conclusion
      • 5.9.4 References
  • 6. Key Lessons from Case Studies
    • 6.1 Benefits of speed limit change
      • 6.1.1 Safety benefits
      • 6.1.2 Co-benefits
    • 6.2 Speed data and surveys
      • 6.2.1 Speed data collection and safety performance indicators
      • 6.2.2 Community attitude surveys
    • 6.3 Using data for persuasion and engagement
      • 6.3.1 Countering perceptions of travel time increases
      • 6.3.2 Using evidence to gain support
      • 6.3.3 Early engagement and open communication
    • 6.4 Other supporting activities and measures
      • 6.4.1 Community action for change and the importance of stories
      • 6.4.2 Mitigating impacts on emergency services
      • 6.4.3 Infrastructure to support change
      • 6.4.4 Increasing acceptability of speed cameras
      • 6.4.5 Simplifying speed limit setting
      • 6.4.6 Providing reasons and feedback to drivers
      • 6.4.7 Additional measure: Use of champions
  • 7. Conclusions
  • References
  • Appendix A Full List of Case Studies
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