The study attempts to evaluate the adequacy and advisability of differential truck-passenger car speed limits on the Interstate and primary systems in the State of Virginia. In general it was found that the current posted truck speed limit on Interstate highways is unreasonably low, and as a result truck drivers disregard it. Whether to differentiate or combine vehicle classes in regard to the speed limit is indeterminable from this study. Based upon the observations the 85th percentile speed for passenger cars lies between 65 and 70 mph on the Interstate system. The same speed for trucks lies approximately between 55 and 60 mph. Speed differentials exist on the primary system but are neither so recognizable nor consistant as those on the Interstate system. Trucks were the fastest vehicles at several locations where grade (downhill) was of obvious significance and at locations where, due to horizontal curves, maximum safe speed signing was present. While the question of speed limit determination is intimately related to matters of accident involvement and severity, there appears to be no conclusive evidence upon which to base a judgment. Neither is there evidence to support the view that the absence of posted speed differentials increases rates of accident involvement or severity. There appears to be no good reason to assume that safety is not best served by speed limits which either reflect observed speed characteristics of the roadway or allow traffic to establish its own most reasonable speed. (Author)
Truck Speeds in Virginia
1968
80 pages
Report
No indication
English
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