NTL Record

Title Synthesis of Variable Speed Limit Signs
Record ID 67099
Personal Name
Creator
Katz, Bryan; Ma, Jiaqi; Rigdon, Heather; Sykes, Kayla; Huang, Zhitong; Raboy, Kelli; Chu, Jimmy
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publisher United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publication Date 20170101
Language English
Abstract Variable speed limit (VSL) systems utilize information on traffic speed, occupancy, and volume detection, weather, and road surface conditions to determine the appropriate speeds at which drivers should be traveling, given current roadway and traffic conditions. The use of VSL during less than ideal conditions, such as heavy traffic and adverse weather, can improve safety by decreasing the risks associated with traveling at speeds that are higher than appropriate for the conditions and by reducing speed variance in traffic. In addition, VSL can be used to dynamically manage speeds during planned (rush hour congestion) and unplanned (incidents) events. Used in conjunction with managed lanes and other active traffic management strategies, VSL can respond to downstream congestion to eliminate or delay bottlenecks and mitigate the possibility of crashes. Based on a comprehensive literature review along with agency interviews to gather information on existing, deactivated and planned VSL systems, this synthesis provides a comprehensive review of current practices on VSL operations, particularly experiences from deployments in the United States, and to identify successful and best practices from the following perspectives: planning and policy, design, deployment, and standards, operations and maintenance, and outcomes.
Rosap ID dot:41568
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/41568
General Subjects Variable speed limits--Planning; Speed zoning (Traffic engineering); Variable speed limits--Standards
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DTFH61-12-D-00045
Report Number FHWA-HOP-17-003
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/67000/67000/67099/fhwahop17003.pdf
Alternative URL https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop17003/fhwahop17003.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository