Using Speed Display Signs for Speed Management

Speeding is a problem across the country, on every type of roadway and in every type of community. In an effort to address speed-related crashes on Connecticut’s rural roads, in coordination with the CT DOT, the T2 Center’s Safety Circuit Rider program has launched a Speed Display Sign Program. The two-year program will provide two signs, along with training on their use and benefit, to each of the 119 Connecticut towns with rural roads. Additionally, regional speed management trainings will be offered to all towns receiving signs to provide a broader speed management strategy.

Speed display signs are recognized by the Federal Highway Administration as an effective countermeasure to address speeding. They have been shown to reduce speeds by up to 5 mph and can be utilized in conjunction with other speed management tools to further reduce speeding. For more information, click here.

These signs help remind the driving public of the posted speed limit and how fast they are driving in relation to that speed limit. They can be an important educational tool in getting the public to slow down on roads where speed can often end in a crash. Since the signs also collect data, towns can identify problem areas and the most effective times of day for speed enforcement.

At this time there are twelve towns in the state that have received their signs, ten in the Capitol region and two in the Southeastern region. Of those, five have installed their signs and more are scheduled to complete installations in the coming weeks. Towns that have received their signs have also been provided with a list of priority local road locations where speed-related crashes have occurred to assist them with determining where to install the signs. These locations have been identified for all of the eligible towns.

More sign deliveries are being scheduled as well. By the end of June, all of the towns included in the first year of the program will have their signs. The year two towns should start to receive theirs in July.

For more information and assistance with local road safety in your community, contact Melissa Evans, Safety Circuit Rider, at melissa.evans@uconn.edu.

Resources:

https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ref_mats/fhwasa16077/fhwasa16077.pdf