Two years ago in Germany, a study of a specific sort of display sign was carried out. Unlike radar speed display signs that show a driver’s precise speed and can be set to flash if that speed is over the limit, these signs followed a little different principle. The speed limit generally wasn’t posted with the feedback sign, but something like a picture of a child would be used to show drivers what was in the area. A child’s picture indicated that youngsters were in the area, and below it a sign said “thank you” or “slow.”
It’s fascinating to note the greatest difference between these signs and the traffic display signs that are mounted with static speed limit signs that reflect a driver’s speed back to him. Also engaging are the differences in the speed reductions often found between the two types of signs.
The feedback offered by the signs in Germany consisted mainly of either praise (thank you) or a warning to decelerate (slow). This sort of feedback has been shown valuable in other studies, even if it was comprised of a police offer pulling over drivers and either issuing cautions or thanking them for following the speed limit. But did these unique signs work when put into action?
Traffic did slow down. The average drop in speed ranged between 1.1 to 2.6 miles an hour. The share of speeders reduced, and pedestrians surveyed claimed they encountered fewer events when crossing the street. The 85th percentile speed, which is the velocity most traffic travels when they think they’re driving carefully and moderately, dropped from 1.2 to 3.7 mph.
Such a large amount of different types of testing have been done on the types of signs TraffiCalm offers, in school zones, work zones, highways, agricultural neighborhoods and more. The signs only show the speed the approaching automobile is traveling. When that is twinned with the actual posted speed limit above it, drivers can see the discrepancy and most will make adjustments of more than the adjustments made with the photograph signs tested in Germany.
To get some more information about TraffiCalm’s speed display signs and how they can offer traffic calming in your community, talk to us today.
Leave a Reply