Establishing Speed Limits on Unpaved Roads

Abstract

The lack of national standards for establishing speed limits on unpaved roads has put pressure on local governments to make judgment calls about their road networks. Unpaved roads have unique characteristics that differ from those of paved roads. They usually are very low volume and were not necessarily designed by engineers. This study was conducted to determine the necessary standards and guidelines for establishing speed limits on unpaved roads in Wyoming. The process used national standards and state practices to ensure that a comprehensive methodology was followed. A focus group composed of traffic and safety engineers was formed to find an efficient process for establishing speed limits on unpaved roads. The group examined four main aspects for establishing speed limits: data collection requirements, roadway safety, determination of the appropriate speed limit, and declaration of the speed limit. Once the standards and guidelines were developed, five groups were asked to provide feedback to ensure that all stakeholders had an opportunity to review them. The Wyoming Technology Transfer Center–Local Technical Assistance Program developed and offered several training options for local jurisdictions to start their own speed limit programs. These options allowed for the standards and guidelines to be implemented by local jurisdictions in Wyoming. The findings of this study will provide states and counties with established standards for setting speed limits on unpaved roads as well as with a guide to different options for establishing speed limit programs.