Benefiting communities with lower speeds

Action 2.2, Action Plan for Walking 2022–2024

Department/Agency: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Status: Complete

Work with local governments to investigate and implement speed limit reductions in areas with high levels of walking and bike riding activity

Overview

The Department of Transport and Main Roads worked with road authorities to lower speed limits in areas with high numbers of people walking and riding bikes.

Completed projects support the evidence base. It shows that these reductions can be low-cost, easy to implement, and supported by communities.

Achievements

Feeling safe is a key barrier to people walking and riding bikes more often. Speed limits are an important factor influencing our perception of safety. Studies show that slower vehicles improve safety for people who walk and ride. They also show that lower speed limits reduce vehicle speeds on our roads.

Our Vulnerable Road Users Program supported road authorities to reduce speed limits in suitable areas. It also called for addressing barriers such as funding, local data, and community concerns.

The program funded technical investigations, road user counts, focus groups and surveys, signage and road marking changes, and community awareness raising.

We backed speed limit cuts in six, high-activity areas for people who walk and ride. They are in:

• Brisbane City Council (two sites)
• Logan City Council (two sites)
• Cairns Regional Council
• Ipswich City Council.

We investigated a further 15 sites for suitability. Completed works show that speed limit reductions can be low-cost, easy to implement, and supported by the community.

Everyone who travels in areas with reduced or future speed limits benefits from the project. Research suggests broader benefits: reduced noise and emissions, and improved economic outcomes for local businesses.

Next steps

We will seek funding for more speed limit reduction projects, both ad hoc and through other formal processes.

More information

You can read a case study about speed limit reductions in Cairns in our walking network planning guidance.