The Safe System Approach identifies setting speed limits as the basis of any speed management approach. Potential injury minimization speed limits, varying by road classification, identified by international researchers and road agencies are likely to prevent fatalities and serious injuries and are based on the principles of the Safe System Approach. Although studies have shown that lowering speed limits on higher-speed roadways has a greater impact on operating speed compared to lowering speed limits on lower-speed roadways, the latter can still result in safety benefits. As opposed to other speed management strategies, speed limit changes can be implemented quickly and widely throughout a roadway network. In this document, FHWA recommends the following when it comes to speed limits: • Target speeds (the speeds at which people are expected to drive) should align with the specific road context to balance vehicle mobility with safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. • When statutory speed limits do not suit a road's traffic or land use context, speed zones can be created, and speed limits set based on engineering studies that consider the local environment. • While the ultimate goal is to align operating speeds with target speeds, incremental target speeds may be needed to gain public support. The FHWA's Safe System Approach for Speed Management report highlights USLIMITS2, a web- based decision support tool developed by the FHWA, as a resource for determining safe speed limits. The tool helps agencies assess speed limits by considering factors such as roadway characteristics, traffic volume, crash history, and existing speeds. Using USLIMITS2 to set context-specific speed limits aligns with Safe System principles, creating a holistic, proactive, and shared responsibility for road safety. Using these strategies can result in safer roads and increased protection for all road users, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Key takeaways: Like the SLS-Procedure, this method relies on collecting multiple pieces of data and requires case-by-case analysis. National Association of City Transportation Officials City Limits The NACTO report City Limits: Setting Safe Speed Limits on Urban Streets outlines an updated approach to setting speed limits within urban areas. The most prevalent speed limit-setting practice in the US is based on the 85 th percentile of driver speeds, which typically leads to speed limits being adjusted to match observed speeds rather than the desired speed. City Limits
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