The effects of in-car speed limiters – Field studies
Author
Summary, in English
Field trials in three European countries, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden were carried out in order to investigate the effects of an in-car speed limiter. The trials were carried out on urban and rural roads including motorways. A so-called unobtrusive instrumented car was used, where all the measuring equipment was hidden. All the speed limit categories in the respective countries, ranging from 30 km/h to 120 km/h were included. The results showed that the effects of the limiter were greatest in free driving conditions outside platoons. How-ever, the limiter also had effects in congested traffic. Momentary high speeds were suppressed effectively, which resulted in less variation of speeds. Approach speeds at roundabouts, inter-sections and curves became smoother, car-following behaviour became safer in the speed range of 30 km/h to 50 km/h. On the other hand, in the speed range of 70 km/h to 90 km/h a slightly higher number of short time-gaps suggested less safe car-following behaviour. Other negative behavioural effects were slightly increased travel time and the increased frustration and stress for the drivers caused by the limiter. The majority of the subjects accepted the speed limiter as a driver-operated system. Half of the drivers would accept the limiter volun-tarily in their cars.
Department/s
Publishing year
2001
Language
English
Pages
191-211
Publication/Series
Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier
Topic
- Infrastructure Engineering
Keywords
- In-vehicle speed limiter
- Field trials
- Instrumented car
- Speed
- Travel time
- Car-following behaviour
- Giving-way behaviour
- Driver workload
- Driver acceptance
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0968-090X