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Zone 30
Zones for sped-up traffic, where the precedence is the exclusive privilege of pedestrians and cyclists
ZONES WITH A SPEED LIMIT 30 km/hour
1. What is a 30 km/hour zone?
One effective measure for reduction of road traffic accidents with serious consequences in living areas is the establishment of zones with a speed limit of 30 km/hour. These zones differ substantially from other roads in living areas:
- zones are entered and exited from through a clearly marked entrance as a door;
- a general speed limit of 30 km/h applies in the zone;
- roads and adjacent territories in the zone are designed in such a way as to promote the reduction of speed;
- a significant area for pedestrians and cyclists is provided in the zone;
- road signs for right-of-way are not placed in the zone - the right of way is determined by the rule of priority to the right;
- various types of road surfaces are used, so that places for moving of various participants in the traffic can stand out.
2. When did the introduction of "the zone" as an infrastructure solution start?
At present this zone has been introduced in living areas of the majority of countries in the European Union. In Germany it was introduced in 1980, in Switzerland in 1989, in France in 1990, in the UK in 1992, in Italy in 1996, etc.
In Germany there are more than 17 000 "30km/hour” zones.
In the Netherlands more than 30 000 km. of the street network in living areas is covered, which is more than half of the street network with potential to be redesigned.
In a publication from December 17th this year, Minister Paul Clark reports on the intention of the government of Great Britain to support the local structures (municipalities) for the introduction of "30 km/h zones” in residential areas, as well as in other places where the pedestrian and bicycle traffic is intensive, such as schools, shops and parks, by pointing out that in the town of Portsmouth the Municipal council has introduced "30 km/hour zone" on 410 km of the street network, which is 94% of the entire length. He also notes that Great Britain has achieved a reduction of victims by 40% as compared to 1990 and that it has some of the safest roads in the world, but still many pedestrians and cyclists, including children, die close to their homes and schools.
It is stated in all literary sources that the "30 km/hour zone" is an effective and inexpensive measure.
3. What is the effect from the introduction of "30 km/hour zone"?
- it reduces the number of people killed and seriously injured in RTA;
After the introduction of "30 zones" instead of 50 km/h permitted up to then, a decrease in the average number of injuries by approximately 25 % was achieved in the Netherlands.
- reduction of noise;
- reduction of harmful emissions;
- faster and safer moving of vulnerable road users;
- the quality of life also improved in terms of the reduced noise level, easier crossing of the streets and the reduced volume of harmful emissions;
- at the first global ministerial conference on the problems of the road safety in Moscow, a number of speakers spoke about the effects of the introduction of "30 zone" and the need of expansion of its application;
- in the draft Strategy for improvement of road safety in Europe for the period 2011-2020 of the European Union "30 zone" is marked as a strategic event.
4. In our country this effective measure "30 zone" is not applied due to the lack of regulations and relevant standards for its building. In this sense a separate item for "zone 30” was included in the draft guidelines for amending and supplementing the Law on road traffic.
Source:
http://dokkpbdp.mvr.bg
Zones for sped-up traffic, where the precedence is the exclusive privilege of pedestrians and cyclists
ZONES WITH A SPEED LIMIT 30 km/hour
1. What is a 30 km/hour zone?
One effective measure for reduction of road traffic accidents with serious consequences in living areas is the establishment of zones with a speed limit of 30 km/hour. These zones differ substantially from other roads in living areas:
- zones are entered and exited from through a clearly marked entrance as a door;
- a general speed limit of 30 km/h applies in the zone;
- roads and adjacent territories in the zone are designed in such a way as to promote the reduction of speed;
- a significant area for pedestrians and cyclists is provided in the zone;
- road signs for right-of-way are not placed in the zone - the right of way is determined by the rule of priority to the right;
- various types of road surfaces are used, so that places for moving of various participants in the traffic can stand out.
2. When did the introduction of "the zone" as an infrastructure solution start?
At present this zone has been introduced in living areas of the majority of countries in the European Union. In Germany it was introduced in 1980, in Switzerland in 1989, in France in 1990, in the UK in 1992, in Italy in 1996, etc.
In Germany there are more than 17 000 "30km/hour” zones.
In the Netherlands more than 30 000 km. of the street network in living areas is covered, which is more than half of the street network with potential to be redesigned.
In a publication from December 17th this year, Minister Paul Clark reports on the intention of the government of Great Britain to support the local structures (municipalities) for the introduction of "30 km/h zones” in residential areas, as well as in other places where the pedestrian and bicycle traffic is intensive, such as schools, shops and parks, by pointing out that in the town of Portsmouth the Municipal council has introduced "30 km/hour zone" on 410 km of the street network, which is 94% of the entire length. He also notes that Great Britain has achieved a reduction of victims by 40% as compared to 1990 and that it has some of the safest roads in the world, but still many pedestrians and cyclists, including children, die close to their homes and schools.
It is stated in all literary sources that the "30 km/hour zone" is an effective and inexpensive measure.
3. What is the effect from the introduction of "30 km/hour zone"?
- it reduces the number of people killed and seriously injured in RTA;
After the introduction of "30 zones" instead of 50 km/h permitted up to then, a decrease in the average number of injuries by approximately 25 % was achieved in the Netherlands.
- reduction of noise;
- reduction of harmful emissions;
- faster and safer moving of vulnerable road users;
- the quality of life also improved in terms of the reduced noise level, easier crossing of the streets and the reduced volume of harmful emissions;
- at the first global ministerial conference on the problems of the road safety in Moscow, a number of speakers spoke about the effects of the introduction of "30 zone" and the need of expansion of its application;
- in the draft Strategy for improvement of road safety in Europe for the period 2011-2020 of the European Union "30 zone" is marked as a strategic event.
4. In our country this effective measure "30 zone" is not applied due to the lack of regulations and relevant standards for its building. In this sense a separate item for "zone 30” was included in the draft guidelines for amending and supplementing the Law on road traffic.
Source:
http://dokkpbdp.mvr.bg
