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Synthesis of Variable Speed Limit Signs

Overview

Variable speed limit (VSL) systems utilize information on traffic speed, occupancy, and volume detection, weather, and road surface conditions to determine the appropriate speeds at which drivers should be traveling, given current roadway and traffic conditions. The use of VSL during less than ideal conditions, such as heavy traffic and adverse weather, can improve safety by decreasing the risks associated with traveling at speeds that are higher than appropriate for the conditions and by reducing speed variance in traffic. In addition, VSL can be used to dynamically manage speeds during planned (rush hour congestion) and unplanned (incidents) events. Used in conjunction with managed lanes and other active traffic management strategies, VSL can respond to downstream congestion to eliminate or delay bottlenecks and mitigate the possibility of crashes. Based on a comprehensive literature review along with agency interviews to gather information on existing, deactivated and planned VSL systems, this synthesis provides a comprehensive review of current practices on VSL operations, particularly experiences from deployments in the United States, and to identify successful and best practices from the following perspectives: planning and policy, design, deployment, and standards, operations and maintenance, and outcomes.

Organizational Capability Element

    Planning
    Active Traffic Management/Travel Demand Management/Pricing

Content Type

Research

Role in Organization

Transportation Planner
Senior Engineer
Researcher/Academic
Principal Engineer
Director / Program Manager
CEO / GM / Commissioner
Engineer
Associate Engineer

Publishing Organization

FHWA

Objective

Learning
Networking

Document Downloads

Project Website

Prime Contractor
Leidos 11251 Roger Bacon Drive Reston, VA 20190 ToXcel, LLC 7140 Heritage Village Plaza Gainesville, VA 20155
Author
Bryan Katz, Jiaqi Ma, Heather Rigdon, Kayla Sykes, Zhitong Huang, Kelli Raboy
Issue Date
Publication Number
FHWA-HOP-17-003