THRESHOLD SPEED ON ARTERIAL ROADS

THRESHOLD SPEED ON ARTERIAL ROADS

37.

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Transport does the threshold speed of 20 km/h on arterial roads take into consideration local traffic management provisions, such as traffic lights, and local road configuration, such as bends, that may not be conducive for the optimal speed to be sustained.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Sir, the optimal speed range for arterial and city roads, which is between 20-30 kph, has been determined with the consideration of their operating conditions, such as traffic lights, road junctions with side roads, and their road geometry. Academics from NTU had studied into this carefully some 10 years ago, before we introduced Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), and had recommended such an approach. This is because by taking into account such factors, for example by including the waiting time at traffic lights within the optimal speed range of 20-30 kph, it will better reflect the travelling experience of motorists.

As part of the Land Transport Review, we had also engaged a team of NTU professors to assess if we need to update the optimal speed range for our roads. We have concluded that the minimum threshold speed for arterial and city roads should remain at 20 kph, as sub-optimal stop-start traffic conditions would likely take place at speeds below that.

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