Modeling Operating Speed: Synthesis Report

This report is a synthesis of existing operating speed models developed in different regions of the world. The models are grouped according to roadway type. Limitations and deficiencies in existing operating speed models and suggestions for future work are also identified.



Practitioner perspectives on the potential use of speed prediction models in road design practice are provided from both the perspective of the United States and the international community.

Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction - Yasser Hassan and Mohamed Sarhan
Chapter 2: Speed Models in North America - Michael Dimaiuta, Eric Donnell, Scott Himes, and Richard Porter
Two-Lane Rural Highways
Multilane Rural Highways, Urban Streets, and Freeways
Chapter 3: Speed Models in Europe - Basil Psarianos and Alfredo Garcia
Germany
Switzerland
Italy
United Kingdom
France
Austria
Greece
Chapter 4: Speed Models in Other Regions and Road Types - Paolo Perco
Australia
Jordan
Venezuela
Pakistan
Chapter 5: Deficiencies in Existing Speed Models - Mohamed Sarhan, Yasser Hassan, and Michael Diamiuta
Issues with Data Collection
Unrealistic Assumptions of Driver Behavior
Difficulties in Estimating Speed Changes Between Geometric Elements
Lack of Uniformity Across Models
Consideration of Only Passenger Cars
Limitations of Linear Regression
Limited Applicability of Models
Chapter 6: Practitioners’ Perspective - Paolo Perco and Mark Taylor
U.S. Practitioners’ Perspective
International Practitioners’ Perspective
Chapter 7: Conclusions and Recommendations - Yasser Hassan, Mohamed Sarhan, Michael Diamaiuta, and Richard Porter
Data Collection Procedures
Validating Driver Behavior Assumptions
Estimating Speed Changes Between Geometric Elements
Truck Speed Models
Modeling Techniques
Modeling Nighttime Speeds
Expanding the Applicability of Models
Appendix A: North America: Operating Speed Studies for Two-Lane, Rural Highways
Appendix B: North America: List of Two-Lane, Rural Highway Studies
Bibliography