LEIPZIG (Germany): International transport experts have hailed Kuala Lumpur’s proposal to study the possibility of introducing a speed limit of 30 km/h in several parts of the inner city by the year’s end.
Members of the International Transport Forum held here said the move to reduce the speed limit was a simple measure to reduce road deaths and injuries.
“This helps limit traffic related injuries and deaths, helps make driving more fuel or energy efficient, along with other benefits like less noise,” said Heather Thompson, head of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy based in New York.
Stating that the new policy could also spur safe school zones, she said lower speed limits should be executed throughout Kuala Lumpur to encourage walking and cycling especially around bus and train stations and dense areas.
“This leads to safer, more active streets and ridership on public transport,” she said.
She called for improvements such as raised pedestrian crossings and protected pedestrian and cycle paths.
Lotte Brondum, executive director of a global alliance of NGOs for road safety, said cities around the world were recognising the value of 30 km/h streets.
A survey by the alliance showed that “feeling unsafe was most common among cyclists (68%), passengers on two- and three-wheelers (67%) and pedestrians (65%).
“If we want people to be safe and feel safe, and enjoy moving around their cities by whatever mode of transport they choose, 30 km/h limits are a key tool,” she said.
“Every 1 km/h increase in speed results in 4% to 5% increase in fatal crashes,” she said. “The risk of death and injury reduces considerably when speeds are lowered.”
“It needs the right laws and policies, road infrastructure, and vehicle safety, as well as changing user behaviour and enforcement,” she said. “Revenues from traffic fines should be dedicated to more street safety measures. But designing streets to lead to slower, more careful driving is hugely effective and can reduce the need for enforcement” said Brondum.
Last month, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research confirmed that studies were being conducted on 10 areas in Kuala Lumpur to be converted into 30 km/h speed limit zones and a 60 km/h speed limit in other areas to be reduced to 50 km/h.
International Road Assessment Programme CEO Rob McInerney said the best way was to engineer the environment so that the desired speed feels right for the location.
“That can involve a range of treatments including entry treatments so that vehicle users know they are near a school or a vibrant shopping or work precinct,” he said.
“That could also free up space for cycle lanes and urban design treatments that make it a great place to be for people to work and live and travel.
Bloomberg Philanthropies director Kelly Larson said a holistic approach was needed which includes the adoption of best-practice laws, enforcement of those laws, strategic communication, and roads designed with all users in mind and strong data to understand what actions are needed to prevent crashes.
With a poor track record of road mayhem in the last 30 years, exacerbated by the high death rate of motorcyclists, Malaysia is among 15 countries selected for a Bloomberg-backed US$240 million (RM1.06 billion) road safety programme in 30 cities, including Kuala Lumpur.