T ra f f i c Speed Assessmen t

Chichester 20mph Speed Limits Scheme

Prepared for

West Sussex County Council

July 2014

Elms House, 43 Brook Green

Hammersmith, London W6 7EY

Contents Section Page

Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Report Purpose .................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Scheme Objective ................................................................................................................ 1 1.4 Scheme Implementation ..................................................................................................... 1 1.5 Report Structure .................................................................................................................. 2

Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Vehicle Speed Measurements ............................................................................................. 3

Results ................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Before Scheme Implementation ......................................................................................... 4 3.2 After Scheme Implementation ............................................................................................ 5

Scheme Impacts Review ......................................................................................................... 6 4.1 Pre and post-implementation review ................................................................................. 6

Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 10

Appendixes

A Map - Locations of commissioned ATC loops

Introduction

1.1 Report Purpose The purpose of this report is to compare recorded traffic speed data from both before and after implementation of a 20mph scheme across Chichester.

1.2 Background The “20’s plenty for Chichester” community group has campaigned to make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas across the town without the use of traffic calming measures. The campaign itself aims to encourage more people to walk and cycle and thus reduce pollution and congestion and to help make Chichester a safer city in which to live.

The campaign also aims to enhance health and well-being by encouraging people to become more physically active. Ordinarily, the West Sussex County Council’s (WSCC) Speed Limit Policy (2010) would be used when determining what speed limits are appropriate at any given location. However, area wide speed zones adopt a different approach.

20mph speed limit zones have been implemented previously across the country and thus many schemes exist in towns, villages and neighbourhoods. Evidence has shown that the successful implementation of a 20mph zone is only likely to occur with support from the local community. The “20’s plenty for Chichester” group gained support from over 2,916 members of the community with many letters of support being received from schools, resident associations, health organisations and churches.

In a meeting on the 22nd May 2012, the South Chichester CLC approved the allocation of up to £100,000 of S106 monies to implement the scheme to include all necessary signs, lines and resources required to work with local community groups, support education and awareness campaigns that were required to ensure that the scheme helps deliver positive community outcomes.

In July 2013, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) implemented the extensive area-wide scheme that has introduced signed 20mph limits without traffic calming. The scheme covers the majority of residential streets which previously had a 30mph speed limit. Main roads such as ‘A’ and ‘B’ classified roads were excluded from the scheme.

1.3 Scheme Objective The objective of the scheme was to create a perception of a safer highway environment and to encourage more cycling and walking by reducing vehicle speeds on residential streets.

1.4 Scheme Implementation The implementation of the 20mph Speed Limit scheme was in accordance with the standard Department for Transport (DfT) guidance for signed 20mph speed limit schemes.

This consisted of the use of sign posts/plates and where possible painted roundels on the carriageway as substitutes for repeater posts/plates thus reducing scheme costs and street clutter. In addition to these measures, WSCC also support education and awareness campaigns to raise awareness and support the scheme.

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1.5 Report Structure This report comprises of four chapters as follows:

• Section 2 – Methodology: This chapter will consist of detailing how the 14 days of traffic speed data was collated.

• • Section 3 – Results: Provides a summary of average and 85th percentile speeds both before and

after scheme implementation

• Section 4 – Impacts review: Provides analysis of the impacts of the 20mph scheme.

• Section 5 – Overall Conclusion with CH2M HILL recommendations

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Methodology

2.1 Vehicle Speed Measurements Prior to the imposition of a 20mph speed limit, vehicle speeds at each site were recorded using Automatic Traffic Counts (ATCs) using the MetroCount MC5600 Vehicle Classifier System, the vehicle speed measurements presented within this report are a collation of all observed vehicle speeds at all locations and are presented both as average speeds and 85th percentile speeds.

The average speed is an expression of a typical value in a data set by adding together all of the observed speeds and then dividing by the total number of observed speeds.

85th percentile speeds are those up to which 85% of traffic is travelling i.e. it is the speed that is exceeded by only 15% of vehicles.

Although the conclusions made within this report will be based upon average speeds, the 85th percentile parameter is commonly used as the design speed in highway design to consider geometric design and is chosen as a figure that reflects the majority of driving behaviour.

Where practical the speed measurements post implementation have been undertaken in the same position as those recorded prior to implementation.

However, due to parked cars and other constraints on locating the speed measuring loops, some measurement points have been re-located. However, it is considered that these relocations do not impact on the comparable speed assessment.

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Results

3.1 Before Scheme Implementation Table 3.1 presents the location of the 35 sites where speed surveys were carried out. The mapped locations of the survey locations in the before and after implementation phases of this study can be seen in Appendix A.

The results for both the average and 85th percentile speeds for before the scheme was implemented can be seen in Table 3.1 below;

No. WSCC No. Speed Survey - Location 85th Percentile Average Speed

1

1066 Parklands Road (Outside No.46)

Both Ways Both Ways 25.9 21.8

2 1096 Cedar Drive (Outside No 74) 29.6 22.9

3 1102 Oliver Whitby Road (Outside No. 64) 30.7 24.6 4 1103 Norwich Road (Outside No. 8) 29.2 24.0 5 1111 Wellington Road (Outside No. 17-19) 30.0 24.7 6 1112 Summersdale Road 34.4 28.0 7 1113 The Broadway (Outside No. 25-27) 33.9 27.9 8 1114 Fordwater Road 25.0 19.3 9 1115 The Avenue (Outside No.23) 32.7 25.6

10 1118 Maplehurst Road (Outside No.127) 28.2 21.9 11 1119 Litten Terrace (West of Turnbull) 26.5 20.7 12 1120 Adelaide Road (Outside No. 24) 24.1 17.3 13 1121 Quarry Lane 34.6 28.0 14 1156 Oving Road (Outside No. 41) 32.1 24.8 15 4661 York Road (Outside No.39) 29.5 23.5 16 4662 Whyke Lane 22.8 17.9 17 4663 Lyndhurst Road 25.7 21.0 18 4664 Cambrai Avenue 28.3 22.6 19 4665 Cleveland Road (Outside No. 85) 27.4 21.5 20 4666 Ormonde Avenue (Outside No. 30) 25.2 20.1 21 4667 Caledonian Road (Outside No. 45) 25.8 21.3 22 4914 Brandy Hole Lane (Outside No. 6) 33.3 27.6 23 4960 Cleveland Road (By the War Memorial) 25.9 20.6 24 5025 College Lane (Near the Football Ground) 34.7 27.6 25 5033 Westgate 24.0 18.8 26 5140 Pound Farm Road 28.9 22.7 27 5518 Basin Road 27.5 21.9 28 5623 Kingsham Road 26.6 21.4 29 5628 St. James Road 29.9 23.1 30 5885 Sherborne Road 27.2 22.5 31 5886 Whyke Road 31.5 25.9 32 6011 Florence Road 32.9 27.4 33 6121 Barnfield Drive 27.7 22.3 34 6122 Bradshaw Road 24.5 19.4 35 6123 Palmers Field Avenue 28.7 22.8

Average 28.7 23.0 Table 3.1: Survey Location & 85th Percentile Speed/Average Speed– Before Implementation

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3.2 After Scheme Implementation CH2M HILL was commissioned by WSCC to undertake speed surveys at the same locations as presented in Table 3.1. The data was collected by a specialist traffic survey company, Intelligent Data. The traffic counts were conducted from Monday 10th March 2014 to Monday 7th April 2014 using the same MetroCount MC5600 Vehicle Classifier System that was used in the before scheme implantation study.

As stated above, where possible, ATC equipment in the post-implementation study was positioned at the same location as those in the pre-implementation stage to ensure direct comparison. Due to on-street parking, there were a small number of sites where it was necessary to locate the ATC equipment in a slightly different position on the street.

For installation, ATC equipment requires one metre of clear road adjacent to a secure fixing point. Where this was not possible, the revised location was as close as possible to the original.

The results for the post scheme implementation speed survey can be seen in Table 3.2.

No. Speed Survey - Location 85th Percentile Average Speed

1 Parklands Road

Both Ways Both Ways

24.4 20.16 2 Cedar Drive 28.4 22.56 3 Oliver Whitby Road 26.9 21.64 4 Norwich Road 29.6 24.95 5 Wellington Road 27.1 22.55 6 Summersdale Road 28.6 23.26 7 The Broadway 28.5 24.50 8 Fordwater Road 23.1 17.88 9 The Avenue 31.1 24.43

10 Maplehurst Road 25.9 20.69 11 Litten Terrace (West of Turnbull) 25.1 19.77 12 Adelaide Road 24.5 19.35 13 Quarry Lane 32.6 26.23 14 Oving Road 27.8 22.79 15 York Road 21.7 18.08 16 Whyke Lane 20.7 16.93 17 Lyndhurst Road 19.7 16.43 18 Cambrai Avenue 23.3 18.39 19 Cleveland Road 24.6 19.87 20 Ormonde Avenue 22.0 17.97 21 Caledonian Road 23.6 19.76 22 Brandy Hole Lane 29.5 24.68 23 Cleveland Road 23.9 19.43 24 College Lane 30.3 25.70 25 Westgate 24.0 19.67 26 Pound Farm Road 28.2 23.00 27 Basin Road 25.1 20.81 28 Kingsham Road 26.0 21.58 29 St. James Road 25.5 20.96 30 Sherborne Road 24.4 20.92 31 Whyke Road 29.5 24.68 32 Florence Road 31.9 26.50 33 Barnfield Drive 22.4 19.24 34 Bradshaw Road 22.4 19.01 35 Palmers Field Avenue 23.5 19.51

Average 25.9 21.3 Table 3.2: Survey Location & 85th Percentile Speed/Average Speed – After Implementation

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Scheme Impacts Review

4.1 Pre and post-implementation review Table 4.1 shows the comparison between the 85% percentile speeds recorded before and after the 20mph scheme was implemented in Chichester.

No. Speed Survey – Location Pre-scheme

implementation Post-scheme

implementation Percentage Change

Mph Speed Variation

85% percentile 1 Parklands Road 25.9 24.4 -6.0% -1.5 mph 2 Cedar Drive 29.6 28.4 -4.2% -1.2 mph 3 Oliver Whitby Road 30.7 26.9 -12.5% -3.8 mph 4 Norwich Road 29.2 29.6 +1.5% +0.4 mph 5 Wellington Road 30.0 27.1 -9.7% -2.9 mph 6 Summersdale Road 34.4 28.6 -17.0% -5.8 mph 7 The Broadway 33.9 28.5 -15.9% -5.4 mph 8 Fordwater Road 25.0 23.1 -7.6% -1.9 mph 9 The Avenue 32.7 31.1 -4.8% -1.6 mph

10 Maplehurst Road 27.8 25.9 -7.0% -1.9 mph 11 Litten Terrace (West of Turnbull) 26.5 25.1 -5.0% -1.4 mph 12 Adelaide Road 24.1 24.5 +1.7% +0.4 mph 13 Quarry Lane 34.6 32.6 -5.9% -2 mph 14 Oving Road 32.1 27.8 -13.4% -4.3 mph 15 York Road 29.5 21.7 -26.5% -7.8 mph 16 Whyke Lane 22.8 20.7 -9.1% -2.1 mph 17 Lyndhurst Road 25.7 19.7 -23.5% -6 mph 18 Cambrai Avenue 28.3 23.3 -17.8% -5 mph 19 Cleveland Road 26.5 24.6 -7.0% -1.9 mph 20 Ormonde Avenue 25.2 22.0 -12.7% -3.2 mph 21 Caledonian Road 25.8 23.6 -8.5% -2.2 mph 22 Brandy Hole Lane 32.8 29.5 -9.9% -3.3 mph 23 Cleveland Road 25.9 23.9 -7.9% -2 mph 24 College Lane 34.7 30.3 -12.7% -4.4 mph 25 Westgate 24.0 24.0 +0.1% 0.0 mph 26 Pound Farm Road 28.9 28.2 -2.3% -0.7 mph 27 Basin Road 27.5 25.1 -8.7% -2.4 mph 28 Kingsham Road 26.6 26.0 -2.6% -0.6 mph 29 St. James Road 29.9 25.5 -14.9% -4.4 mph 30 Sherborne Road 27.2 24.4 -10.4% -2.8 mph 31 Whyke Road 31.5 29.5 -6.5% -2.0 mph 32 Florence Road 32.9 31.9 -3.2% -1.0 mph 33 Barnfield Drive 27.7 22.4 -19.3% -5.3 mph 34 Bradshaw Road 24.5 22.4 -8.5% -2.1 mph 35 Palmers Field Avenue 28.7 23.5 -18.1% -5.2 mph

All Sites 28.7 25.9 -9.6% -2.8mph Table 4.1: Comparison of pre and post-implementation speed data – 85% Percentile Table 4.1 shows that 32 of the 35 sites have seen a decrease in the observed 85th percentile speeds since the implementation of the 20 mph scheme in Chichester. Across all of the sites, there has been an average 9.6% decrease in the observed 85% percentile speeds.

Although there is a reduction at the majority of the sites, only 1 site has an 85% percentile speed of less than 20mph, at Lyndhurst Road.

The largest decrease in speeds was observed on York Road, from 29.5mph pre-scheme to 21.7mph post-scheme, which is a decrease of 26.5%. Of the 3 sites with increased speeds, the increases post scheme

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implementation are minimal, of less than 2%. These were experienced at Norwich Road (+1.5%), Adelaide Road (+1.7%) and Westgate (+0.1%).

Table 4.2 shows the results of the same data set but presented by average speeds. Average speed is presented here as it provides a simplistic comparison between the two data sets that is easily understood by all readers. In addition to this, WSCC’s general approach to setting speed limits across the County is based upon average speeds.

No. Speed Survey – Location Pre-scheme

implementation Post-scheme

implementation Percentage Change

Mph Speed Variation

Average Speed 1 Parklands Road 21.8 20.16 -6.3% -1.64 2 Cedar Drive 22.9 22.56 -1.1% -0.34 3 Oliver Whitby Road 24.6 21.64 -9.6% -2.96 4 Norwich Road 24.0 24.95 +3.3% + 0.95 5 Wellington Road 24.7 22.55 -7.2% -2.15 6 Summersdale Road 28.0 23.26 -13.8% -4.74 7 The Broadway 27.9 24.50 -10.0% -3.4 8 Fordwater Road 19.3 17.88 -5.7% -1.42 9 The Avenue 25.6 24.43 -3.6% -1.17

10 Maplehurst Road 21.9 20.69 -4.4% -1.21 11 Litten Terrace (West of Turnbull) 20.7 19.77 -3.5% -0.93 12 Adelaide Road 17.3 19.35 +8.5% +2.05 13 Quarry Lane 28.0 26.23 -5.1% -1.77 14 Oving Road 24.8 22.79 -6.3% -2.01 15 York Road 23.5 18.08 -18.4% -5.42 16 Whyke Lane 17.9 16.93 -4.2% -0.97 17 Lyndhurst Road 21.0 16.43 -17.8% -4.57 18 Cambrai Avenue 22.6 18.39 -14.9% -4.21 19 Cleveland Road 21.5 19.87 -6.2% -1.63 20 Ormonde Avenue 20.1 17.97 -8.5% -2.13 21 Caledonian Road 21.3 19.76 -5.9% -1.54 22 Brandy Hole Lane 27.6 24.68 -8.9% -2.92 23 Cleveland Road 20.6 19.43 -4.5% -1.17 24 College Lane 27.6 25.70 -6.9% -1.90 25 Westgate 18.8 19.67 +3.6% +0.87 26 Pound Farm Road 22.7 23.00 +0.5% +0.30 27 Basin Road 21.9 20.81 -4.0% -1.09 28 Kingsham Road 21.4 21.58 +0.7% +0.18 29 St. James Road 23.1 20.96 -7.2% -2.14 30 Sherborne Road 22.5 20.92 -5.8% -1.58 31 Whyke Road 25.9 24.68 -3.9% -1.22 32 Florence Road 27.4 26.50 -2.7% -0.9 33 Barnfield Drive 22.3 19.24 -11.1% -3.06 34 Bradshaw Road 19.4 19.01 -1.6% -0.39 35 Palmers Field Avenue 22.8 19.51 -11.5% -3.29

All Sites 23.0 21.3 -5.8% -1.7 Table 4.2: Comparison of pre and post-implementation speed data – Average Speed

The average speed data has been grouped by result type and can be seen in Table 4.3. It can be seen that the greatest changes were observed where speeds were greater than 24mph pre-scheme and lower than 24mph after the scheme.

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No of Sites

Pre-scheme Av Speed

Post Scheme Av Speed

% Change

Mph Speed Variation

Av speeds above 24mph before but lower after 4 25.5 22.6 -9.2% -3.0

Av speeds greater than 24mph before and after 7 27.1 25.2 -6% -1.9

Av speeds below 24mph before and after 23 21.2 19.7 -5.6% -1.5

Av speeds below 24mph and higher after 1 24.0 25.0 3.3% 1.0 Table 4.3: Average Speed by Result Type The relevance of 24mph is explained by the process by which WSCC regularly determine speed limits across the County. When WSCC normally determine speed limits, in the first instance existing speeds at a given location are measured and an average is calculated.

The appropriate speed limit is then determined in accordance with Table 4.4 by referencing the measured average speed against the speed limit in the table. For example, if the observed average speed was 24mph, the location would qualify for a 20mph speed limit. If the observed average speed was 25mph then the location would qualify for a 30mph speed limit.

Speed Limit 60 50 40 30 20 Average Speed (to be below) 62 52 42 33 24

Table 4.4: Speed Assessment Criteria

In accordance with WSCC’s normal protocol for setting speed limits across the County, for a speed limit of 24mph the average observed speed should be 24mph or below following implementation of a speed limit. Pre-scheme implementation, it can be seen from Table 4.2 that average speeds below 24mph were observed at 22 (63%) sites and above at 13 (37%) sites. Post scheme implementation, average speeds below 24mph were observed at 27 (77%) sites and above at 8 (23%) sites. It is therefore considered that the speeds are at the desired level after implementation at 77% of sites, an improvement on the initial 63%.

It can be seen from Table 4.5 that the greatest change was observed at sites where the average pre-scheme speed was above 24mph. It can be seen from Table 4.4 that these are sites that would ordinarily qualify for a 30mph speed limit in WSCC. It is useful to separate sites with relatively high pre-scheme speeds given that larger decreases would naturally be expected here given that a greater reduction is required in order to achieve the 20mph limit. Including these sites when calculating an average would therefore serve to increase the average speed changes seen in Table 4.2.

No of Sites

Pre-scheme Av Speed

Post Scheme Av Speed

% Change

Mph Speed Variation

Av pre-scheme speeds below 24mph 24 21.3 19.9 -5.3% -1.4

Av pre-scheme speeds above 24mph 11 26.6 24.3 -7.1 -2.3

Table 4.5: Average Speed Classified by Pre-scheme Result Type

It should be noted that further work would be required in order to provide more context to this analysis. It is suggested that in order to ascertain an understanding of the good performance of some sites and poor performance of others, each site should be assessed on an individual basis. In this way, patterns may be identified in terms of site characteristics that are common to any particular outcome.

It is also noted that the decrease in the 85 percentile speeds is greater than the decrease in average speeds, indicating that excessive speed have been reduced effectively.

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In addition to this, the observed speed is not the only factor that could be considered to determine the overall success of the scheme. In accordance with the objectives of the scheme stated in Section 1 of this report, the speed reduction is a means to an end. Additional indicators could include:

• Public attitude and perceptions;

• Before and after road traffic accident statistics;

• Pedestrian activity surveys; and

• Cycle usage surveys.

Table 4.6 shows the sites with average speeds greater than 24mph ranked from highest speeds to lowest. It is suggested that the 8 sites with a post scheme average above 24mph be subject to further investigation.

Site Ref Location Pre-scheme Average Post-scheme Average 32 Florence Road 27.4 26.5 13 Quarry Lane 28 26.23 24 College Lane 27.6 25.70 4 Norwich Road 24 24.95

22 Brandy Hole Lane 27.6 24.68 31 Whyke Road 25.9 24.68 7 The Broadway 27.9 24.5 9 The Avenue 25.6 24.43 6 Summersdale Road 28 23.26

26 Pound Farm Road 22.7 23 14 Oving Road 24.8 22.79 2 Cedar Drive 22.9 22.56 5 Wellington Road 24.7 22.55 3 Oliver Whitby Road 24.6 21.64

Table 4.6: Highest Ranking Average Speeds

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Conclusion In conclusion, the results show that there is an observed reduction in speeds at 89% of the sites, comparing speeds before and after the implementation of the 20mph zone in Chichester. Of those sites which have an increase, these are observed as minimal increases (of less than 2%). The monitoring survey indicates that the scheme is generally reducing vehicle speeds across Chichester to what would appear to be consistent with 20 mph schemes elsewhere.

WSCC would normally aim to introduce a 20mph speed limit with average road speeds below 24 mph. The results of the analysis indicate that pre-scheme implementation, average speeds below 24mph were observed at 22 (63%) sites and above at 13 (37%) sites. Post scheme implementation, average speeds below 24mph were observed at 27 (77%) sites and above at 8 (23%) sites. It is therefore considered that the speeds are at the desired level after implementation at 77% of sites.

A total of 11 of the sites had a pre-scheme average speed of 24mph or greater. Post scheme implementation, this was reduced to 8 sites. The greatest average speed observed following the implementation of the scheme was 26.5mph on Florence Road.

Across the City, 85thpercentile speeds have been reduced by a greater extent than the average figure with a mean reduction of nearly 10% across all the roads surveyed. This indicates that excessive speeds have been effectively reduced.

Further review of the success of the scheme could also be considered, reviewing the impact of the scheme in terms of the wider aims of introducing lower speeds throughout Chichester. Such analysis could determine if the scheme has been a success in terms of changes in road traffic accident statistics and observed changes in pedestrian and cycle volumes.

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Appendix A ATC Loop Location

11

10

8

6

5

35

36

33

34

24

12

11

29

14

26

32

15

23

19

16

21

17

28

27

9

22

7

4

25

1

2

30

3

31

20

18

13

Drawing Scale:

Drawing No.

Checked by:

Approved by:

Drawn by:

Drawing

Revision

Date:

Date:

Date:

Project

Client

www.ch2mhill.com

Elms House

43 Brook Green, Hammersmith

London W6 7EF

TEL: +44 (0) 20 3479 8000

Key

West Sussex County Council

Chichester 20mph Speed Limit

Speed Survey - ATC Locations

AJM 14/05/14

AJM 14/05/14

AJM 14/05/14

Appendix A -

N.T.S @ A3

ATC Location: Pre- Implementation 20mph

Speed Limit

ATC Location: After Implementation 20mph

Speed Limit

1 - Parklands Road2 - Cedar Drive3 - Oliver Whitby4 - Norwich Road5 - Wellington Road6 - Summersdale Road7 - The Broadway8 - Fordwater Road9 - The Avenue10 - Maplehurst Road11 - Litten Terrace12 - Adelaide Road13 - Quarry Lane14 - Oving Road15 - York Road16 - Whyke Lane17 - Lyndhurst Road18 - Cambrai Avenue19 - Cleveland Road20 - Ormonde Avenue21 - Caledonian Road22 - Brady Hole Lane23 - Cleveland Road (By the War Memorial)24 - College Lane25 - Westgate26 - Pound Farm Road27 - Basin Road28 - Kingsham Road29 - St.James Road30 - Sherborne Road31 - Whyke Road32 - Florence Road33 - Barnfield Drive34 - Bradshaw Road35 - Palmers Field Avenue36 - Kingsmead Avenue

Speed Survey Location