Regulatory and Construction Speed Zones
General
Speed limits are established to reflect the speed the majority of drivers will be traveling at or below. The
is the state standard applicable to all roadways open to public traffic. TMUTCD states “speed zones (other than statutory speed limits) shall only be established on the basis of an engineering study that has been performed in accordance with traffic engineering practices. The engineering study shall include an analysis of the current speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles. The Speed Limit (R2-1) sign shall display the limit established by law, ordinance, regulation, or as adopted by the authorized agency based on the engineering study.”
State law requires speed limits on state highways to be set at the statutory speed established by law, unless a traffic and engineering study show the need for a differing speed limit. Local agencies have the authority to establish speed zones on state highways within the limits of their jurisdiction and for roadways off the state highway system. The process for establishing speed limits on the state highway system, including regulatory speed limits in construction zones, is contained in TxDOT’s
.
Federal Requirements
- – Provides that the is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel. A state MUTCD may be used if found by FHWA to be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD. The has been found to meet these criteria.
State Requirements
- – Establishes the TMUTCD as the standard for traffic control devices in Texas.
- – Requires TxDOT to develop a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices that correlates with and, to the extent possible, conforms to the system approved by AASHTO.
- The is incorporated by Texas Transportation Code §544.001 and shall be recognized as the Texas standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel.
- requires a speed zone be established based on an engineering study made in accordance with traffic engineering practices and established by law, ordinance, regulation or as adopted by the authorized agency.
- states reduced speed limits in construction zones should be used only in the specific portion of the work zone where conditions or restrictive features are present.
- - Sets forth the procedures for establishing speed zones.
- – Constitutes “basic speed law” in Texas. Establishes “prima facie” speed limits on Texas highways and allows changes if approved by the Texas Transportation Commission and supported by the manual.
- – Allows a regional tollway authority to alter speed limits on turnpike projects if the manual is followed.
- – Allows a county to alter speed limits on a county road based on the results of an engineering and traffic investigation.
- – Allows a municipality to alter speed limits on a highway within the municipality, including a highway on the state highway system, based on the results of an engineering and traffic investigation.
- – Allows a RMA to alter speed limits on transportation projects under its control if the manual is followed.
Required Practices
The LG must follow the TxDOT
and coordinate with TxDOT as described in the
.