Location of Speed Check Stations

A complete picture of speeds in an area can only be obtained through the proper location of speed check stations. Ideally, speed checks at an infinite number of locations would be desirable; however, since this is not practical, speed check stations must be strategically located to show all the important changes in prevailing speeds.
In urban areas and on approaches to cities
, speed check stations:
  • should generally be located at intervals of 0.25 mile or less if necessary to insure an accurate picture of the speed pattern
  • should be located midway between signals or 0.2 miles from any signal, whichever is less, to ensure an accurate representation of speed patterns
  • should take into account the locality and the uniformity of physical and traffic conditions
  • may be determined by trial runs through the area if volumes are too low or if a recheck of speeds is all that is needed
  • should be checked midway between interchanges on the main lanes of expressways and freeways.
In rural areas
, speed check stations:
  • may be at intervals greater than 0.25 mile, as long as the general speed pattern is followed
  • may only be necessary at each end and the middle point if the characteristics of the roadway are consistent throughout the entire section
  • may be determined by trial runs through the area if the characteristics of the roadway are consistent throughout the entire section and a speed check in that section indicates that 125 vehicles cannot be checked within the two hours if radar is used, or after four hours if a traffic counter that classifies vehicles by type is used.