Healy, Jessica (2024) Effective deployment of Courtesy Speed Display Signs in a small town in Australia. [USQ Project]
Abstract
The study investigates the efficacy of rotational Courtesy Speed Display Signs (CSDS) in controlling vehicle speeds on local roads in Broome, Western Australia. Given the high costs and logistical challenges associated with permanent traffic-calming infrastructure in rural settings, the Shire of Broome sought a more affordable, flexible solution. This research hypothesised that CSDS when strategically rotated, could provide a cost-effective alternative to permanent installations by effectively reducing speeds and enhancing road safety across multiple locations.
The research methodology was structured into four phases: Site Selection to prioritise locations based on traffic volume and speeding complaints, followed by Sign Setup and Installation. The third phase is Data Collection using MetroCount RoadPod counters to gather speed data before, during and after installation, and finally, the Data Analysis which incorporates a Chi-square tests to determine statistical significance.
Results showed that CSDS effectively decreased average and 85th percentile speeds in most locations immediately upon installation. However, speed reductions varied with site conditions and duration of deployment, underscoring the importance of site-specific rotation schedules for optimal effectiveness. The research found the optimum duration of the CSDS impact to be four to six weeks, and once removed the speed violation quickly returned to baseline levels. These findings provide actionable insights for local governments aiming to enhance road safety within constrained budgets. The study concludes that while rotational CSDS can be effective for speed management, refining site prioritisation criteria and rotation frequency is essential to sustaining impact.
|
Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | USQ Project |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Engineering (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Somasundaraswaran, Soma |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Mar 2026 03:50 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Mar 2026 03:50 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Courtesy Speed Display Signs (CSDS); Vehicle speed |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53048 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Archive Repository Staff Only |
