#38 New Speed Zoning Policy in Victoria
- Duc Phan
- 22 hours ago
- 1 min read
The Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DPT) last week released updated Speed Zoning Policy (RSV-002) [1], which simplifies the implementation of 30km/h speed limits in city hubs, city streets and areas of high pedestrian activity, including school zones. Previously, only implemented as trial speed zones in limited areas – for example, parts of Collingwood and Fitzroy in the City of Yarra [2] - the updated policy now recognises 30km/h as a standard option for implementation in specific circumstances. While Councils still need to obtain approval, the limits will no longer need to be applied on a ‘trial’ basis. Policy is similarly updated for implementing 60 - 70km/h limits on divided urban arterial and semi-regional roads ‘where the crash rate or crash risks are unacceptably high at 80 km/h’.
The 30km/h speed zones for local streets are a key recommendation in Victoria’s draft 30-year infrastructure strategy 2025-2055. These policy changes align closely with the Safe System principles and Movement and Place framework, which underpin Victoria’s approach and are recognised as representing global best practice in road safety. Five principles in total inform the Speed Zoning Policy:
Effectiveness
As reported previously in Technical Brief #18, reducing the speed limit from 50km/h to 30km/h can increase pedestrian survival rates by 75% and has generally little effect on car travel times. Designed also to encourage walking and cycling (active travel), slower streets are expected to help reduce car use, thereby lowering transport-related emissions and reducing demand for road maintenance activities.