An Analysis of Speed Limit Policies for Indiana

The repeal of the National maximum Speed Limit law in 1995 enabled individual states to set their own speed limits. Speed limits are necessary to ensure mobility while preserving highway safety. It is important that states continually monitor and evaluate existing operating speeds in the context of changing patterns of travel, and changing characteristics of highways, vehicles, drivers, and land-use. Any efforts to review existing speed limits should be accompanied by evaluation of policy impacts such as safety and economic productivity. The goal of this research is to develop a set of speed limit policy guidelines for the state. The study reviews the historical trends in traffic speed in Indiana and recommends a detailed analysis of the impact of speed limit changes on safety and the trucking industry in Indiana. The report also presents a state-of-the-art practice review and a set of possible actions that may be considered for speed limits in Indiana