London's innovative 20mph limits and Vision Zero plan priorities safety and sustainability. This article explores the plan's impact, challenges, and how it paves the way for a future with safer, more livable streets.
To make London's roads safer, Transport for London (TfL) has launched a citywide initiative called Vision Zero. This plan includes lowering speed limits to 20 mph across most areas under TfL's control. The ultimate goal? Zero deaths or serious injuries from traffic accidents by 2041.
This intervention aims to improve the city for its residents, making it more livable, inclusive and environmentally sustainable. Through this establishment, TfL wants to rebalance public space, reducing the areas for car traffic in favor of those reserved for cycle paths and pedestrian paths, and creating areas that can be used for social purposes. Currently, nearly half of London’s roads now have a 20mph speed limit in 19 of the 33 boroughs.
The main goal of the Vision Zero plan is to improve London’s overall population safety. The main factors contributing to collisions are speed, risky maneuvers, distraction, drunk/drug driving, and vehicle and driver non-compliance, with speed acting as the biggest one. Looking at the data, we notice that the number of serious injuries more than halved from 2005-2009 to 2020, going from 6,192 to 2974. This is a significant improvement for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who account for 80% of traffic casualties. However, this data is affected by the pandemic with significant falls in people visiting and walking in the city. Despite these good results, we’re going towards more modest improvement, a trend that other cities are facing. This is because the volume of motorized traffic in London remains high and is not falling as it is fueled by people driving for work, such as food or shopping couriers. Drivers are under pressure because of tight time limits, unfamiliarity with the streets and lower safety precautions.
A common misconception is that driving slower leads to using more fuel and thus polluting more. Fuel use is more impacted by driving style and gear choice, not by the speed limit. Generally, people who drive at a steady pace save more fuel. Research by Imperial University suggests that London’s 20mph zones have no net negative effect on emissions and improve driving style. Congestion is the leading determinant of pollution in London, its impacts depend on driving style, average speed, weather conditions and pollutant dispersion. Shifting travel habits towards walking and cycling not only reduces car dominance, but also promotes physical and mental well-being while lowering noise pollution, creating a healthier city for everyone.
The UN placed environmental concerns at the forefront of 1972 with the Stockholm Declaration. Twenty years later, in 1992, Graz, a south Austrian city was the first city in Europe to implement a 30 km/h area covering 80% of the streets. This success story was followed by similar initiatives in Helsinki, Brussels, Zurich, and Glasgow, all witnessing significant reductions in accidents and a shift towards positive public opinion surrounding these slower speed zones. In 2020, the United Nations General Assembly committed to address the 1.3 million lives lost every year on the world's roads. The goal is to halve the number of people killed or injured in the streets by 2030 by focusing on speed management, through 30 km/h areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix.
While 20 mph speed limits aim to improve road safety, achieving widespread compliance remains a challenge. Government data shows a significant gap between intended speeds and driver behavior. In 2021, a high percentage (87%) of drivers exceeded 20mph limits, compared to 51% on 30mph roads. London’s Metropolitan Police uses speed cameras to reinforce the limit with a ‘10% +2mph’ threshold for enforcement. Moreover, a study found that the introduction of 20mph limits increased journey times by 3% in residential areas and 5% in city-center areas.
Vision Zero next steps include using new technologies to measure the characteristics leading to road danger on the streets to proactively tackle danger before it leads to collisions. Moreover, we’ve seen a surge in popularity of in-vehicle safety features such as Pedestrian Autonomous Emergency Braking and Intelligent Speed Assistance. The former is used for braking in the imminency of a pedestrian crash, while the latter aids drivers’ speed control. These technologies will contribute to a reduction in the number of collisions which result from human error, resulting in safer streets in the future. Acknowledging concerns about potentially longer journeys, the program prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, creating a safer environment for everyone.
In conclusion, London's 20mph speed limits and Vision Zero plan demonstrate the power of prioritizing safety and creating a more livable city. By embracing innovative technologies, encouraging sustainable alternatives, and fostering collaboration, London paves the way for a future where streets are safer for everyone. This success story can inspire other cities to join the movement and create a global shift towards Vision Zero, saving lives and fostering healthier communities.
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