Following implementation of the new 80km/h speed limit on SH5 between Rangitāiki and Esk Valley on 18 Feb 2022, Waka Kotahi committed to undertaking an independent review of the speed limit change.
The review was undertaken by Ernst and Young (EY), looking at the costs and benefits of the speed limit change in the 12-month period from March 2022 to February 2023.
The independent EY review finds that the change to 80km/h speed limits on SH5 has led to improved economic outcomes for New Zealanders in the first 12 months since they were introduced. The review’s findings include:
- approximately 34 crashes were avoided in the year following introduction of the speed limit change, in addition to reductions in the severity of crashes which did occur, resulting in estimated total safety benefits valued at around $93m for the year.
- travel time increases of between 0.5 to 2.8 seconds per km travelled were calculated, equivalent to increased journey times of between 36 seconds and 3.6 minutes across a single journey on the 76km section of highway, resulting in a total travel time cost increase valued at $1.3 million for the year.
Waka Kotahi intends to repeat the economic impact analysis after five years of data is available in order to provide a more detailed long-term analysis of the safety and economic impacts of the speed limit changes. The five-yearly review will also examine the contribution of other factors to safety and economic outcomes on SH5, including planned infrastructure improvements as well as additional investment in road maintenance.
The EY analysis, along with peer reviews by Ascari and AECOM, can be viewed from the links below.
