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Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities
- Source :
- Milton, K, Kelly, M, Baker, G, Cleland, C L, Cope, A, Craig, N, Foster, C E M, Hunter, R, Kee, F, Kelly, P, Nightingale, G, Edinburgh, U, Williams, A J, Woodcock, J & Edinburgh, U 2021, ' Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities ', Journal of Transport and Health, vol. 22, 101141 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101141, Journal of Transport & Health, Milton, K, Kelly, M P, Baker, G, Cleland, C, Cope, A, Craig, N, Foster, C, Hunter, R, Kee, F, Kelly, P, Nightingale, G, Turner, K, Williams, A J, Woodcock, J & Jepson, R 2021, ' Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities ', Journal of Transport and Health, vol. 22, 101141 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101141, Milton, K, Kelly, M P, Baker, G, Cleland, C, Cope, A, Craig, N, Foster, C, Hunter, R, Kee, F, Kelly, P, Nightingale, G, Turner, K, Williams, A J, Woodcock, J & Jepson, R 2021, ' Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities. ', Journal of Transport and Health, vol. 22, 101141 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101141
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Introduction Reductions in traffic speed can potentially offer multiple health and public health benefits. In 2016, implementation of 20mph (30kph) speed limit interventions began in Edinburgh (city-wide) and Belfast (city centre). The aims of this paper are to describe 1) the broad theoretical approach and design of two natural experimental studies to evaluate the 20mph speed limits in Edinburgh and Belfast and 2) how these studies allowed us to test and explore theoretical mechanisms of 20mph speed limit interventions. Methods The evaluation consisted of several work packages, each with different research foci, including the political decision-making processes that led to the schemes, their implementation processes, outcomes (including traffic speed, perceptions of safety, and casualties) and cost effectiveness. We used a combination of routinely and locally collected quantitative data and primary quantitative and qualitative data. Results The evaluation identified many contextual factors influencing the likelihood of 20mph speed limits reaching the political agenda. There were substantial differences between the two sites in several aspects related to implementation. Reductions in speed resulted in significant reductions in collisions and casualties, particularly in Edinburgh, which had higher average speed at baseline. The monetary value of collisions and casualties prevented are likely to exceed the costs of the intervention and thus the overall balance of costs and benefits is likely to be favourable. Conclusions Innovative study designs, including natural experiments, are important for assessing the impact of ‘real world’ public health interventions. Using multiple methods, this project enabled a deeper understanding of not only the effects of the intervention but the factors that explain how and why the intervention and the effects did or did not occur. Importantly it has shown that 20mph speed limits can lead to reductions in speed, collisions and casualties, and are therefore an effective public health intervention.<br />Graphical abstract Image 1<br />Highlights • Natural experiments are useful for evaluating real world public health interventions • This paper presents the methods and findings of two 20mph speed limit interventions • 20mph limits led to reductions in speed, collisions and casualties in both cities • 20mph speed limits are an effective public health intervention • Policymakers should scale up 20mph interventions to improve population health
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Geography, Planning and Development
Transportation
E-NDAS
Natural (archaeology)
Article
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Political science
medicine
Speed limit
Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Evaluation
Environmental planning
speed limit
evaluation
Health Policy
Public health
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Pollution
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Policy
RA Public aspects of medicine
20mph
SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences
Safety Research
RA
policy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Milton, K, Kelly, M, Baker, G, Cleland, C L, Cope, A, Craig, N, Foster, C E M, Hunter, R, Kee, F, Kelly, P, Nightingale, G, Edinburgh, U, Williams, A J, Woodcock, J & Edinburgh, U 2021, ' Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities ', Journal of Transport and Health, vol. 22, 101141 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101141, Journal of Transport & Health, Milton, K, Kelly, M P, Baker, G, Cleland, C, Cope, A, Craig, N, Foster, C, Hunter, R, Kee, F, Kelly, P, Nightingale, G, Turner, K, Williams, A J, Woodcock, J & Jepson, R 2021, ' Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities ', Journal of Transport and Health, vol. 22, 101141 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101141, Milton, K, Kelly, M P, Baker, G, Cleland, C, Cope, A, Craig, N, Foster, C, Hunter, R, Kee, F, Kelly, P, Nightingale, G, Turner, K, Williams, A J, Woodcock, J & Jepson, R 2021, ' Use of natural experimental studies to evaluate 20mph speed limits in two major UK cities. ', Journal of Transport and Health, vol. 22, 101141 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2021.101141
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....40eda323f57014da6a7e6d8345cc1b84