Collector and Local Street Speed Reduction Pilot Program
On February 12, 2024, the Traffic and Parking Commission approved a speed limit reduction on 10 collector and local streets that are ineligible for vertical measures, but still merit safety improvements. This initiative under Vision Zero, intends to create safer conditions for all street users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, transit riders, as well as drivers. Lower speeds on urban streets allow for longer reaction times and lower severity of injuries when crashes do occur, while minimally affecting travel times.
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) Operations Division will begin installing the new signs on the selected streets spring 2024.
- Collectors and Local Street Speed Reduction Pilot Program: Executive Summary
- Collectors and Local Street Speed Reduction Pilot Program: Street Limits
General Services District (GSD) Speed Limit Reduction
On July 6, 2023 Metro Council passed BL2023-1887, effectively lowering the speed limits from 30 to 25 miles per hour on local neighborhood streets in the General Services District (GSD).
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) began taking inventory of current signage and a materials order was placed summer 2023. In October 2023, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) Operations Division began installing the new signs on local neighborhood streets in the General Services District. As of Friday, December 1 the Nashville Department of Transportation has finished replacing all of the speed limit signs.
List of Speed Limit Reductions
Urban Services District (USD) Speed Limit Reduction
On January 18, 2020, Mayor John Cooper committed to a Vision Zero strategy to achieve zero deaths on Metro roadways. Since then, we have been working on the Neighborhood Speed Limit Reduction initiative as an important early step in meeting the goals of Vision Zero.
Nashville changed many speed limit signs from 30 mph to 25 mph in order to set a new baseline for appropriate speeds in the city. Neighborhood speed is a leading quality-of-life issue and Nashville’s residents deserve safe streets that are comfortable for all users: pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
We have 244 neighborhoods in the queue for our Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. The Neighborhood Speed Limit Reduction initiative would lower the speed limit on the vast majority of streets in neighborhoods that have applied. More investment will still be needed in the form of infrastructure but lowering the speed limit is an appropriate first step in neighborhoods that require calming.
What streets will this apply to?
Metro streets are classified as arterials, collectors, and locals. This change applies to local streets in the Urban Services District. A few local streets that already have speed limits less than 25 mph or that serve select non-residential areas will be exempt.
Residents can check the map below to see which streets will have the lower speed limit. If questions persist, contact hubNashville online or by calling 311.
Implementation and Cost
The Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) replaced approximately 2,500 speed limit signs. For maximum efficiency, we followed the standing brush pick-up rotation schedule and the signing change was completed in approximately 6 months. The sign replacement cost approximately $85,000. We achieved a major cost savings by using Metro’s existing field crews.
Enforcement
This effort is being led by the Nashville Department of Transportation and the goal is to reestablish a new, lower baseline speed limit. While enforcement plays an important role in speed management overall, the department does not expect or intend for the Metro Nashville Police Department to increase enforcement activity as part of this initiative. We anticipate future additional infrastructure projects to help reinforce the slower speed limit where needed, and all of Nashville’s residents can help promote compliance by being attentive to the new speed limit.
Additional Resources
Other cities have implemented a speed limit reduction initiative, and many are seeing positive impacts in their communities. Cities like Boston, Minneapolis, and Portland, Oregon have all recently lowered speed limits.
- Speed limit changes have big impacts
- Why speed kills cities
- Boston’s new default speed limit 25 mph effective January 9, 2017
- The speed limit is now officially 20 mph in Minneapolis and St. Paul. What that means and how it could affect street life in the cities
- Analysis indicates 20 mph speed limit reduced driving speeds