The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) recently published Md Shakir Mahmud, Ph.D.'s, research paper, “Quantifying The Environmental Effects of Speed Limit Policy—A Case Study From Michigan,” in the August 2023 edition of ITE Journal. Co-authors include Michigan State University’s Timothy J. Gates, and University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center’s Meghna Chakraborty, Ph.D. Their research examines the impacts of speed limit changes on vehicle operating speeds, fuel consumption, and tailpipe emissions based on data collected from selected freeways and non-freeways in Michigan.
The Michigan case study featured found that a new speed limit policy led to higher operating speeds for drivers, resulting in decreased fuel economy and increased fuel consumption and emissions. The study concluded by suggesting future research be conducted to explore individual vehicle configurations, and alternative engines and electric vehicles.
This is Shakir’s second paper featured in ITE Journal in 2023, preceded by the award-winning student paper, “A Comprehensive Evaluation of Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs on Freeway Interchange Ramps.”
Read the full article in the August 2023 ITE Journal.