Do 20mph speed limits reduce casualties and increase cycling, walking, and liveability in the general population?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10200526 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10200526 |
| Protocol serial number | 15/82/12 |
| Sponsor | University of Edinburgh |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 28/03/2017
- Registration date
- 29/03/2017
- Last edited
- 27/10/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
20mph speed limits aim to encourage more considerate driving, leading to safer streets for all road users. Lower speeds can reduce the risk and severity of road collisions and related casualties. Reducing traffic speed can also help make people feel more confident about being on their streets on foot or by bike, and may help children and elderly people to travel independently and safely. Calmer roads may encourage people to walk and cycle more which, in turn, contribute to less traffic congestion, better health, less noise, more social interaction and stronger communities. There are a range of different ways of introducing 20mph speed limits including the use of signage, street markings, enforcement, and physical traffic calming measures (such as speed humps). In both Edinburgh and Belfast this relies primarily on laws, signage and road markings. This makes it cheaper to introduce than physical calming methods and also reduces maintenance costs over the long term. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of these new 20mph speed limit policies on public health.
Who can participate?
Adults living in or regularly travelling into Edinburgh or Belfast who mainly travel using a motorised vehicle (e.g. car, van, motorcycle, moped)
What does the study involve?
20mph zones are introduced into certain areas of Edinburgh (Scotland) and Belfast (Northern Ireland) by law. People living in or regularly travelling through those areas are asked to fill in a short survey about their views of the 20mph zones and if it has changed their travel behaviour or to take part in a discussion group (focus group) where they are asked about their views of the 20mph zones and if it has changed their travel behaviour. Information is collected at a number of timepoints over a period of 18 months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits or risks for those taking part in the study.
Where is the study run from?
1. Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (UK)
2. Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, The University of Edinburgh (UK)
3. Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2017 to August 2020
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Ruth Jepson
ruth.jepson@ed.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
SCPHRP
20 West Richmond Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1AY
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-9446-445X |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 131 6511592 |
| ruth.jepson@ed.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Observational cohort study |
| Secondary study design | Cohort study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Is 20 plenty for health? Evaluation of the 20mph speed limit networks in Edinburgh and Belfast on a range of public health outcomes |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to evaluate, and understand, the processes and effects of city-wide 20mph legislation in Edinburgh and city-centre wide in Belfast. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Not provided at time of registration |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Public health |
| Intervention | 20mph speed limits are introducted across the cities of Edinburgh and Belfast relying primarily on legislation, signage, education and road markings. The study uses a combination of routinely and locally collected quantitative data, and primary collected quantitative and qualitative data. There are four work packages, each employing different research designs and methods of data collection. Work Package 1: Before-and-after (controlled where possible) studies of Edinburgh and Belfast. As well as identifying matched (geographic) controls, synthetic controls may be derived from the routinely collected data. We will be collecting data on: speed and volume, casualties, walking and cycling, perceptions of the 20mph, and liveability. Data will be collected by a range of organisations including Edinburgh City and Belfast Councils; Sustrans; and Living Streets. Data will be collected at baseline and at various time points post implementation (depending on the outcome being measured). Follow up of all outcomes will be at least 12 months, with some outcomes (e.g. casualties) being analysed at 18 months. Work Package 2: Stakeholder interviews and focus groups with members of the public in Edinburgh and Belfast. Work Package 3: Key informant interviews and workshops across the UK. Work Package 4: Cost utility analysis supplemented with partial cost benefit and cost consequence analyses. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Casualty data is taken from STATS19 accident records (collected nationally by the police) at multiple time points pre and post implementation (up to 18 months) of the 20mph zones. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Walking is assessed through automatic fixed pedestrian counters (collected by Sustrans) and using Route User Surveys (collected by Sustrans) at multiple time points before and after (up to 18 months) implementation of the 20mph zones |
| Completion date | 31/08/2020 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 60 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Living in Edinburgh, Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland or travelling regularly into the cities for the purpose of work, study or other reason. 2. Aged 18 years and over 3. Primarily travel using a motorised vehicle (e.g. car, van, motorcycle, moped) |
| Key exclusion criteria | Not living or working in Edinburgh or Belfast. |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/05/2018 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/01/2019 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Northern Ireland
- Scotland
Study participating centres
Edinburgh
EH8 9DX
United Kingdom
St Leonard's Land
Edinburgh
EH8 8AQ
United Kingdom
Queens University Belfast
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast
BT12 6BA
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 01/09/2022 | 27/10/2022 | Yes | No | |
| Interim results article | Results of Belfast focus groups | 01/07/2021 | 02/09/2021 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
27/10/2022: Publication reference added.
02/09/2021: Publication reference added.
29/11/2018: The recruitment end date was changed from 31/07/2018 to 31/01/2019.
