The Russian Ministry of Transport is developing a new system for determining speed limits on roads. Instead of uniform approaches, the maximum permitted speed is planned to be set individually for each section, taking into account its specific characteristics. The new methodological recommendations could come into force in 2027.
Several factors will be considered when choosing the speed limit: road surface condition, traffic intensity, number of lanes, presence of dividing barriers, as well as nearby schools, residential areas, shopping centers, and other objects.
After the new methodology is implemented, specialists will analyze its effectiveness and, if necessary, adjust individual parameters. Initially, these will only be recommendations. In the future, a unified procedure for establishing speed limits is planned to be created based on them.
The State Duma believes that the existing system in many cases no longer corresponds to modern roads and cars. Rafael Mardanshin, Deputy Chairman of the Transport Committee, noted that on some high-quality highways, limits of 50 or 70 km/h are still in effect, although their characteristics allow for significantly faster movement without compromising safety.
Another problem remains temporary road signs, which often continue to restrict speed even after repairs are completed. According to the parliamentarian, such restrictions should be promptly lifted immediately after the reasons for their introduction are eliminated.
The National Automobile Union also proposes a large-scale revision of existing speed limits. Anton Shaparin, Vice-President of the organization, believes that when making such decisions, it is necessary to use accident analysis and modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence technologies.
Auto expert Pyotr Shkumatov drew attention to the problem of the so-called "jerky" driving mode, where drivers constantly have to slow down and then accelerate again due to numerous unjustified restrictions. In his opinion, for modern four-lane highways, a logical standard could be a limit of 110 km/h, and for ordinary two-lane roads – 90 km/h.
Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of "Za Rulem" magazine, also believes that the characteristics of many new Russian highways already allow for a revision of existing restrictions. As an example, he cites the federal highway "Tavrida", where the established speed limit, in his opinion, does not fully correspond to the capabilities of modern road infrastructure.
Experts note that an individual approach to setting speed limits is already applied in a number of countries and allows simultaneously increasing traffic safety, making traffic flows more uniform, and reducing travel time.
At the same time, final decisions on increasing or decreasing the permitted speed will be made only after analyzing specific road conditions, and not automatically for all roads of the same type.
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