Buenos Aires Reduces Speeding to Improve Road Safety
Buenos Aires has implemented traffic calming measures on Saénz Avenue to reduce speeding and enhance pedestrian safety, following a study that identified high incident rates.
The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires has introduced new measures to improve road safety, focusing on the high-density Saénz Avenue corridor, known for its significant traffic and a concerning rate of pedestrian fatalities.
A 2020 study of speeding patterns identified Saénz Avenue as one of four key metropolitan areas with the highest number of incidents involving pedestrians and vehicle users. The study found that approximately 8% of drivers exceeded speed limits, with buses and trucks being more than twice as likely to speed.
As a result, clear signage has been installed to alert drivers to a new, reduced speed limit of 50 km/h. Traffic calming measures, including elevated crossings and a new central island, have been added to enhance pedestrian protection. Additionally, a traffic lane has been removed to create continuous pedestrian crossings and sidewalks.
The city aims for these interventions to reduce serious crashes by 35% and the risk of pedestrian injuries from motor vehicles by 6%. The effectiveness of these safety features is currently under evaluation, with results anticipated in November 2021. The project was undertaken in collaboration with the Partnership for Healthy Cities and the World Resources Institute.