Characteristics of Traffic Flow in 55 and 65 mph Speed Limits
Speed limits have been introduced for many reasons, e.g., to reduce gas consumption, to reduce the frequency and severity
of crashes, and in some cases to reduce noise. The objective of this research effort was to conduct a literature review to
assess the effect of increased speed limits on limited access roads regarding safety, travel speeds, and other unanticipated
impacts including shifts in lane distribution, traffic diversions, and spillover effects. Following are the conclusions:

