In 2020, the Ministry of Transport issued the "Design Specification for Highway Speed Limit Signs" (JTG/T 3381-02-2020), a recommended standard for the highway engineering industry, which came into effect on November 1, 2020. The standard aims to further standardize the design of highway speed limit signs, scientifically demonstrate and select highway speed limit values, and rationally control the speed of vehicles on highways to better ensure road traffic safety. Based primarily on the national standard "Road Traffic Signs and Markings Part 5: Speed Limits" (GB 5768.5-2017), the specification details the division of highway speed limit sections, the demonstration of speed limit values, and the selection of speed limit methods. It features basic adaptability, its main content is based on relevant scientific research results and application experience, and it balances traffic safety and operational efficiency.
The specification clarifies terms such as statutory speed limits and sign speed limits, establishes a methodology for speed limit decisions through traffic engineering demonstration methods, proposes minimum length requirements for general and special speed limit sections on highways, and emphasizes the leading role of highway function in speed management.
