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guidance. This approach has successfully resulted in a high level of consistency in the establishment of speed limits among roads that have similar characteristics as well as a high level of compliance by road users. This approach is believed to provide the overall safest conditions with fewer crashes by ensuring uniform vehicle operating speeds. Recently changes have been proposed to the MUTCD that would reinforce the idea that other factors, in addition to the 85th-percentile speed, also have a role in setting speed limits including: • Road type and condition • Location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, pedestrian access, etc.) • Sufficient length of roadway (1/4 mile minimum) • Existing traffic control devices (signs, signals, etc.) • Crash history, traffic volume, sight distances (curve, hill, etc.) • Travel speed samples • Test drive results speed study • Road Users (such as pedestrian activity, bicycle activity) 2019 Statute Change Minnesota Statute Section 169.14, subd. 2 was updated August 1, 2019, by the Minnesota State Legislature. The change gave cities the authority to establish speed limits for streets under their jurisdiction without having MnDOT conduct a speed study, and without approval by the Commissioner of Transportation provided that: • Speed limits are implemented in a consistent and understandable manner. • The city erects appropriate signs to display the speed limit. • The city develops procedures to set speed limits based on the city's safety, engineering, and traffic analysis considering national urban speed limit guidance and studies, local traffic crashes, and methods to effectively communicate the change to the public. The change was the result of a request by the city of Minneapolis who wanted to have the ability to modify speeds on local roads to help improve pedestrian safety. A consistent legislative priority for the city was to either lower the statutory speed limit or give Minneapolis or cities of the first class the ability to set their own limits. The state legislature agreed to allow the statute change as requested by Minneapolis, but also felt the authority should be granted to all Minnesota Communities. Alley speeds set 25 mph in residential based on city's own roadways if adopted by 30 mph in engineering and traffic the road authority with urban districts investigations (other proper jurisdiction and than 10 mph require appropriately signed proper signing) No Change No Change No Change Page 137 of 185