2026 ACEC-NH & NHDOT Technical Exchange Conference

Are Speed Limits a Relic of the Past?
Speakers: Dr. Patricia Tice
Challenges one of the most familiar tools in traffic safety by asking a deeper question: what actually makes drivers slow down? Drawing on human factors research, real-world roadway examples, and New Hampshire’s unique development patterns, this talk reframes speed as an outcome of engagement—not enforcement. By treating driving as a narrative experience, where curves, edges, and intersections act as story beats, the presentation reveals why signs alone so often fail. Attendees will leave with a fresh way of seeing speed, safety, and design—and a practical framework for managing speed without relying solely on numbers on a sign.