Attention: Speed limit reduced on Budapest’s Buda lower embankment
Starting this Friday, the maximum permitted speed on nearly the entire stretch of Budapest’s Buda lower embankment, from Tímár Street to the Rákóczi Bridge, will be reduced to a uniform 50 km/h (31 m/h). The measure, announced by the Budapest Transport Center (BKK) on Thursday, aims to enhance road safety and reduce accidents.
Enhancing safety with lower speed limits
The decision aligns with the traffic safety strategy adopted by the Budapest City Council. Between 2019 and 2023, 51 traffic accidents involving personal injury occurred along this stretch, including one fatality, 15 serious injuries, and 35 minor injuries. Additionally, the embankment sees heavy pedestrian traffic near popular tourist destinations like the Angelo Rotta Promenade and the A38 Ship, BKK writes.
The new speed limit will replace the previous mix of 70 km/h and 50 km/h zones along the 8-kilometer section. The only exception will be around the designated pedestrian crossing and bike path near Nagyszombat Street, where a lower speed limit of 40 km/h will remain in effect.
Minimal impact on travel times
BKK emphasised that the change will have little effect on travel times, as congestion during the day already limits speeds to around 50 km/h or less. Travel times on the embankment are primarily influenced by the capacity of intersections and traffic volume. During off-peak hours at night or early morning, when 70 km/h was previously possible, the new limit is expected to significantly reduce noise pollution.
Data-driven planning for safer roads
The speed limit reduction was carefully planned, incorporating insights from BKK’s predictive modelling system. This artificial intelligence-based tool analysed five years of data to identify high-risk areas where speed limits contribute significantly to collision risks. The model’s recommendations helped prioritise this intervention as part of broader efforts to ensure safer roads for all users, including pedestrians.
BKK underscored that the measure could save lives, particularly those of vulnerable road users, and aligns with the city’s broader commitment to traffic safety. The change is expected to improve not only safety but also the overall experience for residents and visitors along the Buda lower embankment.
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