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The speed limit will be lowered to 60 mph on four highway sections in an effort to reduce air pollution.
Highways England plans to introduce the test at the end of September to improve air quality on the roads.
The move targets areas that have been identified with high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from car engines.
NO2 is a pollutant that aggravates the airways of the human respiratory system and is said to be linked to 40,000 premature deaths a year.
The four locations where the test will take place are junctions 6 to 7 of the M6 (near Witton), junctions 34 to 33 of the M1 (near Rotherham), junctions 1 to 3 of the M602 (near Eccles) and junctions 1 to 2 of the M5 (near Oldbury).
Each location is up to 4.5 miles long, and the new speed limits will be operational 24 hours a day.
The reduced speed limits will be evaluated after 12 months to see if they are having an impact or if the air quality level is in compliance.
Highways England, the state company responsible for maintaining England’s highways, said in a statement: “Emission limits are measured in annual average figures, so restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day to improve air quality. “.
The company has said it is committed to meeting the targets of the government’s NO2 plan, which aims to reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations on highways.
Their research suggests that there will be a reduction in NO2 when traffic speed is reduced from 70 mph to 60 mph.
The speed limits will not affect larger commercial vehicles, which are already limited to 56 mph.
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Highways England said enforcement of the limits is a matter for the police.
Ivan Le Fevre, Highways England’s head of environment, said: “We have a duty to address the air quality in our network and as part of this we are testing 60 mph speed limits on short sections of our network where they must take action.
“Ultimately, the air quality challenge will be solved ‘at the tailpipe’ by vehicle manufacturers and changes in vehicle use. Until this happens, we will continue our extensive research and solutions program. pioneers.
“The speed limit test will remain in effect until the shift to cleaner vehicles means we can remove the restrictions and maintain cleaner air.”
