Speed Bumps: An Affordable, Temporary Solution for Traffic Control

Speed bumps are a cost-effective and temporary way to manage traffic speeds. Typically made from plastic or rubber, they are easy to install, move, or remove as needed. Temporary installations are especially useful for testing the effectiveness of speed bumps in specific areas.

Why Choose Temporary Speed Bumps?

• Adaptable installation: Ideal for areas with frequent snowplow activity, where permanent solutions may cause damage.
• Testing purposes: Allows for trial periods to assess impact before making a long-term commitment.

Impact of Speed Bumps

While effective at reducing vehicle speeds, speed bumps come with potential drawbacks:

• Increased noise: Vehicles crossing speed bumps generate more noise, particularly in residential areas.
• Higher fuel consumption: Frequent braking and acceleration can lead to more fuel usage.
• Vehicle wear and tear: Over time, crossing speed bumps can cause stress on vehicle components.
• Winter safety concerns: In snowy conditions, speed bumps can be damaged by snowplows, posing an additional hazard.

Speed Humps: A Smoother Alternative for Heavy Vehicles

Speed humps, while still effective, have a gentler impact on heavy vehicles. In areas with slow-moving traffic, they allow vehicles to pass with less noise and disruption, making them a more cost-efficient option for roads with frequent heavy vehicle use.

The safety of speed bumps

The safety of speed bumps has been questioned in recent years. Courts have found that these devices are not the most appropriate traffic calming options. In many cases, speed bumps are unnecessary and create a lot of expenses in terms of maintenance.

Additionally, they create an unacceptable delay in emergency response time. They also impede pedestrian safety, create noise pollution, and disfigure the neighborhood. While these measures may seem harmless, the impact can have dire consequences.

Why do some people don’t feel the need for speed bumps?

Despite the benefits, some people do not see the need for speed bumps. Some people choose to ignore them and drive around them, while others simply try to avoid them. Others choose to ignore them and drive slowly over them.

Some do not even stop at the bump, but simply drive around it several times. Despite the obvious benefits, many motorists simply don’t take the time to think about the impact of speed bumps on their driving habits.

Slowing down traffic

Speed bumps are designed to slow traffic and increase safety. They are designed to be low-speed obstacles, with a maximum comfortable speed of five miles per hour. The most appropriate locations for speed bumps are parking lots and private roads.

In cities with high-speed limits, speed tables are more suitable for such areas. The policy also outlines the implementation of speed humps in a community. This way, it will help to keep the road as safe as possible for all users.

Before installing speed bumps, the city must first complete a speed study. To qualify, the county must study at least 1000 vehicles per day and 30% of the drivers must exceed the speed limit by 5 mph.

Once the study is complete, a petition must be mailed to every household in the evaluation area. It will contain a preliminary placement for the speed humps and a set price for installation. Once the petition is signed by 90% of the community, the speed hump installation process can proceed.

Explaining the differences

The difference between a speed bump and a speed hump is in the height. A speed bump is usually six inches high, whereas a high speed hump is only three or four inches high. A speed bump will cause a sudden change in height, and it will cause a small jolt in a driver’s car. In addition to the reduction in speed, it also causes drivers to look for pedestrians.

In comparison to street signs, speed humps are more effective for reducing traffic, as drivers are more likely to check for pedestrians when they pass them. Unlike street signs, speed bumps are made from similar materials. The materials used are plastic, concrete, or asphalt.