search menu flickr twitter phone angle-left angle-right angle-up angle-down file-pdf link-ext doc-inv sitemap location map calendar credit-card clock facebook-squared minus plus cancel ok instagramm download inkwell
Urban Street Design Guide Index

Urban Street Design Guide
Guide Navigation
Purchase Guide
Speed Hump

Speed Hump

Speed humps are parabolic vertical traffic calming devices intended to slow traffic speeds on low volume, low speed roads. Speed humps are 3–4 inches high and 12–14 feet wide, with a ramp length of 3–6 feet, depending on target speed.

Speed humps reduce speeds to 15–20 mph and are often referred to as “bumps” on signage and by the general public.

Click a number for more information

Many residential streets have ample right-of-way for two lanes of travel plus parking, resulting in higher than desired speeds.

Critical

Speed humps shall not be placed in front of driveways or other significant access areas. Where frequent driveways make the application of a speed hump difficult, reduce the overall size of the speed hump, or work with local residents to find a workable solution.

Recommended

Vertical speed control elements shall be accompanied by a sign warning drivers of the upcoming device. (MUTCD W17-1).
+ More Info
Speed humps should be designed to the following criteria:
  • Slopes should not exceed 1:10 or be less steep than 1:25.
  • Side slopes on tapers should be no greater than 1:6.
  • The vertical lip should be no more than a quarter-inch high.
Locate vertical speed control elements where there is sufficient visibility and available lighting.
Spacing for vertical speed controls should be determined based on the target speed of the roadway. Speed humps should be spaced no more than a maximum of 500 feet apart to achieve an 85th percentile speed of 25–35 mph. To achieve greater speed reductions, space speed humps close together.
Speed humps may be applied on 1-way or 2-way roads.
+ More Info

References

+ More Info

Adapted from the Urban Street Design Guide, published by Island Press.

References

References for Speed Humps: 9 found.