Laredo, TX puts speed
hump program on pause,
explores speed cushions
| Why Laredo needed a change | In
this issue: Why Laredo needed a change Exploring alternatives Choosing Traffic Logix Customizable solutions Looking ahead A Note from Traffic Logix: The end of a decade |
| For nearly 10 years, the city of Laredo, TX has been using speed humps to slow cars down. But around a year ago, the speed hump program hit a bit of a bump itself. |
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The
Laredo fire department began to object to the speed humps, concerned
for the delay they caused in emergency response time.
For
the past year,
the only traffic
calming installed on Laredo roads was inside school
zones. The fire department approved humps at school crossing locations
but objected to them being placed in any residential areas.
While
the speed
humps the city had been using were effective in slowing cars, the fire
department was concerned about their effect on response time.
The
city responded
by starting a pilot program of speed
cushions, a speeding deterrent
designed with the needs of emergency vehicles in mind.
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| Exploring alternatives | |
The
city began exploring alternatives to slow speeding cars and discovered rubber
speed cushions. Unlike speed humps that extend the width of
the
road, speed cushions are designed in a series of several small humps
with spaces between them.
The cushions allow emergency vehicles to straddle them when passing so that both wheels stay on the road. Cars must actually drive over the cushions, which cause them to lower their speeds.
The cushions allow emergency vehicles to straddle them when passing so that both wheels stay on the road. Cars must actually drive over the cushions, which cause them to lower their speeds.
The primary factor for the winning bid was pricing, but the city didn’t want to rely just on good pricing. They explored the product features and were pleased with the simple installation process, solid rubber construction, and patented interlocking feature that keeps the cushions securely in place.
The Traffic Logix speed cushions have been tested and approved by fire departments throughout the country. When the city contacted local cities that had purchased the products, they provided raving reviews.
| The
Traffic Logix speed cushions are customizable and the city chose the
width, length, and arrow color and direction. While a one-of-a-kind
online tool let’s cities design their solutions on
their own, the
company provided assistance in making sure the cushions were exactly as
the city wanted them. |
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| "Their customer service was really excellent," said Manuel Benavides, Engineering Technician. |
“They helped us customize our cushions with the arrows just the way we needed,” said Manuel Benavides, Engineering Technician with the City of Laredo Traffic Safety Division. “They also kept us posted on product delivery and even offered to help with installation. Their customer service was really excellent.” |
The 3 sets of cushions
the city purchased will be installed in early 2010 when testing
locations are decided on. The city anticipates that the installation
process will be even quicker than the products they used in the past,
which had an iron bar in the cushion’s center. The Traffic
Logix
cushions instead rely on patented interlocking units and a secure
anchor system for stability.
Once the products are installed, the Laredo fire department will test them to see how they affect response time. If approved, speed cushions will become the city standard on Laredo roads.
Once the products are installed, the Laredo fire department will test them to see how they affect response time. If approved, speed cushions will become the city standard on Laredo roads.
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The end of a decade |
| As the first decade of the century draws to a close, we would like to thank all our customers for helping us make the streets of your cities safer and more livable. |
Traffic
calming
has burgeoned over the past decade in the United States as more and
more cities began to implement solutions to traffic safety issues. Our
dynamic line of products helps you do just that.
At
Traffic Logix, we pride ourselves on responding to your needs and the
needs of your organization, providing a full range of intuitive traffic
calming solutions designed to address the different speed concerns you
face. May the next year, and the next decade, bring health,
happiness, and safety to all of our lives and the streets we live on.
Happy holidays!
| Traffic
Logix 3 Harriett Lane Spring Valley, NY 10977 866-915-6449 info@trafficlogix.com www.trafficlogix.com |
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