Speed
Cushions/Lumps
Why the
fastest growing traffic calming solution has become so popular
| The US Traffic Calming Manual has called them “the new device of choice.” Streetsblog pegged them “inexpensive traffic calming.” Motorists in Europe have been driving over them for decades. What are speed cushions and why are they becoming so popular in the US? | In this issue: What are speed cushions? Emergency response time Effectiveness in slowing cars Fire department approval Constructing cushions On
the streets
Premiering Did you know? Traffic Logix tidbits |
| What are speed cushions? | |
| For many cities, objection from the fire department is one of the primary obstacles to traffic calming. In recent years, speed cushions have opened new vistas to these cities, allowing them to calm their streets without affecting emergency response time. |
| Speed cushions, also known as speed lumps, are a series of small speed humps installed across the width of a roadway. Designed to allow emergency vehicles to straddle the cushions without significantly slowing, the cushions allow fire-rescue vehicles to maintain their speeds. Passenger vehicles, with their narrower wheel base, must slow down to drive over the speed cushions. Unlike speed humps, speed cushions also minimize discomfort for bicyclists, by allowing them to ride between or to the side of the cushions. |  |
| Emergency response time | On the Streets |
| A study conducted in La Habra, California involving the City of Brea and Los Angeles County tested Traffic Logix speed cushions with emergency and passenger vehicles. The fire vehicles drove over the cushions using different approaches to test their effect on responses time. The speeds of the fire vehicles straddling the cushions were similar to their normal operating speeds on local roadways. There was no significant delay for any of the vehicles. You can view a video excerpt of this study here. A similar study conducted in Danville, CA found no delay in response time with speed cushions but a 10 to 15 second delay with speed humps. The effect of a speed cushion on fire trucks is similar to that of driving over a raised manhole cover. |  Chicago takes an “all
at once” approach to road improvement. The city is
undertaking 3
major road projects
at the same time to save commuters misery in the long run. The 3
projects are slated for completion within 3 years. Individually, they
would take 10 years to complete.
|
| Effectiveness in slowing cars | |
| Speed cushions slow cars similar to the way speed humps do. When cushions are designed properly, the narrower wheel base of cars compels motorists to drive over them with either one or both wheels on the cushions. | |
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A study published in the ITE Journal on speed cushion effectiveness in 8 US cities found that cushions reduce the 85th percentile speed by an average of 9 mph. This is similar to the effect of speed humps, which have been shown to reduce the 85th percentile speed by an average of 8 mph. Speed cushions are also available with flat tops similar to speed tables. These cushion-tables slow cars more gradually and are used on higher speed collector roads where emergency access is a concern at a posted speed limit of around 25 mph. |
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| Fire department approval | Did you know? |
| While
many fire departments object to traffic
calming,
especially on primary response routes, speed cushions are often
approved when appropriately designed and demonstrated. At Traffic
Logix, we have seen countless fire departments change their minds about
traffic calming after seeing a speed cushion demonstration. You can view a sample approval letter from the Orange County Fire Department here. |
 You can design your own speed cushions using our design tool to choose, street width, cushion length, and striping design. |
| Constructing cushions | Traffic Logix tidbits |
| Cushions can be constructed of either asphalt or rubber. Rubber cushions are often easier to install since asphalt ones require skilled construction workers to mold the material in place. It can be difficult to create uniformity with asphalt, which is a basic feature with prefabricated rubber cushions. In addition to a consistent profile, Traffic Logix rubber speed cushions can be expanded to any height or width using interlocking rubber panels. This allows for a uniform solution that can be customized to specific speed requirements and road dimensions. | Thanks to our webinar attendees for making our first ever webinar such a success. A recorded version of the webinar as well as the faqs will be available at www.trafficlogix.com within the next few days. |
Questions? Comments? Give us a call or email us at: |
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Traffic Logix
3 Harriett Lane Spring Valley, NY 10977 866-915-6449 |
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