Speed humps and speed tables

Speed humps are typically paved with asphalt, approximately 3-6 inches high at their center, and extend the full width of the street. The higher the vertical rise, the better the humps work to reduce vehicle speed. This popular traffic calming device has some negative aspects, however. They may delay emergency vehicle response times by 5-10 seconds each, create noise and often shift the speed problem to a parallel adjacent street. Often they have minimal impact on the worst drivers, while punishing the most responsible motorists.

If no other options are available, speed humps should be spaced 400 to 500 feet apart for maximum effect. They should also be part of neighborhood-wide traffic calming

A speed table is essentially a flat-topped speed hump. Speed tables can be a good solution at school crossings, trail crossings and in parking lots. Speed tables are often striped as crosswalks or constructed out of brick pavers. Speed humps and tables must be well-marked and well-lit so that they can be detected from 200-300 feet.

Estimated cost: $2,000 for humps, and $5,000-$15,000 for tables. Prices will vary.

Used for

• Calming traffic on narrow streets where few other measures can be applied.
• Reducing speeds where crosswalks and trails cross local and low-volume collector roadways.
  

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