Speed Bumps And Speed Humps

Intersection Humps/Raised Intersections
continued from Raised Crosswalks

Intersection humps raise the roadway at the intersection, forming a type of “plateau” across the intersection, with a ramp on each approach.  The plateau is at curb level and can be enhanced through the use of distinctive surfacing such as pavement coloring, brickwork, or other pavements. In some cases, the distinction between roadway and sidewalk surfaces is blurred. If this is done, physical obstructions such as bollards or planters should be considered, restricting the area to which motor vehicles have access.

Design Considerations:
• Ramps should not exceed a maximum gradient of 16 percent.
• Raised and/or textured surfaces can be used to alert drivers to the need for particular care.
• Distinctive surfacing helps reinforce the concept of a “calmed” area and thus plays a part in reducing vehicle speeds.
• Distinctive surfacing materials should be skid-resistant, particularly on inclines.
• Ramps should be clearly marked to enable bicyclists to identify and anticipate them, particularly under conditions of poor visibility.
• Care must be taken so the visually impaired have adequate cues to identify the roadway’s location (e.g., tactile strips). Color contrasts will aid those who are partially sighted.

Next… Traffic Calming - Reducing Street Area Where Motor Vehicle Traffic is a Priority.

Traffic Calming? What is it?

According to our friends at the Instutute of Transportation Engineers:

Traffic Calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users.¹

Traffic calming goals include:

• increasing the quality of life;
• incorporating the preferences and requirements of the people using the area (e.g., working, playing, residing) along the street(s), or at intersection(s);
• creating safe and attractive streets;
• helping to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicles on the environment (e.g., pollution, sprawl); and
• promoting pedestrian, cycle and transit use.¹

Traffic calming objectives include:

• achieving slow speeds for motor vehicles,
• reducing collision frequency and severity,
• increasing the safety and the perception of safety for non-motorized users of the street(s),
• reducing the need for police enforcement,
• enhancing the street environment (e.g., street scaping),
• encouraging water infiltration into the ground,
• increasing access for all modes of transportation, and
• reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic.

¹Lockwood, Ian. ITE Traffic Calming Definition. ITE Journal, July 1997, pg. 22.

This excellent article just about says it all.  It not only defines what traffic calming is it also provdes the objectives and goals of traffic calming devices.

As I am sure you can tell from this excerpt, the ITE traffic calming website is an excellent resource to use when you need information about speed bumps, speed humps, speed tables or any other type of traffic calming device.  So check it out!