TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 1, 1985

Speed (Road) Bumps: Issues and Opinions

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 111, Issue 4

Abstract

Speed (road) bumps are controversial. Despite their effectiveness as a speed deterrent device, the use has not been widespread in the United States. A majority of traffic professionals are strongly opposed to the use of these bumps on public right‐of‐way. Liability and safety remain the primary concerns. The current trend is to use “humps” instead of “bumps” which are flatter.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Allen, C. D., and Walsh, L. B., “A Bumpy Road Ahead?,” Traffic Engineering, Oct., 1975, pp. 11–14.
2.
Allen, C. D., and Walsh, L. B., “A Study of Speed Bumps,” Department of Public Works, The City of San Jose, Calif., Oct., 1975.
3.
Baumgaertner, W. E., et al., “Annapolis, Maryland Speed Study,” Henningson, Durham, and Richardson, Inc., Sept., 1981.
4.
Box, P. C., “Letter to Editor,” ITE Journal, Mar., 1983, p. 6.
5.
California Traffic Control Devices Committee, “Subcommittee Report on Pavement Undulations (Road Bumps),” Final Report, Oct., 1983.
6.
Chadda, H. S., “Speed Bump Survey,” D.C. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C., Feb., 1984.
7.
“City of Vicksburg, Mississsippi vs. Harralson,” 136 MISS 872, 101 So. 713 39ALR 777, (Mississippi Supreme Court, Nov. 17, 1924).
8.
Clement, J. P., “Letter to Editor,” ITE Journal, Mar., 1983, pp. 6–7.
9.
Clement, J. P., “Speed Humps and the Thousand Oaks Experience,” Traffic Engineering Division, City of Thousand Oaks, Sept., 1982.
10.
Cutro, J., “The Use of Speed‐Humps in Rockville: The Lewis Avenue Demonstration,” Department of Public Works, Rockville, Md., Feb., 1983.
11.
Davis, A. D., “Speed Bumps Enjoined in Connecticut,” “Letter to Editor,” ITE Journal, Vol. 50, No. 5, May, 1980, p. 16.
12.
Jarvis, J. R., “The Off‐Road Testing of Road Humps for Use Under Australian Conditions,” Proceedings of 10th ARRB Conference, Traffic Australian Road Research Board, Vol. 4, Aug., 1980.
13.
Jivatode, G. R., and Burke, T., “Neighborhood Speed Control Demonstration Project,” D.C. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C., Jan., 1982.
14.
Pettersson, H., “Pro Med Hastighets‐d' ampande ppi vagbanan pa tre gator i Gotebory, (Speed, Reducing Bumps. Tests in Three Streets in Gothenburg),” VII Report No. 176, National Road and Traffic Inst., 1979.
15.
Pivnik, S. I., “Neighborhood Speed Control Liability Considerations,” a paper presented at the Transportation Research Board, Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., Jan., 1984.
16.
Smith, D. T., Jr., et al., “State of the Art: Residential Traffic Management,” Report No. FHWA/RD‐80/092, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C., Dec., 1980.
17.
“Speed Hump Monitoring Program,” Special questionnaire sent to cities, counties and States by City of Thousands Oaks, Calif., 1983.
18.
Sumner, R., and Baguely, C., “Speed Control Humps in Norwich and Haringey, TRRL Report No. SR 423, U.K. Department of the Environment, 1978.
19.
Sumner, R., and Baguely, C., “Speed Control Humps on Residential Roads,” TRRL Report No. R878, U.K. Department of the Environment, 1979.
20.
Stephens, B. W., “Overview of FHWA Survey of Road Hump Experience,” a presentation made at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., Jan., 1984.
21.
Stephens, B. W., “A Synthesis: Road Humps for the Control of Vehicular Speeds and Traffic Throughout,” Draft Final Report, Federal Highway Administration, Mar., 1983.
22.
Watts, G. R., “Road Humps for the Control of Vehicle Speeds,” TRRL Reports LR597, Transport and Road Research Lab., 1973.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 111Issue 4July 1985
Pages: 410 - 418

History

Published online: Jul 1, 1985
Published in print: Jul 1985

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Himmat S. Chadda, M. ASCE
Asst. Chief, Data Analysis Branch, Bureau of Traffic Services, D.C. Dept. of Public Works, Washington, D.C.
Seward E. Cross
Deputy Bureau Chief, Bureau of Traffic Services, D.C. Dept. of Public Works, Washington, D.C.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share