Speed Bumps: Good or Not?
Curated by
altamira
3 min read
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Speed bumps and humps are controversial traffic calming measures designed to slow vehicles and improve safety. While effective at reducing speeds, they come with drawbacks like vehicle damage, increased noise, and emergency response delays. Rubber speed bumps offer some environmental benefits by using recycled materials and reducing emissions through slower driving, but alternatives like asphalt, concrete, and innovative materials are also used. The choice of speed bump material and design involves balancing factors like durability, cost, environmental impact, and effects on vehicles.
Speed Bumps Pros and Cons by Unimat Traffic
Speed bumps offer several advantages for traffic calming, but also come with notable drawbacks according to Unimat Traffic:
Pros:
- Effectively reduce vehicle speeds in residential areas and parking lots1
- Relatively low-cost and easy to install compared to other traffic calming measures1
- Increase pedestrian safety, especially near schools and playgrounds1
- Self-enforcing, requiring no police presence to be effective1
- Can cause damage to vehicle suspensions and undercarriages if driven over too quickly1
- Increase noise levels from vehicles braking and accelerating1
- May delay emergency response vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks2
- Can divert traffic to nearby streets, potentially just shifting the speeding problem1
3 sources
Best Materials for Speed Bumps
sinoconcept.co.uk
Flexible materials like rubber, thermoplastic, and polyurethane are optimal for constructing speed bumps that minimize vehicle damage. These materials compress upon impact, absorbing force and protecting vehicle undercarriages1. Key advantages include:
- Reduced jarring effect at low speeds
- Good traction and skid-resistance
- Weather-resistant and low-maintenance
- Highly visible with bright coloring
- Easy installation and removal
1 source
Environmental Benefits of Rubber
sinoconcept.co.uk
Utilizing recycled materials, particularly old tires, in the production of rubber speed bumps significantly reduces landfill waste and the need for virgin rubber1. These eco-friendly traffic calming devices contribute to lower vehicle emissions by encouraging gradual acceleration and deceleration2. Additionally, their installation requires minimal excavation, preserving natural habitats and vegetation that help filter air pollutants3. However, it's crucial to properly maintain and dispose of worn-out rubber speed bumps to maximize their environmental benefits and prevent the release of rubber particles into the ecosystem.
3 sources
Alternatives to Rubber Speed Bumps
sinoconcept.co.uk
While rubber remains popular, alternative materials for speed bumps include asphalt, concrete, thermoplastic, polyurethane, recycled plastic, and metal. Each option offers unique advantages:
- Asphalt integrates seamlessly with existing road surfaces
- Concrete provides exceptional durability for high-traffic areas
- Thermoplastic and polyurethane offer flexibility similar to rubber
- Recycled plastic presents an eco-friendly alternative
- Metal speed bumps suit industrial settings with heavy vehicle traffic
2 sources
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