What is a speed cushion?

A Speed cushion is a slightly raised driveway surface that is excessively used to calm traffic. The gaps between the rumbled bump allow the emergency vehicle to pass easily. They can be installed on city streets or urban roads where there is a high percentage of traffic and pedestrians.

Speed cushions can safely improve traffic safety without police enforcement, unlike other traffic speed control devices that require the presence of police.

These rubber speed management devices can be placed wherever required, and they can also be removed easily.

Top FAQs about speed cushions!

Rubbber speed cushions are slightly raised bumps in the road that are used by the Department of Transportation for traffic speed reduction, similar to traffic cones, traffic signs, speed breakers, rumble strips, speed signs and red light signals.

These speed tables are installed by transportation engineers for pedestrian safety at high-traffic areas such as double lanes, road crossings, pedestrian crossings, traffic signals, roundabouts, parking lots, ramps, street parking, public works, etc.

The road bumps are sometimes made of rubber or recycled plastic. The reflective surface lets drivers easily see the pavement markings from a distance. The bumps in the road allow cyclists, motorists and emergency vehicles to pass easily. Given below are some of the most frequently asked questions related to speed tables.

How are speed cushions different from speed tables and speed humps?

Speed cushions have wheel cuts to allow emergency vehicles to pass easily without any difficulty. But they reduce the speed of cars and other small vehicles.

Bikes and cycles can also pass through these bumps without any difficulty. Moreover, the gaps between the bumps help drainage of excess water from city streets and roads.

Speed humps and speed tables are continuously bumped at every curb. They reduce the speed of all vehicles to a safe limit. This means that their presence will also affect vehicles of large sizes, such as ambulances and fire trucks.

Are speed cushions effective in reducing speed?

Yes, speed cushions are very effective in reducing the speed of vehicles. They are one of the best traffic calming measures to control traffic in slow zone areas.

They are strategically installed using traffic engineering in high-traffic areas to slow down vehicles forcefully. Their effect depends on their geographical location. It is very useful in some countries where emergency vehicles are bigger than other vehicles.

However, speed cushions might not be very effective in countries where emergency vehicles are the same size as normal. But it still reduces the risk of road hazards.

Will it cause any damage to my car?

No, speed cushions don’t cause any harm to the vehicles that move over them. They are very low in height, which is meant only to slow down traffic.

Speed cushions are only installed for the safety of vehicles and pedestrians in the neighbourhood. They reduce the speed of the vehicles to a safe speed of around 25 mph.

The drivers are informed about the presence of speed cushions beforehand through signboards. Therefore, they can control the vehicle’s speed before reaching the bump. If they fail to reduce their speed, they experience a slight jerk as the tyres hit the speed cushion. But this does not cause any harm.

Why is its use getting common, and what will it cost?

Speed is the top reason for accidents in residential areas. City management is very much concerned about the safety of its residents. Therefore, they are excessively installing speed cushions on roads to avoid unfortunate events.

The cost required for installing speed cushions depends on the road where you want to place them. Its cost also varies depending upon the material used for its manufacturing.

Its placement cost ranges from low to high, depending on the width of the pathway. It will be much higher for broader roads than for narrower ones.

Will it cause any delay in emergency situations?

No, speed cushions cause no time delay in emergency events. They are designed to allow emergency vehicles to pass easily but force cars and other private vehicles to reduce their speed to a safe limit.

When every second is precious in critical situations, the regular speed humps will cause resistance in the way of emergency vehicles. This delay can cause serious loss.

But using speed cushions on busy streets and roads will cause the emergency vehicle to arrive on time. This is one of the most significant advantages of speed cushion over speed humps and tables.

Learn more: Top FAQs about speed cushions!

Definition of a speed cushion

Speed cushions are asphalt or rubber-shaped mounds that are slightly raised from the road’s surface to reduce speed. They are installed in high-traffic areas where vehicles have a higher chance of collision with pedestrians or other vehicles.

They have wheel cuts between the bumps for the tyres of emergency vehicles. Thus allowing larger vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks to cross them without delay in critical situations.

But, other smaller vehicles with small axle widths are forced to lower their speed up to 25 miles per hour.

The painted white lines that are visible from a distance warn the drivers to slow down their speed before reaching the speed cushion. If the driver does not reduce the vehicle’s speed, they get a sudden jerk as the tyres hit the speed cushion surface.

Different names for speed cushions

Speed cushion is used for managing the traffic flow near areas having high traffic, such as schools, hospitals, roundabouts, crosswalks, pedestrian crossings etc.

They come in numerous varieties depending on the installation location and the material used for manufacturing.

They are strategically designed by engineers a little above the road’s surface to safely reduce the speed of vehicles without causing any harm.

It is also known for its other names, such as speed lump, speed pillow, sleeping policeman, road bump, traffic-management device, speed breaker, speed table, traffic control device, offset speed bump and judder bar, etc.

Why is a speed cushion better than installing a speed limit sign?

A speed limit sign is a traffic signal that is placed on the urban pavement where the traffic volume is high, and the vehicles have a greater probability of hitting a pedestrian. But this kind of stop sign has a risk of being ignored by the drivers, which increases the chances of road hazards.

Comparatively, speed cushions are a better option for managing traffic. They have gaps between road bumps, which allow emergency vehicles to pass easily in emergencies without wasting a second.

Also, speed cushions forcefully reduce the speed of other vehicles with smaller widths as they cannot pass through the wheel cuts because of their dimensions.

They are a safer way to control the traffic flow without causing any harm to the vehicle or driver.

Conclusion

Speed cushions are road hurdles designed to slow down fast-moving vehicles on the roadway with high traffic, such as schools, crosswalks, cut-throughs, road intersections, ramps and sidewalks, etc. They have spaces between the bumps that allow the passing of emergency vehicles. Moreover, they help to drain water from the roadway.

They come in a variety of options suitable for different locations. You can select one depending on your needs and budget.

They are becoming more common than speed humps and tables as they have an intelligent design that strategically controls speeding traffic on urban roads. Also, they reduce the speed of the vehicle without causing any damage.