Speed Bumps vs Speed Humps

12 Nov 2020 Traffic Control

While speed limits are designed to help encourage slower, safer driving in certain areas, posted speed limits can be ignored or missed altogether. Speed bumps and speed humps are both physical obstacles that are used in traffic management to help force drivers to slow down; however, even though the terms “speed bumps” and “speed humps” are often used interchangeably, these two types of traffic management devices are actually used for different purposes.

What is a Speed Bump?

Speed bumps are often used as a more aggressive traffic calming option and are typically used in areas where cars and pedestrians will be sharing the same space, such as parking lots. A speed bump can be used to help slow down traffic to 10km/h, ensuring that both drivers and pedestrians have enough time to safely react to each other. In most cases, speed bumps are not used on public roads because they require drivers to come to almost a complete stop to pass over them safely without damaging the vehicle.

What is a Speed Hump?

Speed humps, also known as undulations or road humps, are often used in 30km/h speed zones, such as on local streets, school zones, and connector roads where excessive driving speeds are most likely to endanger pedestrians. Compared to speed bumps, speed humps have a more gradual slope design and are much wider. This design works to help slow down a car at a measured pace, while posing less of a risk for potentially damaging the car.

Differences Between Speed Bumps and Speed Humps

The main difference between speed bumps and speed humps, other than their overall appearance, is that they are used for different applications. In most cases, speed bumps are  used in parking lots, while speed humps can be used for a wider range of applications including parking lots, school zones, parking garages, and residential roads. The installation processes for both speed humps and speed bumps are also similar; however, due to its larger size, installing speed humps can take longer than installing speed bumps will.

If you would like to learn more about the differences between speed bumps and speed humps, or if you are interested in one of their traffic management products, please contact Valley Traffic Systems at the location nearest you or by filling out a contact form on their website. Their dedicated team members would love to help you select the right traffic management products for your specific requirements.