Most drivers pass over speed bumps without realizing their importance, and even few consider bumps an inconvenience (due to sudden push-ups). However, in reality, speed bumps play a significant role in both driver and pedestrian safety by slowing down vehicles’ speed on the road.
Whether you’re a traffic management company or a government facility managing traffic safety, knowing about speed bump types, their materials, and their safety benefits is crucial to correctly choosing speed bumps for road installations and, perhaps, ensuring drivers’ safety.
That’s why we’ve prepared this detailed guide to help traffic safety professionals like you understand the importance and necessity of speed bumps on roads to make safer roads!
What are Speed Bumps?
Speed Bumps (often known as speed ramps, speed humps, speed cushions, or speed breakers), are a raised section of road surface. They are specifically built and designed to slow down vehicles on high-traffic roads. Their main goals are to improve road safety, enhance visibility, and protect drivers, pedestrians, and foot traffic.
Based on different vehicle’s weight and roads, speed breakers are made in different materials to cater to different needs. They need to install in every local street, connector roads, parking lots, entrances, and in short everywhere, where there is need to slow down vehicle’s traffic, to make roads safer for everyone.
Different Types of Speed Bumps
Speed bumps are made in different designs and materials to cater to the needs of different vehicles and traffic conditions. Here are the most commonly used types of speed bumps:
- Driveway Speed Bumps
These speed bumps are mainly installed on private parking lots, housing complexes, driveways, especially at entering and exiting points, to slow down vehicles, and ensure safety of residents, parked vehicles, and children. Driveways speed bumps are typically made from plastic or rubber, shorter in length, and ideal for use in low-traffic volume.
- Highway Road Speed Bumps
These speed bumps are mainly used on highways, especially near pedestrian crossings, toll booths, to hinder fast moving vehicles’ speed, and ensure safety of other drivers and vehicles on highways. Compared to typical speed bumps, these speed breakers are usually broader in size and made with durable material, so that they can withstand heavy traffic-flow.
- Dirt Road Speed Bumps
As the name states, dirt road speed bumps are installed on unpaved dirty roads, farmlands or rural areas, to slow down the vehicle’s speed, so that the dust on path don’t blow up and affect other drivers’ visibility. These speed bumps are typically larger in size and made with durable materials, so they can settle on dusty paths and provide full resistance to vehicles.
- Garage Speed Bumps
Garage speed bumps are smaller and specifically designed for use in residential or commercial garages. These bumps are low-profile, made with rubber, to help prevent drivers from accelerating too quickly when entering or exiting a garage. They also reduce collision risks with other vehicles, walls and peoples.
- Parking Lot Speed Bumps
On the other hand, parking lot speed bumps are used in entrance or exit of parking areas, like parking zone of schools, hospitals, police stations, worksites, etc. They are made from rubber, plastic, installed on concrete or asphalt roads. Their primary purpose is to slow down drivers, to ensure safety of foot traffic and passing by vehicles, especially, while exiting from parking lots.
What Materials Speed Bumps Are Made From?
Speed bumps, as traffic-calming devices, are categorized into different types based on materials and functions to cater to different vehicle and road requirements. Here are more explanation it:
- Concrete Speed Bumps
Concrete speed bumps are most traditional, and earliest speed bumps type that were made of asphalt or concrete. These speed breakers are hard and durable, that can withstand heavy vehicle and traffic flow, stays reliable for longer time. Commonly used in school zones, parking lots and hospitals.
- Rubber Speed Bumps
Compared to concrete speed bumps, rubber speed bumps are very light-weight, flexible, and easy to install and remove. They are most commonly used on dirt (dusty) roads, gravel, and concrete roads that stay firm with road base and provide enough resistance to vehicles.
The speed bumps market now largely makes rubber speed bumps, which account for a larger competition (based on quality), making it difficult for road construction companies to find best-quality speed bumps. If you don’t want this struggle, JACKWIN rubber speed bumps are easy-to-install, weather-resistance, have reflective strips (cat eyes) for visibility, and maintenance free.
- Polyurethane or Plastic Speed Bumps
Plastic speed bumps are used with high-quality polyurethane material, can be molded into different shapes, that makes it flexible and easy-to-remove. These breakers are light-weight, and most commonly used as temporary speed bumps (that are easy to install and remove), are weather and UV-resistant, and are usually in bright colors to enhance visibility.
- Cable Speed Bumps
These speed bumps are made with durable plastic but comes with 2 or 3 cable channels (little holes) in it, that allow cables to pass underneath the speed bumps. They provide an ideal solution to slow down vehicles, and commonly used in parking lots, garages, or driveways.
- Recycled Speed Bumps
Some speed bumps are made with recycled plastic or rubber material, are eco-friendly, low-in budget, and do the same jobs (slowing vehicle’s speed).
Speed Bumps Specifications and Requirements
Speed bumps specifications and requirements are standards that are set by the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) and ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers). According to them, the speed bumps’ specifications and requirements are as follows:
| Feature | Specifications |
| Height | Should be around 2 inches so that vehicles won’t fly |
| Width (in travel direction) | 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm) |
| Length (across lane) | Full lane width (typically 500mm, 1000mm, 1830mm) to prevent vehicles bypassing |
| Shape | Parabolic or trapezoidal to minimize vehicle damage at low speeds |
| Spacing | If multiple bumps are used, space them 200 to 500 feet apart |
| Slope | Must be between 1:10 and 1:25 |
Above we discussed the rules set by authorities for speed bumps specifications. Now, let’s discuss the speed bumps requirements in detail:
- You need to install speed bumps on roads with posted speed limits of 15 mph (24 km/h) or less.
- If the road speed is more than 20 mph, you must install speed bumps near to source of light, at least. If not possible, you should find any source of illumination like near any market or shops, and install at those sections of road.
- The speed bumps should not be placed on sharp curves, steep grades, or near emergency response routes, as obviously, doing so can lead to accidents.
- For streets with speed limits above 15mph, you should provide enough signage before speed bump installation. (Check table below for signage instructions)
- Temporary (portable) speed bumps must not be used on public roads.
- Speed bumps with more than 2 inches height should not be used, instead exact 2 feet is suggested. Plus, you must avoid installing speed bumps within 20–25 feet of intersections or pedestrian crossings.
| Sign Type | Code | Requirement |
| Speed Bump Warning Sign | W17-1 | Yellow diamond-shaped sign with “BUMP” in black letters |
| Advisory Speed Plaque | W13-1 | Shows recommended speed (e.g., 10–15 mph) |
| Advance Placement | —— | Signs should be installed at least 100–250 feet before the bump (urban vs rural) |
Places Speed Bumps Shouldn’t be installed:
- Within 30 meters of a pedestrian crossing
- Within 20 meters of railway level crossing
- Within 2 meters of a guidance rail or pedestrian support rail
- Within 25 meters of an over-road crossing or bridge
Fixed vs Temporary Speed Bumps: Which Is Right for You?
You must have heard that speed bumps are permanently installed, but that’s not just the case, you can temporarily install them too. Here’s the detailed breakdown for your understanding:
Temporary (portable) speed bumps offer great flexibility, you just need to install them where needed, and after every use, remove them. These removable speed bumps also provide a handy solution, and great for short-term use, like trade shows, road festivals, and small events, where you can install them at parking lots or entrances, and remove them later.
You can also use temporary speed bumps at your desired zone to verify if that meets your needs, and if not, you can easily swap them. In addition to all these pros, temporary speed bumps are far cheaper than permanent ones, as you can continue using same speed bumps for a long time.
On contrary, permanent speed bumps are expensive and require professional installation on roads, as there will be high-traffic passes through roads. Permanent speed bumps are specifically made from durable materials, like rubber, concrete, or asphalt, that withstand heavy traffic flow while doing its job (slowing vehicles), and lasts for years.
Common Applications of Speed Bumps
Speed bumps have several applications. With the main purpose of slowing the vehicle’s speed and protecting drivers from accidents and collisions, you can use them in several ways.
- School Zones
You can install speed bumps to slow down all vehicle’s entering into school road or zone. As during school times, kids and facility members cross roads, in such cases, a speeding cars can lead to serious accidents. So speed bumps aware and guide drivers to slow down their vehicle in advance, to keep students, parents, staff and even driver safe.
- Residential Streets
In residential streets, kids are often playing, people are walking, right? In such zone, you can install several speed bumps in residential streets with a distance of 200 feet apart. This helps slow down vehicles on streets, hence, making safer streets for everyone living there.
- Parking Lots and Garages
Let’s be real, parking lots can turn chaotic fast. In such zones, a lot is going on, people backing out, kids running around, and pedestrians walking in between cars. By installing speed bumps in parking lots and garages’ entrance and exits, you can slow down drivers, guiding them to carefully drive, and hence, keep foot and traffic safe.
- Business Entrances
Whether it’s a shopping mall, office building, or hotel, vehicles tend to rush in or out (especially during business hours). You can install speed bumps right at the entrance to help slow down vehicles’ speed, to ensure people’s safety at crosswalks or loading zones.
- Industrial and Warehouse Facilities
Forklifts, loading trucks, workers doing operations, there’s a lot going on in warehouses. Speed bumps in such zones can significantly help keep everything under control. They can slow down vehicles around docks, gates, and pedestrian zones.
- Gas and Petrol Stations
People rush into fuel stations and forget it’s still a shared space with other cars and people walking around. You can install speed bumps here, to help prevent sudden movements or accidents near fuel pumps and convenience stores. This simple approach also helps avoid big hazardous like fuel spills, blasts, or fire risks.
Safety Benefits of Speed Bumps
Speed bumps seem like road obstacles. But in actuality, they’re a critical part of traffic-calming strategies. Their ability to effectively reduce vehicle speed to some extent brings several safety benefits for both drivers and pedestrians. Here’s how they contribute to safer roads:
- Reduce Speeding Risks
Well, when a vehicle pass over the speed bumps, a sudden push up forces vehicles, and even driver to slow down. This way, speed bumps lower the risk of overspeeding. As a result, accidents and vehicle collisions chances are reduced.
- Minimize Collisions
As mentioned earlier, when vehicle speed slows down, drivers take time to react and analyze. This simple approach reduces the likelihood of rear-end crashes and an unpredictable collision of fast moving vehicle to others.
- Protect Pedestrians
In areas with heavy foot traffic like schools, hospitals, or parks, use of speed bumps are highly crucial. By installing speed bumps at these zone, you can create a safer environment, and protect patients, children’s and facility members, during walking and road-crossing.
- Improve Driver Awareness
Speed bumps do not just play a safety role. But they are also aware and guide drivers, in terms of visual cues, that alert drivers to drive more cautiously, especially in unfamiliar zones.
- Support Safer Residential Zones
In neighborhoods or in private residential societies, speed bumps plays a huge role. As residential zones are closed-places with several building and foot-traffic, by installing speed bumps, you can protect children, cyclists, and pets, by slowing down through-traffic.
- Reduce Accident Severity
Even if accidents occur, lower speeds due to speed bumps often mean fewer injuries and less vehicle damage. So, it’s a safe situation at the end!
How Much Does It Cost to Purchase Speed Bumps?
Well, the price for speed bumps purchase varies depending on the speed bumps type, material, size, and where you purchase them. However, we can give you an estimate idea as per current market rates.
On average, rubber and plastic speed bumps cost around $50 to $300 per piece, while concrete ones may range from $200 to $1000+. Plus, recycled plastic ones may range from $200 to $500. These are usually pre-made, ready to transport, and can be installed with basic tools.
But if you order from a trusted speed bumps supplier like us, we can provide you with high-quality, permanent or portable speed bumps in different materials (rubber, plastic, recycled) at an extremely affordable price.
Wrapping Up:
We hope after reading this guide, you now have a very good understanding of Speed bumps, types, materials, their uses, safety benefits and most importantly, their importance. To ensure drivers, pedestrian, foot traffic safety, you should install speed bumps on roads, to slow down vehicle’s speed to reduce accidents chances, and making roads safer for every citizen.
If you are looking for a rubber or plastic speed bumps manufacturer, whether for temporary, recycled, permanent or portable ones, we are a right choice for you. We have a large stock of speed bumps available, contact us now!
Our team can also design and manufacture customized rubber speed bumps for you with your brand logo on it, to boost your business and logo.
