The use of road humps for moderating speeds on urban streets

Road humps are devices placed in the path of traveling vehicles. They are used in many communities to keep a uniform and low speed on a residential street or to reduce speeds at specific locations, such as intersections or pedestrian crosswalks. While the effectiveness of road humps in moderating speeds at the site of installation is generally considered proven, the actual adoption of the device remains controversial at the level of the community and the practicing engineers. The present paper, based on literature review and an international survey, evaluates community acceptance of the device and the factors influencing it; describes the various approaches taken to solve problems such as accommodating public transport and emergency vehicles; and assesses the legal status of the device.