Speed bumps are simply small bumps in the road that help to control traffic speeds and provide protection of both pedestrians and other drivers. They are constructed mainly from pavement but can also come as an external fixture that is placed on top of the concrete.
Speed bumps are not to be confused with speed humps, which are not as effective.
Speed bumps are typically 24 ft. long x 12 inches wide x 2 1/2 inches high and reduce speeds to 2 – 5 mph.
They are usually used in parking facilities and in some residential locations and are more aggressive in their ability to slow down the drive-through traffic. They can also be used in high pedestrian areas such as shopping centers, school zones, neighborhood intersections, parking facilities, or multi-family properties for added safety.
Speed humps, on the other hand, are typically 24″ long x 12 ft wide x 6 inches high. Speed humps reduce speeds up to 10 – 15 mph.
They are not as aggressive of a traffic control product as speed bumps and are designed to reduce speed while still maintaining a continuous traffic flow. These are used in school parking lots and crossings, playground areas, hospitals, airports, and parking facilities.
Speed bumps can either be designed with the initial construction of the pavement or can be added on after construction.
They are easily maintainable and with routine maintenance can look new for years.
The first step in installing a speed bump is ensuring that the area is cleaned and free of any loose debris that could be caught in the new pavement.
Then, the dimensions are marked for construction. Once the lines are chalked and the area is notched, the inside of the bumper is filled and marked with bonding oil so the asphalt stays in place.
The new asphalt is then poured into a wheelbarrow for easy transport from the truck, then dumped onto marked areas as needed. Once the asphalt is dumped, one of crew members spreads the asphalt as another crew member uses a rake to form the speed bump.
Given that you have clients moving around your properly regularly, there is a need to have effective safety devices in place to protect them and ensure you do not run into any costly liability issues. Speed bumps are a necessity in parking lots and in residential areas with higher than the normal flow of traffic and are also required in most cases.
Allpaving can provide you with any dimension of speed bump that will look sleek and stand the test of time.
