This paper presents some guidelines on the design, marketing and location of speed humps, suitable for use in `Woonerf' residential neighbourhoods in Dutch cities and towns. Traffic humps have been introduced there to: (1) reduce the speed of cars; (2) increase the awareness of drivers; and (3) remove through traffic. Traffic humps should cross the whole road, and should not be situated on bends or too near an intersection. Preferably, they should not be located on public transport routes or in streets with much heavy-vehicle traffic. Several recommendations are made for maximising the visibility of humps to drivers. A hump should be designed to maxise safety, and minimise damage to cars and discomfort to drivers; for example, humps for speed 30kph should be 4-5m long. To be effective, a hump should be at least 12cm high. Normal pavement materials, such as bricks, asphalt and concrete, can be used to construct humps. Although the Dutch law on humps is not clear, there seem to be no legal objections to constructing them where their use is expected to reduce speeds. About 75% of Dutch cities apply humps; within these cities, 80% of the humps follow recommended designs.
Abstract