Operational Effectiveness of Speed Humps in Urban Areas—A Review

Abstract

AbstractThe effectiveness of the speed humps can be studied by the different static and dynamic characteristics of the vehicle. The heterogeneous traffic condition in India making things more complicated in the urban areas. In the past few years, accidents in India are increasing at an alarming rate due to the rapid growth of the motor vehicles. The number of accidents, drops only when there is a speed restriction of the different category of vehicles. Therefore, the reduction of speed of vehicles at some locations like approaches to level crossings, negotiating a sharp curve, approaching towards an intersection, accident prone locations, residential street, or near to schools and hospitals etc. become necessary for orderly traffic movement and from the safety point of view. The developing country like India, speed humps are primarily used as traffic calming devices. The present study reviews the available literature to understand the improvement in identifying the parameters influencing the effectiveness of speed hump characteristics. This paper has tried to review and recognise the gaps in research along with development of the future scope of study in this area. However, from the various literature the study found that most of the speed humps have faulty geometrical dimensions leading to various problems to the road users. Though speed humps reduce speed and increases safety, it has disadvantages like, increase in travel time, increase in the vehicle operating cost, decreases the capacity of roads and causes inconvenience to drivers and passengers.KeywordsSpeed humpsTraffic calming devicesAccidentTraffic safety