Speed Cushions

 

Understanding Speed Cushions on Highway 1

Speed cushions, a key traffic-calming measure, are increasingly being implemented on highways and roads to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and protect communities. These raised structures are specifically designed to control vehicle speeds in a non-invasive manner, ensuring that they reduce the risks associated with high-speed traffic, especially in areas where pedestrians, cyclists, or residential areas are present.

What are Speed Cushions?

Speed cushions are raised, flat-topped, rectangular or circular structures placed transversely across roadways. They are similar to speed bumps but are wider and have a different design intended to allow certain vehicles, like emergency vehicles, to pass over them without significant disruption. Typically, they are installed on highways, residential streets, or areas with pedestrian activity, but their usage is becoming more common on urban highways to control speeding.

Unlike speed bumps that create a harsh jolt for vehicles, speed cushions are designed to slow down traffic gradually, reducing wear and tear on vehicles and offering a more comfortable ride while still limiting speed.

Purpose of Speed Cushions on   Highway 1


The main purpose of speed cushions is to reduce vehicle speeds, particularly in areas where speeding could lead to accidents. They are designed to address several key concerns:

  1. Traffic Safety: The most common application of speed cushions is to reduce the number of accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians and cyclists. By slowing down vehicles, these cushions reduce the likelihood of high-speed collisions.

  2. Pedestrian and Cyclist Protection: In residential areas or near schools and parks, speed cushions help create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, who are more vulnerable to speeding vehicles.

  3. Calming Traffic in Urban Areas: Urban highways or roads with high traffic volumes can benefit from speed cushions as they manage the flow of traffic without major disruptions. They encourage drivers to be more cautious while traversing through populated or congested areas.

  4. Cost-Effective and Non-Invasive: Speed cushions are more cost-effective compared to other traffic-calming measures such as roundabouts or traffic signals. They also don't require the extensive construction or alteration of road infrastructure, making them a less invasive and quicker solution for speeding issues.

How Speed Cushions Work

Speed cushions work by causing vehicles to slow down when they encounter the raised surface. Unlike traditional speed bumps, which are typically continuous across the entire width of a road, speed cushions are designed with gaps between them. These gaps allow for larger vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances, to pass over without experiencing significant discomfort or delay. The width of the cushion is usually tailored to match the typical width of smaller vehicles, which ensures that only cars and smaller vehicles experience a reduction in speed.

Benefits of Speed Cushions

  1. Improved Road Safety: By reducing speeds, the likelihood of accidents decreases. In areas prone to speeding, such as highways passing through urban neighborhoods or near schools, speed cushions force drivers to slow down, thus enhancing safety.

  2. Minimal Disruption to Emergency Services: While speed bumps can delay emergency vehicles, speed cushions are designed to allow larger vehicles to pass over them without slowing down dramatically. This is particularly important on highways and roads that need to accommodate emergency response vehicles quickly.

  3. Environmental and Aesthetic Benefits: In some cases, speed cushions can be incorporated with landscaping or aesthetic designs that enhance the visual appeal of roadways. Additionally, because speed cushions are smaller than full-width speed bumps, they tend to cause less damage to the road surface over time.

  4. Cost-Effective Traffic Calming: Compared to the installation of traffic lights or major roadworks, speed cushions are a relatively low-cost solution for improving road safety. They are particularly effective in residential or semi-urban areas where budget constraints often limit the possibility of more substantial changes.


Conclusion

Speed cushions are a practical solution to manage vehicle speeds on highways and roads where pedestrian or cyclist safety is a concern. By slowing down traffic, they help reduce accidents, improve safety for vulnerable road users, and maintain an efficient flow of traffic. While there are challenges in their implementation and maintenance, the overall benefits of speed cushions make them an increasingly popular traffic-calming tool on highways and residential roads worldwide. As cities continue to prioritize safer, more sustainable urban designs, speed cushions are likely to remain a key component of effective traffic management strategies.

Address : 


59 Druces Road, Manukau, Auckland

Opening Hours 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday 

Tel : 09-260 4810

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