Speed ramps: An effective way to restrict speed

The primary purpose of speed ramps (also known as speed bumps, humps and ‘sleeping policeman’) is to restrict the speed of vehicles. This in turn adds a level of control to the area in which they are being used.

The aim of reducing vehicle speed is to improve public safety and therefore reduce the number of both pedestrian and vehicle accidents in the area. Speeds ramps have become more common in car parks and on roads because they effectively encourage traffic to move slowly.

One of the earliest examples of speed ramps was implemented in 1906, where the height of a pedestrian road crossing was raised by 5 inches above the road level in Chatham, New Jersey. After basic design work by notable physicist Arthur Holly Compton was completed in 1953, vehicle behaviour for bump geometrics was conducted by the British Transport and Road Research Laboratory who published their findings in 1973. At this time the study was completed with private roads in mind but the benefits of use on public roads was quickly realised.

Today, different designs of speed ramps are used to restrict the speed of vehicles depending on the area in which they are being implemented.

At Gateway Automation we manufacture our speed ramps out of heavy duty recycled PVC and they are available in two different heights - 50mm or 75mm. The different heights are used to dictate the amount of speed reduction. Using our 50mm high speed ramp will reduce a vehicle’s speed to 15-20 mph, whereas the 75mm high speed ramp will encourage speeds of just 5-10 mph. With their yellow markings and contrasting black sections, our speed ramps are designed to provide an early visual warning and are used to calm the traffic in a public area.

These products can be fixed to tarmac or concrete surfaces and come with embedded cats-eyes as standard. Their interlocking system allows you to place multiple 500mm wide ramp sections together to create a speed ramp to your desired width. The textured surface of the speed ramps also prevents slippage when stood on and the 75mm high version features a centre cable tunnel.

Gateway Automation can provide free, no obligation quotes and feasibility surveys for your premises. To get us to assess your security requirements, please contact us here.

Related articles:

• Preventing unwanted vehicle access
• Controlling pedestrian traffic