From schools to car parks, residential areas and work sites, rubber speed humps and cushions are used right around the world as an easy, cost-effective solution to slow down vehicles and enhance safety.
If you’ve found yourself reading this, you’re probably looking for a speed calming solution for those exact reasons. But with so many different names and types of speed reduction devices, how do you know which one is the most effective for your situation?
Well, we’re here to help you in your decision-making process.
In this article, we cover:
- Speed humps vs speed cushions: what’s the difference?
- Which speed calmer is the right one for my situation?
- What do speed humps and speed cushions cost?
- Installation requirements
Have a read, and by the time you’re finished, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the different speed calmers available and which type is right for your site.
Speed Hump vs Speed Cushion – What’s the Difference?
First off, let’s clear up some terms. Both speed humps and speed cushions are what we call a “speed calming device”, designed to slow down vehicles on roads, driveways and carparks.
That said, there are some differences between the two that are important to know.
Speed Humps
A speed hump has a smaller profile and is typically used in carparks or driveways. You will see these used in all sorts of different carpark applications such as supermarkets, fuel stations and shopping centres.
Speed Cushions
On the other hand, a speed cushion has a larger profile and is typically used where heavy vehicles (such as trucks or buses) are present, or on roads. The larger profile is less abrupt compared to speed humps, and also helps spread the weight of heavy vehicles which puts less impact on the pavement underneath, improving longevity of the product and reducing the risk of pavement damage.
Speed Hump and Speed Cushion Dimensions
Both types are supplied in either 50mm or 75mm high versions and consist of 500mm wide modules that join together, allowing you to create any required width to fit your situation. The modular design also makes installation simple, just like clipping together LEGO pieces.
Selecting the Right Speed Calmer for Your Project
Okay, so now you know the difference between a speed hump and a speed cushion, it’s time to figure out which one is the best solution for your project. Which type to use depends on several factors such as the traffic, the types of vehicles using the road, the desired vehicle speed, and how abrupt or gradual the speed reduction needs to be.
Below, we have outlined where each type of speed calmer is typically used, based on the type and height of each:
Speed Humps: In general, speed humps are best for slowing down cars, utes and vans in car parks or driveways. They come in two heights:
- 50mm(H) speed humps are the most common speed calmer we supply. They’re used in a wide range of carpark environments such as supermarkets, hotels, apartments, petrol stations and commercial car parks, and they will slow vehicles to approximately 15-20 km/h.
- 75mm(H) speed humps are very abrupt and designed to slow cars to less than 5 km/h. We only suggest these to be used in areas where you need to bring cars to an almost complete stop, such as blind corners or pedestrian crossings in a carpark. Not to be used on roads.
Speed Cushions are best used in industrial environments or on roads, where either heavy vehicles or high traffic volume are present. They also come in two heights:
- 50mm(H) speed cushions are commonly used to slow down heavy vehicles in industrial environments such as logistics centres and commercial business driveways, and will slow vehicles to approximately 20-30 km/h. Due to their longer shape, these are not as effective for slowing standard vehicles such as cars and utes.
- 75mm(H) speed cushions are used in the same situations as the 50mm version, but serve the purpose of slowing vehicles in areas where you have both heavy vehicles and standard cars and utes. These will slow traffic to around 15-20 km/h depending on the vehicle.
How Much Do Rubber Speed Calmers Cost?
Rubber speed calmer prices will vary, depending on what business you buy from, how wide you need them to be, and the fixings and glue required to install.
Here at Vanguard Group, we supply our speed humps and cushions as 2 components which we call ‘centre modules’ and ‘end caps’.
When we provide a quote for you, the price will be listed ‘per module’ and ‘per end cap’, excluding GST (Goods & Services Tax in New Zealand). However, to give you a guide of pricing ranges, we have listed pricing per metre below:
- Rubber speed humps 50mm & 75mm high – between $140-160 per metre
- Rubber speed cushions 50mm & 75mm high – between $220-310 per metre
The exact price will depend on how wide your speed hump or cushion needs to be, how many you require for your project, the surface you are installing onto, and whether or not you’ll need glue (which is recommended for situations involving lots of heavy vehicles or high traffic volume)
We can help you determine what size speed calmer you should use for your application, and then break this down into how many modules, end caps, fasteners and glue you will need to complete your project.
If you want an accurate price for your project, you can simply contact us here or use the live chat box to your right, and one of our friendly team will be ready to help.
How Long Will My Speed Calmer Last?
Like any product that’s used daily, a number of factors will determine how long the user life is. Because of this, there’s no specific answer to how long they’ll last. However, as a guide, you should expect them to last up to five years, but they can last longer if there’s lighter-than-normal use.
So you might be wondering, what factors influence how long my speed calmer will last?
- Surface: Installing your speed calmer on a solid surface that won’t break down under the pressure of vehicles driving over it will improve the longevity. Vice versa, if your ground surface is damaged or cracking then your speed calmer doesn’t have much to hold to. We recommend fixing any ground damage first before installing a speed calmer.
- Application: If there is high traffic volume (particularly with heavy vehicles) driving over your speed calmer every day, it will wear down faster
- Maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as inspection for damage and re-tightening any loose screws, can extend the lifespan of rubber speed humps. Repairing any damaged modules can also help maintain the lifespan.
How Do I Choose the Right Type for My Situation?
There are many factors to consider when determining which rubber speed calmer is the right solution for your project.
Don’t worry; we help businesses and road authorities every day to select the right speed calmer for their site, and we’re here to help you do the same.
Whether you’ve decided on a solution and are ready to order or if you still have questions, the next step is to simply make contact with us using any of the below methods:
- Pick up the phone and talk to us – We’re human! 0800 500 147.
- Email our friendly team at [email protected] and they will respond within 60 minutes.
- Live chat with us using the chat box to your right.
We look forward to hearing from you!
