The distance between speed humps and pedestrian crossings : does it matter?

Speed humps are a common physical measure installed at pedestrian crossings to reduce vehicle speeds and therefore improve the safety of pedestrians at the crossing.The aim of this study was to determine whether variations in distance between speed humps and pedestrian crossings contribute differently to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, especially children and the elderly, and if so, how. Three sites in Sweden were studied, where vehicle speed and video filming at the site resulted in manually coded, road user behaviour of 1972 pedestrians and cyclists.The humps were installed at distances of 5-10 m from the pedestrian crossing, ie about one or two car lengths. As vehicle speeds were somewhat lower at the pedestrian crossing when the distance between the speed hump to the pedestrian crossing was greater, and there were some positive aspects regarding the mobility of the pedestrians and cyclists, a greater distance of about 10 m or two car lengths is suggested. The present study only covers speed humps, but the same distance is also regarded as important when installing other types of physical measures to reduce vehicle speed.Godkänd; 2008; 20081121 (petros