The Optimal Spacing of Speed Humps in Traffic Calming Areas

PURPOSES: This study aims to suggest the optimal spacing between speed humps which is placed at traffic calming areas including pedestrian priority zones, school zones, and residential areas. METHODS: The study measured the operating speed of vehicles passing through two successive humps by using laser gun in 0.2 seconds interval, and analysed the basic statistical characteristics of speeds data to have an insight on the relationship between spacing and speed. Assumption was made to derive the maximum spacing within which two successive humps influence each other. RESULTS: The statistically significant model explaining the relationship between spacing and 85th percentile speed of vehicles was derived as well as the maximum spacing maintained in order to take the benefits of successive installation of humps. CONCLUSIONS: Spacing of 20 meters was suggested to achieve the widely accepted target speed of 30 km/h in traffic calming zone, and spacing of 70 meters was suggested as a maximum spacing. The comparison across the studies were made and empirical reasoning th