What's the Difference Between Speed Bumps and Speed Humps

Speed BUMPS and speed HUMPS are not the same. The primary objective of these two devices is to control the speed of vehicles, but they have different designs and allowable uses. A schematic of the their differences is shown in Figure 1 (I love the 80's Ferrari):

Speed humps are typically parabolic, circular, or sinusoidal in shape and are a gentle version of the speed bump (see Figure 1). Speed humps create a gentle vehicle rocking motion at low speeds but can jolt a vehicle at higher speeds. They are typically designed to reduce the speed of vehicles to about 15 miles per hour (mph).

Speed bumps, on the other hand, have a more abrupt design. Most speed bumps are found in parking lots and/or along private roadways. Their height is typically between three and six inches, and can very in length. Speed bumps produce substantial driver discomfort if encountered at too high a speed. This is one reason speed bumps are not used on public roadways. In general, vehicles must slow to about five miles per hour or less for a speed bump (compared to 15 mph for a speed hump)

The best solution to private drives, parking lots, and parking decks is the Speed Bump. Using one of our 100% Recycled Plastic Speed Bumps with a Lifetime Warranty provides the greatest option...especially in cold weather states. Our blocks can be removed in the winter to prevent damage to snow plows and allow the surfaces to be cleared properly. Then they can easily be reinstalled after the snow has melted.

Diagram Credit - City of Des Moines Engineering Department