[Summit] Speed Bumps

John Bazik jbazik at gmail.com
Mon May 17 03:05:54 UTC 2021 

Here's some more information about speed bumps, humps, tables and other calming measures from the US Dept of Transportation:

  https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ePrimer_modules/module3pt2.cfm#mod310

DOT guidelines say humps/lumps are recommended only for local roads <= 30 mph, and are "typically" 12' in length and 3" high.  In its RFP, Providence specified lumps 7' in length and 3" high with 2' ramps (1:8 slope):

  http://www.providenceri.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pvd20-117-CITYWIDE-SPEED-LUMPS-AND-RAISED-CROSSWALKS.pdf

Those are pretty severe.

John

On 5/16/21 7:19 PM, Ethan Gyles wrote:
> There was no consultation with the neighborhood association and this is generally a surprise to me. I much prefer neckdowns to speed bumps. I understand some of the background on the notion of traffic calming on these streets was discussed at community meetings Councilor LaFortune hosted, though she noted on our Facebook group that she didn’t know the speed bumps were being deployed until she saw them. Her Facebook comments are below:
> 
> “Hi Ethan, I actually did not know the city was installing the speed bumps the until I saw them. We have  talked about the speeding and traffic mitigation at many community meetings, where folks have asked aboug speed bumps. For the last three years the traffic engineer has been conducting speed counts/traffic studies throughout the ward. Many people have complained about the speeding on all the streets. It looks like the speed bumps were the recommendations from the traffic commission. All recommendations are align with safety protocols and include imput from public safety (fire, police EMS). I do wish we were given a heads up. I am getting more information. I too live on the corner of one of these streets And have watched cars, motorcycles speed from N. Main to hope. Parents and residents have complained about speeding on cemetery road, and MHCC is asking for speed bumps on Camp. I'll get more details about how the decision was made.....and ask for information to share.”
> 
>> On May 16, 2021, at 7:06 PM, Emlyn Addison <noisyblocks at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> 
>> I agree. I drove home via W River street today where there have been speed bumps installed for several years (behind the USPS facility); they're markedly lower and easier to drive over.
>>
>> I don't know how these came to be installed so suddenly (are neighborhoods generally consulted first?) and why they appear to be so poorly constructed. Apparently they're not cheap either.
>>
>>
>> Emlyn
>>
>> On Sat, May 15, 2021 at 5:37 PM John Bazik <jbazik at gmail.com <mailto:jbazik at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>>     I think the speed bumps are terrible.  Years ago, I helped bring curb extensions to the neighborhood for the same purpose: to reduce speeding and making our streets more pedestrian-friendly.  We looked at speed bumps back then, and there were strong emotions for and against.  One thing I learned was that there are good bumps and bad bumps.  Good bumps, as I understand it, are wide and parabolic.  At low speeds, they are easy to drive over and plows handle them easily.  Bad bumps are unpleasant at any speed and impossible for plows.  The good ones are more expensive and take more planning.  An example of the good ones are in Kennedy plaza.
>>
>>     As I drove up Rochambeau today, the guy behind me swerved into the opposing lane to avoid them.
>>
>>     John
>>
>>     On 5/15/21 2:18 PM, Emlyn Addison wrote:
>>     > I thought the same thing but my wife who works at Rhode Island hospital, and who commutes that way daily, says that they have speed bumps on Dyer street, which is heavily trafficked by ambulances and buses.
>>     >
>>     > So I'm not convinced this wouldn't be a possible solution to Hope/Mad Max Street.
>>     >
>>     >
>>     > On Sat, May 15, 2021, 2:05 PM Art Norwalk <art at norwalkcom.com <mailto:art at norwalkcom.com> <mailto:art at norwalkcom.com <mailto:art at norwalkcom.com>>> wrote:
>>     >
>>     >     I suspect there would be strong objections to speed bumps on Hope St. from RIPTA and the rescue services.
>>     >
>>     >     -- Art
>>     >
>>     >     On Sat, May 15, 2021 at 12:56 PM Emlyn Addison <noisyblocks at gmail.com <mailto:noisyblocks at gmail.com> <mailto:noisyblocks at gmail.com <mailto:noisyblocks at gmail.com>>> wrote:
>>     >
>>     >          From the peanut gallery: if they reduce speeding and aren't a hindrance, I'm all for it. I only wish they'd consider them for Hope street which, most days, is like a scene out of Mad Max. I'm sure that many here have noticed how many vehicles still fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, despite it being state law. Perhaps speed bumps on Hope street would reduce "braking apathy" and deter drivers/riders from using it as a cruising strip?
>>     >
>>     >         Speed bumps unfortunately reduce fuel efficiency (and arguably create more noise from squealing brakes and revving engines) but in a residential urban neighborhood these are considerations worth weighing.
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >         Emlyn Addison
>>     >         8th Street
>>     >
>>     >
>>     >         On Sat, May 15, 2021 at 12:35 PM James Kelley <jameskelley4444 at gmail.com <mailto:jameskelley4444 at gmail.com> <mailto:jameskelley4444 at gmail.com <mailto:jameskelley4444 at gmail.com>>> wrote:
>>     >
>>     >             Do we really want the proliferation of speed bumps in our neighborhood?
>>     >             I'm writing in this forum because I'm seeing much dialogue in various places such as on Facebook and Next Door and it seems that there are some strong feelings pro and con that maybe need to be resolved to keep harmony and happiness and this listserv is a good inclusive place for people who may not have seen the other communications and might be wondering what's happening. This is only one brief source.
>>     >
>>     >             Here is a small background article that may not have been seen by all those interested:
>>     >
>>     > https://www.golocalprov.com/news/elorza-more-speed-humps-part-of-providence-great-streets-master-plan <https://www.golocalprov.com/news/elorza-more-speed-humps-part-of-providence-great-streets-master-plan> <https://www.golocalprov.com/news/elorza-more-speed-humps-part-of-providence-great-streets-master-plan <https://www.golocalprov.com/news/elorza-more-speed-humps-part-of-providence-great-streets-master-plan>>
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