Speed Cushions

A speed cushion is a raised section of a road which encourages drivers to reduce their vehicle speeds. Speed cushions are similar to speed humps but are designed to better accommodate larger vehicles and emergency vehicles by providing areas to “straddle” the cushion.

Application/Considerations/Outcomes

• Appropriate for local and collector streets
• May require special winter maintenance considerations
• Less impacts to cyclists, transit, and emergency service vehicles compared to speed humps
• Could result in “reduction in 85th percentile speeds up to 8 km/h” (TAC Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming, 2017)

Image sources: NACTO, TAC Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming, 2017