Optimization of Speed Hump Geometric Design: Case Study on Residential Streets in Malaysia

Speed humps are designed to ensure the safety of both drivers and pedestrians. The use of speed humps on residential streets is an efficient way of controlling the speed of vehicles traveling on them. Based on observations made in a case study, different geometric combinations of speed humps are currently in use. Although there are a few guidelines that stipulate specific ranges of dimensions for the installation of speed humps, no perfect or ideal guidelines have been introduced and properly enforced by the local authorities. Therefore, because there are so many styles and inconsistent designs of the speed humps, a well-established empirical study has been implemented to develop the optimal designs of consistency models. In this study, the 85th-percentile speed reduction and discomfort level were related to the geometric design of the speed hump. The speed data were obtained by using a laser gun meter detector to attain the spot speed data at the selected speed hump location, while the vibration data collection were obtained using the triaxial acceleration transducers connected to Racelogic VBOX II SX. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to develop a statistical relationship between the variables. Two models were successfully developed and validated according to the statistical procedures in the study. These models can be used as a basis for the design of speed hump geometry for a selected 85th-percentile speed reduction and discomfort level. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.