Speed Cushion Requests
Speed cushions are traffic calming devices that use vertical deflection to slow motor-vehicle traffic in order to improve safety conditions. The use of vertical deflection devices is most commonly found where vehicle speeds are mandated to be low, usually 25 miles per hour.
Speed cushions are either speed humps or speed tables that include wheel cutouts to allow large vehicles to pass unaffected, while reducing passenger car speeds. They can be offset to allow easier passage by emergency vehicles and are typically used on key emergency response routes. Speed cushions extend across one direction of travel from the centerline, with longitudinal gap provided to allow wide wheel base vehicles to pass more easily[1]. For more information on speed cushions, visit the NACTO Urban Street Design Guidelines.
When streets with existing speed cushions, humps or tables are repaved, the traffic calming devices will be reinstalled to meet the most current specifications that have been approved by the Fire Department and the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services.
Eligibility
Local Street with 85th percentile speeds exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph AND a minimum of 500 vehicles per day AND a minimum segment length of 900 feet
Minor Collectors with 85th percentile speeds exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph AND a minimum of 1500 vehicles per day AND a minimum segment length of 1,200 feet
See document for ineligible streets and additional considerations.
Process
Review eligibility criteria and if eligible, fill out and submit application for speed cushions Online Application
Installation Guidelines
See installation guidelines for placement rules and considerations . Note that detailed engineering analysis will be conducted for each project per the City's engineering team. Existing speed humps and tables are grandfathered in to this program but will be replaced with speed cushions with roadway resurfacing.
The NACTO Urban Street Design Guidelines are another resource that provide guidance on speed cushion installation and considerations.
Speed cushion standard specification / Speed hump standard specification.
Ongoing Projects
Trinity Drive
In respond to the resident's request, the Traffic Engineering division is proposing to install speed cushions on Trinity Drive. Click here to see the plan.
E. Maple Street
In respond to the resident's request, the Traffic Engineering division is proposing to install speed cushions on E. Maple Street. Click here to see the plan.
MONTICELLO BOULEVARD
In response to resident concerns regarding speeding, sight line issues, and difficulty crossing the street, as well as a speed study confirming eligibility for traffic calming treatments, the complete Streets Program of the City's Transportation & Environmental Services Department (T&ES) is proposing improvements on Monticello Boulevard. After working with community members on various alternatives, T&ES is proposing the improvements shown in the figure below.
The proposed parking changes were approved by the Traffic and Parking Board at their October meeting.
Completed Projects
- N. Rosser Street
- N. Pegram Street
- Scroggins Street -
- E. Bellefonte Avenue -
- N. Jordan Street - 85th percentile speeds decrease by 27% in southbound direction and 5% in the northbound direction
- Russell Road - 85th percentile speeds decreased by 21% in the southbound direction and 18% in the northbound direction
- West Abingdon Drive - 85th percentile speeds decreased by 30% on this roadway from 35.2 mph to 24.7 mph
- Martha Custis Drive - 85th percentile speeds decreased by 21% on this roadway from 30.4 mph to 23.9 mph