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The Department of Public Works has received a large quantity of requests to implement traffic calming measures around the city. There is currently a backlog of requests, with responses to each request requiring time and funds to complete. Staff see the implementation of rubber speed humps as a more strategic and efficient approach to address requests. ready made speed breaker
The addition of rubber speed humps to our roadways is part of the broader Traffic Calming program in the city of Burlington, aimed at slowing traffic by design, rather than through enforcement. The goals of traffic calming are to improve the quality of life within a residential or commercial area, increase the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, and reduce automobile speeds.
Learn more about traffic calming in the City of Burlington here: Traffic Calming
Do you have input on the rubber speed humps on Burlington’s roadways? Fill out a quick survey to share your input on your experience with the rubber speed humps on Grove St, Gosse Ct, and Elmwood Ave:
Rubber speed humps are cost-effective and dynamic traffic calming installations that are designed to slow vehicle speeds, just as standard asphalt speed humps are intended to do. Unlike asphalt speed humps, rubber speed humps can be moved, shortened, or lengthened to adapt to changing needs over time. These installations can also be removed for the winter months to ensure that normal snow removal can occur.
Effective Other municipalities such as Salem, MA have found rubber speed humps to be effective at significantly reducing the share of vehicles driving at over 20mph, and almost completely eliminating driving speeds over 25mph.
Cost-Effective The cost per rubber speed hump is roughly 1/10 of the cost of installing a standard asphalt speed hump, making it easier for Burlington to take on more traffic calming projects on a limited budget.
Efficient With a simple and quick installation process, rubber speed humps provide a way for Burlington to take on traffic calming needs more quickly and effectively.
Dynamic Rubber speed humps are easily removed for winter months, to ensure that plowing during winter months can continue normally. These installations can also be easily moved from year to year, which can help ensure that traffic calming solutions continue to address the needs of the community.
These rubber speed humps will be on roadways until November, when they will be removed for the winter to allow for snow removal to continue as usual. These rubber speed humps will be reinstalled in the spring and removed the next winter, which will repeat year-to-year. In the case that rubber speed humps no longer fit the needs of one or more of these roadways, they can be moved to another location where they may be a better fit.
The Department of Public Works has initially selected three roadways for rubber speed humps to be implemented based on elevated vehicle speeds, high crash rates, and proximity to schools and parks, as well as other factors. Each of the following roadways has been chosen based on a unique set of criteria to test the performance of rubber speed humps in varied environments.
The Department of Public Works will be conducting speed and volume counts on each of the three roadways on which rubber speed humps have been implemented (Grove St, Gosse Ct, Elmwood Ave). The City will also be monitoring for any crashes and/or injuries that occur along the roadway. These counts will be compared will data collected before the rubber speed humps were installed to determine any effects that these installations have had on roadway safety.
The implementation of rubber speed humps on Grove St, Gosse Ct, and Elmwood Ave was reviewed by the Public Works Commission at their monthly meeting on June 26, 2024.
View the presentation made to the Public Works Commission (PDF)
Department of Public Works 645 Pine St Burlington, VT 05401
Hours: M-F 8am - 4:30pm Phone: (802)-863-9094 Email: dpwplanning@burlingtonvt.gov
colored traffic cones City Hall 149 Church Street Burlington, VT 05401 Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm Phone: 802-865-7000 Email Us