30 speed hump design

red dot
red dot award: design concept 2008

design:
Lee Jong-Su	Kim Jae-yun

Encouraging safe driving in slow zones such as schools, this retractable speed hump flattens out for cars travelling below 30 km/h but remains in shape for cars at higher speeds.

School zones are currently relatively free of speed humps. This is for the safety of walkers. However, many drivers have difficulty keeping to the speed limit.

The 30 Speed Hump has been designed to be sensitive to car speed via the force of the impact made by the tyres. When a car traverses the speed hump at a speed lower than 30 km/h, the speed bump retracts so the car can pass unobstructed. If the car is traveling at a speed greater than 30 km/h, the force of the impact will prevent the retractor from operating, and the hump will remain.

Encouraging drivers to retain a constant slow speed will reduce the amount of stops and starts made, and thus, the amount of exhaust waste from the car. It is hoped that this retractable speed hump would therefore have positive effects on energy consumption and pollution.