Speed Bumps | Top O' Topanga (TOT)

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Speed Bumps, Speed Humps, and Speed Cushions

What we had before the paving project were small “speed bumps” that didn’t do much. What is being installed this week are larger (not taller, but longer from front to back) “speed humps” – they are designed to slow everyday traffic in the area to 15mph or less while still allowing emergency vehicles to pass through the community quickly when necessary.

However, the guidance for speed humps is that they generally should not be within 100 feet of a stop sign or a corner, although we have made some exceptions. They also can’t be within 20 feet of a fire hydrant, and can’t block driveways or walkways, so Commercial Paving looked closely at the placement.

Our speed humps have a gap in the center so these are sometimes referred to as “speed cushions” – each set of speed cushions will allow for wheelchair, stroller, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic, and is designed to allow for drainage.

Our understanding is that the new speed humps will be better at slowing and stopping traffic. There will also be new striping, including stop sign markings, and once all of these “traffic calming” measures are in place, we expect to be able to enforce speeding and parking rules more effectively.

Approximate locations have been marked as of Mon Sept 16 and will be finalized on Tues Sept 17. Final “as built” map will be posted when complete.

Speed Cushion Plan
(LOCATIONS APPROXIMATE –
SOME HAVE CHANGED SINCE THIS DRAFT)

Speed bump design (will vary somewhat based on width of street and location of drainage flow line) but each bump gradually slopes upward from street level to 3″ high at the highest point.

Speed bumps:

MUST be at least 20 feet away from fire hydrants
Can’t obstruct driveways, walkways, parking spots or building entrances
Should ideally be positioned 100 feet away from corners, stop signs, and intersections (but we will make exceptions)
Should be positioned near a streetlight if possible
Note: Design above assumes ideal conditions of 25’ wide road and centered flowline, but road width and flowline position varies.

Notes for variations from ideal design:

Each set of speed cushions should ideally be 36” away from the edge of the street on both sides, or at least on one side
There should ideally be a 36” gap between the two cushions, but AT LEAST 24” wide and the gap should be aligned to avoid obstructing the flow line. The gap should not be more than 36”
Each cushion should ideally be 7-8’ wide, but at least wide enough to avoid allowing vehicles to straddle and avoid the bump. The other cushion can be as wide as necessary to avoid more than a 36” gap
If only one can be positioned 36” away from the edge then the other one should be at least 12” away from the opposite edge

Learn More:

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

LA City Department of Transportation