The Effects of Increasing Adoption of the Use of Speed Bumps on Safety, Pavement Performance, Travel Time, and Passenger Comfort

ABSTRACT

The increasing adoption of speed bumps as a traffic-calming measure has been an essential intervention in improving road safety, reducing vehicular speed, and addressing road traffic crashes and accidents of all kinds, especially in regions with high pedestrian activity and vehicular traffic. However, this project research critically examines the diverse effects of speed bumps on road safety, pavement performance, travel efficiency, and passenger comfort, with a focus on Southwestern Nigeria, considering routes such as Ifaki-Omuo Road, Ayegbaju-Oye Road, Asin-Ikole Road in Ekiti State, and some other major routes as the study locations. The research incorporates data from existing studies, field surveys, and technical analyses to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the implications of speed bumps and highlight the both its benefits and its unintended consequences (Akanmu A.A. et al, 2022).

Findings indicated that while speed bumps significantly reduced vehicle speeds and lowered accident severity, particularly in high-risk zones (i.e. near schools, markets, pedestrian crossing, and residential areas), they could also restrict mobility and impose significant economic burdens. In addition, poorly designed speed bumps were found to aggravate pavement degradation, increase fuel consumption, increase vehicle maintenance costs, and extend travel times, particularly for commercial vehicles and emergency responders.

For this project research, a mixed-method, incorporating the quantitative analysis of the data gotten from desk survey and field observations, which includes the traffic flow data, accident data, pavement condition data, and speed bump characteristics; as well as, the qualitative perspectives from road users, transport operators, and stakeholders such as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was employed to provide valuable insights for policymakers, road engineers and urban planners on the impacts of speed bumps, and drive innovation in highway and transportation engineering.

In conclusion, the investigation into speed bumps and its impacts serves as a critical call to action. It emphasizes the need for a standardized approach to speed bump design, to ensure a balance between safety, comfort, pavement durability, and travel efficiency. Hence, the findings of this study serve as significant resource for improving traffic management practices in Nigeria and the world at large.