Speed Cushions vs Speed Bumps vs Speed Humps
A clear comparison of speed cushions, speed bumps and speed humps — geometry, target speeds, emergency-vehicle impact, and which device fits which site.
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TL;DR: Speed cushions, speed bumps and speed humps look similar but solve different problems. Speed bumps are short and abrupt, meant for very low speeds (2–10 mph) in parking lots and driveways. Speed humps are longer and more gradual, targeting 15–25 mph on residential streets. Speed cushions are narrow, wheel-path-specific humps with gaps that let wide-axle emergency vehicles and buses straddle them without slowing, while still calming standard passenger cars.
LT Plastics supplies heavy-duty speed bumps and modular speed hump configurations — we do not currently manufacture speed cushions, and we say so plainly below.
Quick Facts
| Device | Typical Length | Target Speed | Best For | Emergency Vehicle Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed bump | 1–3 ft | 2–10 mph | Parking lots, driveways, loading areas | Not designed for it |
| Speed hump | 10–14 ft | 15–25 mph | Residential streets, campus roads | Moderate impact |
| Speed cushion | 6–7 ft wide, gapped | 15–25 mph | Streets with emergency/bus traffic | Yes — designed to allow straddling |
Speed Bumps: Short, Sharp, Low-Speed
Speed bumps are the shortest and most abrupt of the three device types, typically only 1–3 ft long in the direction of travel. Their short length forces a sharp vertical displacement even at low speed, which is exactly the point — they are meant for environments where near-walking-pace crossing speed (2–10 mph) is appropriate, such as parking lots, loading dock aprons, and private driveways.
Our heavy-duty speed bump (2.4 in profile, steel-plate reinforced, rated to 176,000 lb) and modular strip bump (3 in profile, ≤5 mph) both fall in this category.
Speed Humps: Longer, Gentler, Street-Speed
Speed humps stretch the same vertical rise over a much longer distance — commonly 10–14 ft — producing a gentler ride that's appropriate for target speeds in the 15–25 mph range typical of residential collector streets. Because the rise is gradual, speed humps are more tolerant of moderate-speed crossing without the harsh impact of a speed bump, which is why they're the standard choice for public street traffic calming rather than parking lots. See our speed humps page for our modular configurations.
Speed Cushions: Built for Emergency Vehicle Access
Speed cushions are a newer variant designed to solve one specific problem: standard speed humps and bumps slow down fire trucks, ambulances and buses along with everyone else, which is a real concern on emergency response routes.
A speed cushion is essentially a speed hump split into narrower sections with gaps between them, sized so that a wide-axle vehicle (fire engine, city bus) can straddle the gaps with its wheels on either side and pass over with minimal disruption, while a standard passenger car — with a narrower track width — still drives over the raised sections and experiences the intended calming effect.
> Comparing devices for a mixed-traffic corridor? Talk to our team about the right fit for your site →
Which Device Fits Which Site?
Honest Guidance on Fit
We'd rather point you to the right device than sell you the wrong one. If your project is a parking lot, warehouse yard, or private drive, our heavy-duty and driveway speed bumps are a strong fit. If it's a residential or campus street targeting 15–25 mph, our modular speed humps configurations are the better tool.
If your site specifically requires emergency-vehicle-friendly cushions on a public roadway, that's a distinct engineered product we don't currently manufacture — happy to discuss what we do offer as part of a broader traffic calming plan on a free consultation.
FAQ
What is the difference between a speed bump and a speed cushion?
A speed bump is a short, sharp device for very low speeds across the full lane width. A speed cushion is a longer device split into narrower gapped sections so wide-axle emergency vehicles and buses can straddle it while passenger cars still get the calming effect.
Do speed cushions slow down fire trucks?
They're specifically designed not to — the gaps between cushion sections are sized so a fire truck's wider axle track can pass with wheels on either side of the raised sections, minimizing speed loss on emergency routes.
Are speed humps better than speed bumps for streets?
For public streets with a 15–25 mph target speed, yes — humps' longer, gentler profile is more appropriate than a bump's sharp, low-speed geometry, which is better suited to parking lots and driveways.
Does LT Plastics sell speed cushions?
No. LT Plastics manufactures heavy-duty rubber speed bumps and modular speed hump configurations. Speed cushions are a distinct engineered product we don't currently offer.
Sources
Related reading: Do Speed Bumps Damage Cars? · Speed Bump Installation Guide · How Much Do Speed Bumps Cost?
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Part of the topic guide
Speed Bumps for Parking Lots, Truck Yards and Loading Docks