Left Turn Calming F.A.Q.s
Read below for the answers to our most frequently asked questions. Please reach out to our Traffic Safety Specialists at 630-845-5457 with any additional questions, or fill out the form and we’ll get back to you within 2 business days. We’d love to help with your next traffic safety project!
It depends on the need. They can be installed permanently, or they can be temporarily installed for a pilot test or short-term initiative.
They use a lag bolt and anchor system. They are very simple to install and do not require a special contractor or heavy equipment. A hammer drill and ratchet set are all that's needed.
It depends on your preference and budget. If you have a large scale installation it will not be economical to remove the bumps in the winter and reinstall in the spring. However, if you have a small installation and want to remove in the winter you can. If you do remove them, we recommend filling the holes left in the road with silicone to help preserve them through the winter.
Anything that gets installed onto a roadway is bound to be hit and potentially damaged at some point (i.e., signs, posts, concrete curbs, delineators, etc.). Our bumps are extremely durable and resistant to snowplow and street sweeper damage. There may be instances where a bump is dislodged. In these cases, the bump is typically salvageable and can be reinstalled. If not, a new section can be purchased at a very economical price. Additionally, plow blades and sweeper attachments should not be damaged by the bumps, as they are low profile rubber products.
No. The bumps are installed in a pattern that leave gaps and spacing to allow water to flow and drain on the streets as designed. Water can also flow under the bumps as they are not sealed to the road surface.
No, all speed bumps are surface-mounted and will not affect anything previously installed underground.
Yes, our speed bumps are sold as a modular system. Choose the number of sections and end caps you need to create the best configuration for your intersection (end caps are required for the warranty). Barco Products can help you decide what's best for your particular needs.
This is a very low cost/big impact product. A standard 6' bump will cost approximately $170. Compared to expensive bollard systems that need constant replacement, this system is much more economical.
You can. We have speed bumps available in a black and white color scheme for Right Turn Calming. Because left turns are more dangerous and require more visual notice, right turn bumps are black and white to not distract drivers in the intersection.
Absolutely! There are many cities across the country using our speed bumps as daylighting products. These are better than vertical delineators because they keep vehicles away from the intersection, allow better line of sight for drivers, and are the most durable product option available. Installing in either a box or diagonal lines are the most common applications.
Yes. Most users begin centerline hardening by using vertical delineators (such as bollards or posts) thinking they need to visually deter drivers as well as creating a physical deterrent. However, multiple cities have proven and recorded data to prove that our Speed Bumps not only work better than vertical delineators, but they are more cost effective and less labor intensive. Almost all failed vertical delineators remain in place today, sitting broken or missing their vertical post because of the labor requirements to maintain that system. Barco's bumps are designed to be run over, which is why we stand behind our 15-year guarantee.
Picture a speed bump with a single row of hardware down the middle. When vehicles travel over the bump in different directions and at different angles, the bump will rock back and forth. This will be almost unnoticeable at first, but over time the hardware will begin to work its way up and out due to the rocking. Cold locations with freeze/thaw conditions will accelerate that problem even more. By having two rows of hardware, it keeps the bumps flush and flat to the pavement.
Yes, there are many cities with published pre and post data proving the immediate effectiveness of Barco's Left Turn Calming Speed Bumps. See the results on our Left Turn Calming page where we have information and links to case studies.
While the final result will be similar (slowing cars making a left turn), there are many reasons Barco Product's Speed Bumps are a better overall choice.
- Overall cost is a major factor. Installation costs include:
- The concrete bump itself
- Planning and designing
- Construction crew
- Re-routing of power/water/sewer lines
- If a concrete curb gets damaged by a car, street sweeper, snowplow, or emergency vehicle, the cost to repair is equally as great.
- Concrete bumps are very permanent. If future road designs need to change or be updated, the bumps need to be demolished for removal. Barco Product's Rubber Speed Bumps can be easily removed as needed. This means they can be installed as a temporary trial or kept in place for a more permanent application.
- Barco's Speed Bumps qualify as a "Quick Build" solution, meaning they qualify for potential grant funding and easier to gain approval for installation.
Barco Products offers many other pedestrian safety products. Click here to see the many categories we offer.