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Guide · Traffic calming

What are speed cushions?

Short answer

A speed cushion is a set of 3–4 in raised pads, 6–7 ft long, spaced across a lane so cars must ride over one and slow to 15–20 mph while a fire engine straddles the gaps. It is a public-street device for emergency routes. On private property, where the target is 5–10 mph, a full-width bolt-down rubber bump at $260–$660 per 12 ft lane is the standard answer.

How a cushion is different

Everything about a cushion is a compromise with the fire department. It gives up speed reduction in exchange for emergency access. If nothing wider than a box truck uses your lane, that trade buys you nothing.

	Speed cushion	Speed bump (3 in modular)
Height	3–4 in	3 in
Length of travel	6–7 ft	15 in
Target speed	15–20 mph	≤ 10 mph
Coverage	Split pads with gaps	Full lane width
Typical setting	Public streets, fire routes	Private lots, HOAs, yards
Install	Paving crew or bolted modules	2 people, ~30 min per lane
Material cost	Quoted per location	$260–$520 per 12 ft lane

Emergency access on private property

Keep the required fire-lane clear width, keep bumps out of turns and off marked accessible routes, and post MUTCD W17-1 at the entrances. Those three rules cover most fire-marshal reviews of a private lot.

What to install instead

For cars and delivery vans: the 3 in modular profile, 15 in of travel, ≤ 10 mph. For trailers, yard trucks and forklifts: the 2.4 in steel-plate profile rated to 176,000 lb at ≤ 6 mph. Both bolt down in about 30 minutes per 12 ft lane.

Buying terms

In stock in the USA — LTL freight to all 48 contiguous states.
Purchase orders accepted from companies, 3PLs, HOAs, school districts and cities.
Pallet and container pricing past about 10 lanes.
Anchor hardware and end caps included; 5-year commercial warranty.
Quote with landed freight answered within 24 business hours.

Frequently asked

What is a speed cushion?

A speed cushion is a raised pad 3 to 4 inches tall and 6 to 7 feet long, installed in two or three sections across a lane with gaps between them. Cars must ride over a pad and slow to 15–20 mph, while a fire engine's wider axle track straddles the gaps and passes at speed.

Do speed cushions work?

For their purpose, yes: studies of cushion installations report meaningful reductions in car speeds with little delay to emergency response, which is why fire departments accept them where they object to full-width humps.

Speed cushion vs speed bump?

A cushion is a public-street compromise for emergency routes at 15–20 mph. A speed bump is a full-width 12–15 in device for private property at 5–10 mph. If nothing wider than a delivery truck uses your lane, the bump enforces far more speed reduction per dollar.

How much do speed cushions cost?

Poured cushions are a construction project priced per location, typically in the thousands once mobilization, materials and striping are counted. A bolt-down rubber speed bump is $260–$660 per 12 ft lane in materials, anchors included, plus freight.

Do fire departments allow speed bumps on private property?

Generally yes at 2–3 in on private drives, provided the required fire-lane clear width stays intact and bumps are not placed in turns or across accessible routes. Confirm with your local fire marshal for designated fire-access lanes.

Do you sell speed cushions?

No. We stock bolt-down rubber speed bumps in a 2.4 in steel-plate heavy-duty profile and a 3 in modular profile, in stock in the USA with LTL freight to all 48 contiguous states.

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Spec sheet & price guide (PDF)

Both profiles, dimensions, load rating, price per 12 ft lane and what we need to quote freight. One field — no phone call required.

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