Khorshid E., Almesri M.

The features of the speed humps such as the geometry and shape play an important role in how efficient its performance on drivers and vehicles passing over these devices. Obviously, from the literature, the speed control humps design depends on experience and trial an error. Researches in USA, Europe and elsewhere had led to designs of different lengths, heights and profiles for speed humps. The need for alternative traffic calming device instead of speed hump is therefore critical especially after the large complaint from public on speed humps and their hazards on human health, pollution and car damages …etc. The aim of the present paper is to contribute to the development of speed control dip geometric design standards for urban residential streets where vehicle characteristics, environmental conditions and driver expectations may be different from those observed for speed humps. A theoretical and experimental investigation is conducted on the dynamic behavior of the driver body components and the vehicle due to crossing different profiled speed control dips. An optimum design method of speed control dip profile will be proposed to reduce the excessive shocks experienced by drivers passing over a dip below speed limit, while being unpleasant when going too fast. The new profiled dip will be tested experimentally to validate the theoretical findings.