– You get a solid reminder that you have been driving too fast, says senior engineer Trond Hollekim in Vestland County Municipality. Imagine that you are driving across the road. Suddenly the surface disappears, and both front wheels hit a metal edge. Then you have driven far too fast. Both Bergen and Halden are testing a modern aid against rough driving: an advanced drop limb that lies level with the asphalt, across the road. A speedometer at the edge of the road and a control system means that the limb goes down when someone drives over the speed limit. The first speed bump in the country of this type was put into use at Landås in Bergen in December 2020. One year later, the same system was installed in Halden. Now there has been a new speed bump in the center of Bergen, close to the light rail stop at Florida. Bump or dump? Photo: Anne Linn Ensby / news A bump goes up, while a dump goes down, according to the Language Council. The council states that the word dump is probably related to the adjective deep and refers to something that goes down or enters from a surface, a sink. A bump is something that goes uphill, and therefore the traditional speed-reducing measures of asphalt or cobblestones are called speed bumps. The modern version Actibump goes down, i.e. a dump. NEW SPEED DUMP: Senior engineer Trond Hollekim in Vestland county municipality at the second and newest speed dump in Bergen, which is located on Florida. Photo: Lars Christian Wallace / news Clear speed reduction The first speed bump in Bergen has produced very good results, including a clear reduction in speed through the area, says Hollekim. An evaluation report for the first six months after opening shows that there are many advantages to the system. The report concludes with a “significant speed reduction”. There are no known accidents involving cyclists or motorcyclists, and very few have complained. But the cost is higher than normal speed bumps. – The good thing is that the system only discriminates against those who drive too fast. In addition, it is beneficial for public transport, which is not too happy about the usual speed bumps we have around us, says Hollekim. Experiences with Actibump at Landås The system favors road users who drive legally and “punishes” those who exceed the speed limit Comparison of speed measurements before and after the situation indicates a marked speed reduction with the Actibump installation Speed measurement approx. 80 m away from the installation indicates a minor speed reduction Naudetatar is positive about the measure No comments from public transport in relation to the Actibump installations There is a need to discuss operating plans and service intervals with the supplier – different operating situations in different areas Very few complaints from the public No incidents have been observed there cyclists have driven over the Actibump hatches, but some cyclists have turned into the cycle lane immediately before the hatches Braking and evasive maneuvers (MC/light MC) have been observed but with controlled behavior No information has been observed or received about unwanted events that can be linked to the system Higher cost than ordinary static speed-reducing measures, more useful in the form of traffic data (Source: Evaluation report from Vestland county municipality) FREE FOR EMERGENCY: Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles drive past without being hindered, even if they drive too fast. Photo: Henrik D. Meyer / Halden municipality Major changes Halden municipality adopted the same system in December 2021, at Halden secondary school. The school was expanded and received several hundred extra pupils, with classrooms on both sides of Tistedalsgata. The result is that many more stay within the speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour. – In the past, between 80 and 90 per cent drove too fast. Now there are only 10 percent who don’t keep the speed limit, says department head Jan-Erik Hansen in Halden municipality to news. A house that is very close has been plagued with some shaking, but otherwise Hansen only sees the measure positively. – We are very satisfied with the result. It has increased safety in an area where many pedestrians cross the road between the school buildings. Hansen confirms that several other municipalities have made contact and shown an interest in how they have reduced the speed. He points out that the cost is higher than normal speed bumps, and that it can be decisive for what other municipalities want to do. SPEED REDUCTION IN HALDEN: Previously drove between 80 and 90 per cent too fast. Now it is only 10 percent who do not keep the speed limit, measurements show. Photo: Henrik D. Meyer / Halden municipality One hundred plants in several countries The Swedish company Edeva has delivered around 100 such plants in the last ten years. Most of them are in Sweden, where the company has a framework agreement with the Swedish Transport Administration. But they are also found in Norway, Denmark, Australia and Iceland. – The experiences are the same everywhere. There will be a steady flow of traffic and a safe speed, says managing director David Eskilsson at Edeva. He emphasizes that buses and other large vehicles can drive on a flat road, where the alternative could be traditional bumps that they have to slow down to drive over. – Instead of measures that affect everyone, this type will only be noticed for those who break the speed limit, he points out. Many customers also appreciated the large amounts of traffic data that the system collects. – It is more expensive than traditional hump pairs, but it also provides much more value, says Eskilsson. He states that the company is in contact with several counties and municipalities in Norway, and believes that several of them will use the solution. Hope for other solutions The Swedish Road Administration has so far not considered this type of speed obstacle. They are responsible for national and European roads, while municipalities and county councils are responsible for the rest of the public vegan roads. – We are unsure how this works in winter conditions. Furthermore, we assume that there will be higher costs. But we are interested in what experiences the municipalities have, says senior engineer Trude Schistad in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. She hopes that even more modern technology can contribute to people not pressing too hard on the gas pedal. – Technological development and new cars will, for example, eventually make it possible to establish a geofence with a speed limiter to limit the speed on selected stretches. The Swedish Road Administration sees this as a more forward-looking development, says Schistad. Oslo municipality has tested another type of “intelligent speed limiter” (IFD) in Toftes gate and Sognsveien. The test report shows both positive and negative experiences. The Urban Environment Agency will explore other speed-reducing solutions, the report states. news has been in contact with the Institute of Transport Economics. So far, they have not examined modern speed dampers with falls, and therefore cannot comment on their effect. Jan-Erik Hansen in Halden municipality retired shortly after the interview was conducted.
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Several cities are testing “shock traps” against rough driving – news Vestland
