Note 1: This report, Subject: "Recommendation for Location of Speed Humps," was submitted as hard copy (paper) to the Board of Directors on April 25, 2007. This version is formatted for the Internet and contains links to reference documents and map. Additional links, provided at the end of this page, while not in the hard copy report were on-line resources available to the ad hoc Committee.
Note 2: From the April 28, 2007, Annual Members Meeting - "There was lengthy discussion about the use of speed bumps, with pros and cons examined. Overall agreement that speeding is a big problem led to discussion of the use of police presence to calm speeders. The new Board will investigate as an alternative to speed humps." As a result, Speed Hump installation was placed on hold.
Note 3: After being on hold since April 28, 2007, installation of the speed humps began on August 31, 2015.
Note 4: During the October 17, 2015 Membership meeting the membership voted to remove the speed humps.
Note 5: Click Here for a summary of traffic issues.
April 5, 2007, the Board of the Malvern Club, Inc. approved funding for the installation of three Traffic Calming Speed Humps along Malvern Drive, exact locations to be determined. The Speed Humps were approved in an effort to calm traffic on Malvern Drive and, if successful, more Speed Humps will be added.
The Board formed an ad hoc Committee of volunteers to recommend locations for the installation of three Speed Humps. This is the Committee's report.
Speed Humps differ from Speed Bumps.
Speed Bumps are 3-4 inches high and 1-3 feet long and have typically been used in parking lots and on private roads.
Speed Humps are 3-4 inches high and 12-22 feet long. They are found on residential roadways. To avoid driver discomfort, the driver slows to a speed of 15-20 mph.
Speed Humps were originally developed in Great Britain by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL). After extensive research, they found that the ideal speed hump is 12 feet long and 3-4 inches high.
The Committee met several times to include site visits and shared information via e-mail, telephone, and a private web page. As safety was the Committee's first consideration for placement it was decided to follow established placement recommendations in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Traffic Calming Guide for Local Residential Streets
The VDOT placement guidelines are summarized as follows:
Spacing should be about 500 feet, clearly visible for 200 feet, and placed at least 200 feet from intersections and should include warning signs and delineation. Road grade not to exceed 10%. Consider conflicts with utilities, storm water drainage, driveways, and for drive-a-rounds.
Additionally, the Committee decided to recommend the above VDOT "Traffic Calming Guide" specifications for Speed Hump design, signing, and marking, along with recommendations for education and notification of fire, rescue, police, and school.
VDOT Speed Hump placement, design, signing, and marking guidelines are engineered to safely calm traffic. Following these guidelines the Committee: reviewed resident nominated locations; referenced maps from the Madison County GIS; visited locations; selected five that met criteria; and determined a priority order.
The first three are recommended for installation under the current funding authorization and two additional for future consideration to better meet VDOT Speed Hump spacing guidelines. The recommended locations on Malvern Drive follow and are annotated on the reference map
Some useful Internet resources:
Portable Devices
[Last Updated: 10/19/2015]