Smart Speed Bumps Now Active In Denmark
Denmark’s first two “intelligent” speed bumps will go into operation on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Because these speed bumps only come up when you drive too quickly, they don’t irritate other drivers. So, another reason to take it slow while depressing the pedal is the possibility of enjoying a more enjoyable drive.
On the Danish island of Zealand, the first speed bumps of this kind are already in use in Lejre and Vordingborg. They will undergo a year of testing before being evaluated. In Faaborg, plans for intelligent speed bumps have also been developed, however they are set to be abandoned because of concerns about noise pollution from surrounding homes.
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The Danish Road Directorate has issued Drive One a press statement (in Danish) with further information on the new speed bumps. The new speed bumps are actually dropped below the level of the road, in contrast to standard speed bumps, which are lifted above the ground. A metal plate makes up the hump, and if a speed camera detects excessive speed, it lowers six millimeters. Only when you exceed 50 km/h will the bump cause you any inconvenience.
Positive International Experiences
The Swedish company Edeva is responsible for developing and distributing the bump, which goes by the name Actibump. Over the course of the last 12 years, Sweden’s bumps have shown to be efficient in slowing down traffic. Other countries that utilize intelligent speed bumps include Australia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Finland.
Additionally, according to the Danish Road Directorate, Actibump is not harmful, although it will be felt clearly if you drive over it quickly. Per the Road Directorate, the bumps have undergone extensive testing in both Nordic and all-weather conditions, and they will not raise your car’s risk of damage or accidents.
Anticipating More Seamless Traffic
Before the new speed bumps were activated, drivers on certain areas had already decelerated. Based on observations made abroad, the average speed near an Actibump is around five kilometers per hour less than the posted speed limit. Naturally, this also shows that people using the roads do not travel noticeably slower than the posted speed limit.
The fact that the new speed bumps are supposed to facilitate smoother traffic is one of its best features. This benefits the environment as well as those who utilize the roads. Unlike a typical speed bump, an Actibump doesn’t compel you to slow down much as long as you follow the posted speed limit. As a result, for example, a bus can pass a bump without stopping and then accelerating again, and traffic has not slowed down.
The new speed bumps are already marked with signs to give local drivers advance notice of their impending arrival. In the future, it will be fascinating to watch if intelligent speed bumps become more popular.