Ground-borne vibration generated by vehicles crossing road humps and speedcontrol cushions

Road humps and speed cushions are used to control vehicle speeds in residen tial areas. Ground-borne vibrations are produced when vehicles pass over th ese profiles and in some cases they can reach perceptible levels in adjacen t buildings. This paper describes a study to assess the size and nature of these vibrations. Measurements of peak particle velocity have been taken al ongside a selection of hump and cushion designs using a range of vehicles u nder controlled driving conditions. Vibration levels have been predicted us ing a vehicle model and related to measured values. Results from a previous study of the generation and transmission of traffic vibration in different soils have been used to provide guidance on the siting of these surface pr ofiles to avoid disturbance. The research highlights the need to carefully consider the siting of these profiles especially on soft soils. (C) 2000 Tr ansport Research Laboratory. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.