Department of Public Works
Traffic and Transportation Planning Division
SPEED HUMP/CUSHION PROGRAM PACKAGE
Updated by City Council 4/23/2024
Speed Hump/Cushion Program
2 On July 13, 2010, the City of Santa Clarita (City) City Council adopted procedures and policies to allow the placement of speed humps/cushions (speed cushions) on City-maintained roads.
Speed cushions are designed to discourage speeding.
Speed Cushion Installation Requirements
To be eligible for consideration of speed cushions:
• 10% of property owners on the subject street must support the initiation of the speed cushion evaluation, and
• The subject street segment must:
o Have a speed limit of 25 mph and 85% of vehicles travelling at 30 mph or greater, as observed during a City-conducted traffic study,
o Have at least 1,500 vehicles using it every day,
o Be at least 500 feet long,
o Have only one lane in each direction, and
o Not exceed an average sustained grade of six percent. • Other physical characteristics that may limit the feasibility of speed cushions on a particular street include locations of driveways, locations of access covers to underground utilities, locations of catch basins and other drainage structures, existing drainage issues or difficulties, and visibility for safe stopping distance from speed cushions. • Speed cushion installation should not cause significant diversion of traffic to other residential streets, to the satisfaction of the City Traffic Engineer. • If these are all met, 67% of property owners on the subject street must support installation of speed cushions based on a City-conducted survey.
Requesting Speed Cushions
A property owner living on the subject street interested in having speed cushions installed must submit a Speed Hump/Speed Cushion Request Form to the City.
The Speed Hump/Speed Cushion Request Form (see page 6) can be sent to the City’s Traffic and Transportation Division by email at [email protected] or mail:
City of Santa Clarita
Traffic and Transportation Planning Division
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Property owners can also submit a virtual form at SantaClarita.gov/RSC.
For additional information, contact the Traffic Division at (661) 255-4942.
Speed Hump/Cushion Program
3 Procedures for Processing Speed Cushion Requests
1. An individual property owner that believes the residents on their street will support the installation of speed cushions must submit a Speed Hump/Speed Cushion Study Request Form to the City (see page 6). The City will determine on a preliminary basis the property owners on the subject street segment that would abut the potential speed cushion installation and direct the requestor to collect signatures to demonstrate at least 10% of those property owners support the evaluation of speed cushions.
2. City staff will conduct a formal evaluation, including collecting traffic speed and volume measurements and reviewing the traffic accident history for the subject street. Staff will also consult with the Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department and Transit Division. The City will use speed and volume data to determine limits of affected property owners.
3. If the required minimum street criteria for speed cushions are met, the City will send a survey form to all abutting property owners on the subject street segment as determined by the traffic survey. Each survey form received back by the City must contain full name, address, and signature of the property owner. Any survey form with incomplete information is subject to rejection. If no response is received from an address, City staff will make at least two attempts on separate days to contact the property owner.
4. At least 67% of the abutting property owners on the subject street segment, as determined by the traffic survey, must support installation of speed cushions. Upon verification of the survey, the property owners will be notified in writing of the results of the survey.
5. If the subject street segment meets both the minimum street/traffic criteria and property owner support, the subject street segment will be added to the City’s speed cushion priority list. Based on available funding and approval by the City Council, the City will proceed with installation of speed cushions.
Speed Cushion Subsequent Request Timeline
Installation Requests
A Speed Hump/Speed Cushion Request Form must come from a property owner on the subject street segment to initiate this process. No property owner-initiated request for speed cushions will be considered within 36 months of any prior formal request for speed cushions on the subject street that failed to gain 67% support.
Removal Requests
The removal of any speed cushion or series of speed cushions will be based on a two-thirds vote of property owners on the subject street segment, administered by the City at the request of an abutting property owner with a petition signed by 10% of property owners within the established boundary. No removal requests will be considered within 36 months after speed cushion installation to allow sufficient time for the speed cushions to have the desired traffic-calming effect; nor will a removal request be considered within 36 months of a previous removal request that failed to gain 67% support.
Speed Hump/Cushion Program
4 Frequently Asked Questions
What is a speed cushion?
Speed cushions in the City typically consist of three or four raised, separated mounds that are similar to traditional speed humps in that they are designed to discourage speeding. Speed cushions allow emergency vehicles to pass through freely and can have less of an impact on bicyclists and motorcyclists than speed humps.
Are speed cushions effective?
Speed cushions have been shown to
reduce the speed of vehicles on
residential streets. Studies indicate the
85th percentile speed (the speed at which
85% of all vehicles travel) decreased 4
to 6 miles per hour after speed
humps/cushions were installed.
Will a speed cushion affect emergency
response times to my home?
No, speed cushions are designed to have
a negligible impact on emergency
vehicle access. Emergency vehicles can
pass over the speed cushions at or near
the speed limit.
Can speed cushions be installed on any street?
Speed cushions are not intended for use on all streets. They are permitted on residential streets maintained by the City that have a minimum length of 500 feet, posted or prima facie speed limit of 25 mph, daily traffic volume of at least 1,500 vehicles, and do not exceed a sustained grade of six percent, among other requirements listed on page 2. Streets that meet this criteria will be evaluated by City staff to determine if traffic volumes warrant speed cushion installation.
Who can request speed cushions?
An individual property owner with an address on the subject street can submit a Speed Hump/Cushion Study Request Form for speed cushion consideration. After the City receives the request, City staff will direct the requestor to collect signatures from at least 10% of the property owners on the subject street segment based on preliminary review by City staff. If an installation request fails to gain sufficient support from property owners on the subject street segment, subsequent installation requests will not be considered within 36 months.
Speed Hump/Cushion Program
5 Who pays for the traffic study, property owner survey, and installation of speed cushions?
The City is responsible for all costs associated with studying, formal surveying, and installing speed cushions and is also responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the speed cushions. The requestor is responsible for demonstrating 10% of property owners within a preliminary boundary on the subject street segment provided by the City support speed cushion installation.
How do I know if my neighbors will be interested in having speed cushions installed?
If you observe a large number of vehicles speeding on your street, your neighbors may share your concerns. Some neighbors may be opposed to speed cushions for the following reasons:
• The additional traffic signs, street painting, and speed cushions detract from the appearance of the neighborhood.
• Parking on some areas of the street may be limited due to placement of the speed cushions. • Some drivers may speed up between speed cushions to make up for perceived time lost. • Some residents report that noise levels increase with vehicles going over speed cushions.
I live on a private street – can I participate in this Program?
The City does not have jurisdiction over private streets. The Program only applies to residential streets that are maintained by the City and meet the criteria defined on page 2 of this packet. If you aren’t sure if you live on a private street, call the Traffic Division at (661) 255-4942.
Can speed cushions be removed?
Property owners on the subject street segment can request that speed cushions be removed with a petition demonstrating 10% of property owners support removal. The City will conduct a survey, and with two-thirds agreement, will remove the speed cushions. No requests for removals will be considered within 36 months after speed cushion installation to allow sufficient time for the speed cushions to have the desired traffic-calming effect, nor will a removal request be considered within 36 months of a previous removal request.
Speed Hump/Cushion Study Request Form
6 CITY USE ONLY
Eligible Not Eligible Initials: ______
The following is an application form to request speed cushions. Each request must be made by an individual property owner on the subject street. Upon receipt of this request, City staff will determine a preliminary boundary of affected property owners on the subject street segment, to the satisfaction of the City Traffic Engineer, and will provide the requester with a petition form. The requester must demonstrate a minimum of 10% of the total number of those property owners on the subject street segment support the request for speed cushions. The request will be processed in accordance to the City of Santa Clarita’s adopted Speed Cushion Program. No request for speed cushions will be considered within 36 months of any prior formal request for speed cushions.
Street Study Information
Each request must provide the name of the street (s) on which a study is requested and the boundaries of the street segment.
Requested Street: _____________________________________ Boundary Area: From: _____________________________To: ____________________________
Requested Street: _____________________________________ Boundary Area: From: _____________________________To: ____________________________
If more streets are requested, please attach a separate sheet.
City staff retains the right to modify this request by either expanding or shortening the project boundary area as well as including neighboring streets not initially requested, to the satisfaction of the City Traffic engineer.
Contact Information
Name: ____________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
Santa Clarita, CA Zip: ___________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________
Submission Options
Via mail: Via email:
City of Santa Clarita
Traffic and Transportation Planning Division
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
[email protected]
Online:
SantaClarita.gov/RSC
Speed Hump/Cushion Study Removal Form
7 CITY USE ONLY
Eligible Not Eligible Initials: ______
The following is an application form to request removal of speed cushions. Each request must be made by an individual property owner on the subject street. Upon receipt of this request, City staff will determine a preliminary boundary of affected property owners on the subject street segment, to the satisfaction of the City Traffic Engineer, and will provide the requester with a petition form. The requester must demonstrate a minimum of 10% of the total number of those property owners on the subject street segment support the removal of speed cushions. The request will be processed in accordance to the City of Santa Clarita’s adopted Speed Cushion Program. No requests removals will be considered within 36 months after speed cushion installation to allow sufficient time for the speed cushions to have the desired traffic -calming effect; nor will a removal request be considered within 36 months of a previous removal request.
Street Information
Each request for removal of speed cushions must provide the name of the street or streets on which the removal(s) is/are being requested.
Requested Street: _____________________________________ Boundary Area: From: _____________________________To: ____________________________
Requested Street: _____________________________________ Boundary Area: From: _____________________________To: ____________________________
Contact Information
Name: ____________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
Santa Clarita, CA Zip: ___________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________
Submission Options
Via mail: Via email:
City of Santa Clarita
Traffic and Transportation Planning Division
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
[email protected]
Online:
SantaClarita.gov/RSC
SPEED CUSHION MARKING DETAILNOT TO SCALE
14'
6'CONSTRUCTION NOTES:1.SPEED CUSHIONS SHALL BE 14' X 6' X 3"2.SPEED CUSHIONS SHALL BE INSTALLEDACROSS THE ROADWAY AS INDICATED ONCITY STANDARD PLAN 002-1.3.W17-1 "SPEED HUMP" SIGNS SHALL ONLY BEINSTALLED FOR STREET LOCATIONS WITH ASINGLE ROW OF SPEED CUSHIONS. INSTALLIN EACH DIRECTION AT LEAST 100' PRIOR TOTHE SINGLE SPEED CUSHION ROW.4.W84(CA) "SPEED HUMPS AHEAD" SIGNSSHALL BE INSTALLED FOR A SERIES OFSPEED CUSHION ROWS ALONG A STREETSEGMENT. INSTALL EACH SIGN AT LEAST100' PRIOR TO THE FIRST SPEED CUSHIONROW OF THE SERIES IN THE RESPECTIVEDIRECTION OF TRAVEL.5.W13-1P(15) ADVISORY SPEED PLAQUE SIGNSHALL BE INSTALLED TO SUPPLEMENTW17-1 OR W84(CA).MODULE DIMENSIONSWIDTH - 18" (+/- 116")LENGTH - 42" (+/- 18")THICKNESS - 3" (+/- 18")SPEED CUSHION SPECSWIDTH - 6'LENGTH - 14'HEIGHT - 3" MPH
PHYSICAL PROPERTIESMATERIAL - 100% RECYCLED SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL RUBBER COMPOSITETENSILE STRENGTH - MINIMUM 500PSISHORE HARDNESS - MINIMUM 70ASPECIFIC GRAVITY - 1.1MARKINGS - RUBBER MODULES ALL BLACK, BLACK WITH WHITE REFLECTIVESQUARE MARKINGS AND WHITE REFLECTIVE ARROW CHEVRONS SIGN LEGEND: