Mayor Walsh Announces Expansion of Speed Hump Program
Published on November 01, 2023
11 new speed humps will be added to existing 16 locations across Syracuse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the addition of speed humps in five city neighborhoods. The Department of Public Works (DPW) is installing 11 new speed humps on five streets beginning Nov. 2 to expand the Speed Hump program, which was first launched in 2021 to deter speeding and increase pedestrian safety.
Under the program, speed humps are installed on different types of residential and park roads to slow traffic and study their impacts on driver behavior. Speed data is collected at each location before and after installation to study changes in traffic flow and average speeds. Speed data is also collected on various adjacent streets to monitor whether there are changes to the local street network after speed humps are installed. The City uses the information to evaluate the effectiveness of the speed humps and determine other locations where they may be needed. The DPW worked with the Fire Department to develop a "Speed Cushion" design for the new installations, slowing passenger vehicles while allowing emergency vehicles to pass through without delay.
“Expanding the speed hump program in phases helps ensure we are using the right traffic calming measures in the right places,” said Mayor Walsh. “With this data-driven approach, the goal is to improve overall neighborhood safety and not just shift the problem to other streets. This expanded program contributes to achieving our goal of becoming a becoming a Vision Zero city, a global program eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.”
The locations of the new sites are:
- Allen Street (400 block)
- Buckingham Avenue (300, 400 and 500 block)
- Hawley Avenue (200, 300 and 400 block)
- Park Street (1600 and 1700 block)
- W Pleasant Avenue (100 and 300 block)
Signage and pavement markings will alert drivers to the new speed humps. Residents can find an interactive map of the locations of the speed humps at Speed Hump Pilot Program.
The pilot program received an award for Transportation Project of the Year by the Upstate Chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) which recognized DPW’s methodical data-driven approach as an example for other communities to follow. Following these installations, a final Determination of Effectiveness is anticipated in Winter 2024. The Determination of Effectiveness will outline best practices for installing speed humps and the locations in which they are most effective.
More information on the Speed Hump Program can be found at Speed Hump Pilot Program.