A speed table is a traffic calming device that is a raised section of a roadway designed to slow down vehicles. It is similar to a speed hump but is longer and has a flat-topped "table" area, which allows for a gentler transition for vehicles as they pass over it. The length of a speed table typically accommodates the entire wheelbase of a vehicle, usually around 22 feet (about 7 meters), and its height is generally between 3 and 3.5 inches (75 to 90 mm). Speed tables are often used on collector streets, transit routes, emergency response routes, and residential areas to reduce traffic speed. They are usually accompanied by warning signs to alert drivers. When incorporated with crosswalks, they serve as raised pedestrian crossings, improving safety. Compared to speed bumps, speed tables are less jarring but still encourage drivers to slow to safer speeds, typically reducing vehicle speeds to between 25 and 45 mph depending on spacing and location. They are designed with gradual slopes and sometimes use distinctive materials to highlight their presence to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. They are effective in calming traffic and enhancing safety without severely affecting emergency vehicle movement or resident access.
