Basically, the speed bump is constructed from low arch-shaped beams or something (some material that can support a tremendous amount of weight, obviously) and hooked up to a special mechanism activated by radio device/frequency. The bump would have the ability to retract into near flat-road status if the proper radio signal (or other appropriate signal technology) alerted it to do so. Designated vehicles -- ambulances, fire trucks, etc. -- would have the activating transmitter on their front bumper, and from a distance of about 100 meters or so, the bump would retract. This range of the transmitter could be adjusted, but one would have to give it plenty of time.
-- toomuchmike, May 20 2001

Retractable speed bumps http://speedbumpy2k.wsff.com/
No mention of le sauce Anglaise. Some people have no imagination. [angel, May 20 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]

I was thinking of a remotely controlled custard pump, myself, with a reservoir on the side.

Anyway, conversely, if the police were in a car chase, they could radio ahead, and all the speed bumps would turn into barricades.
-- egnor, May 20 2001


Title changed from "Radio-activated Speed Bumps" to "Retracting Speed Bumps" for clarity. Apologies to those who thought this was about radioactive speed bumps.
-- toomuchmike, May 20 2001


My local town centre has automatic bollards that spring up when non-buses drive over then. People are currently using the town (and this is in the UK) for the damage caused to cars when they pop up, generally in the inside of a car by the accounts of people who are in the middle of court cases.
-- Aristotle, May 21 2001


"Severe Tire Damage"

A drawbridge here malfunctioned a few years ago. One of the two sections popped up a few feet, presenting a flat concrete face to oncoming freeway traffic. Splat.
-- egnor, May 21 2001


[Aristotle] There are similar bollards in my town (also in the UK), although these work by disappearing into the ground when a bus or taxi or other permitted vehicle (emergency services?) approaches, and 'springing' back up when the vehicle has passed. Some drivers have attempted to tailgate permitted vehicles in order to get past the bollards, but have ended up with their car sitting rather uncomfortably about 3 feet off the ground (or at least that is the mental image I entertain). I'm not sure how these bollards are controlled - I think the driver of the vehicle has to authenticate themselves via a 'console' next to the bollard before the bollard will retract.
-- Rodomontade, May 21 2001


Only a sick mind could conceive a speed bump. Can one imagine a speed bump on a rail road?
-- bobsharp, May 26 2001


It's the thought that counts though. In the event of fire, which is merciless in its' speed and destruction, fire trucks need to get there pronto. Unfortunately I live in Los Angeles, which now has speed bumps on otherwise smooth side streets /shortcuts. The rest of the side streets already are too bumpy to drive fast on anymore. God, I hate the road crews here.
-- thumbwax, May 27 2001


Speed bumps could rest in retracted mode and rise when motion detectors sense a reckless driver.
-- zardoz, Jul 30 2003


I was going to post a retracting rumble strip idea, but figured I'd post it as an anno on this one instead. This would be useful in school zones which become 40 km/hr when children are going to/from school.
-- xaviergisz, Dec 05 2009



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