Speed Cushions

Speed cushions are a type of speed hump that allow larger vehicles, especially fire trucks, to straddle them without significantly slowing down. Several small speed humps are installed in a series across a roadway with spaces in between them. The small humps look like cushions.

Possible Installation Locations

24th Street between Hermosa Vista Drive and Leonora Street

This 1/4-mile segment of 24th Street runs north-south and lies east of Gilbert Road and north of McKellips Road.

24th Street has met all the warranting criteria that makes it eligible for speed cushions, including approval from the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). TAB approved the installation at their July 16, 2024 meeting, and speed cushion installation is planned for Fall of 2024.

If the information regarding the 24th Street segment has not answered your questions, please contact:

Rose Voyles, Traffic Studies Analyst
rose.voyles@mesaaz.gov
480-644-5793

Norwood Street between Lindsay Road and 32nd Street

This 1/2-mile segment of Norwood Street runs east-west and lies south of McDowell Road.

Norwood Street has met all the warranting criteria that makes it eligible for speed cushions. The last step is approval from the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) which met on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 5:30 pm, to vote on staff’s recommendation to proceed with the installation.

If the information regarding the Norwood Street segment has not answered your questions, please contact:

Rose Voyles, Traffic Studies Analyst
rose.voyles@mesaaz.gov
480-644-5793

8th Street between Gilbert Road and Harris Drive

This 1/2-mile segment of 8th Street runs east-west and lies south of Brown Road.

8th Street has met all the warranting criteria that makes it eligible for speed cushions, including approval from the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). TAB approved the installation at their July 16, 2024 meeting, and speed cushion installation is planned for Fall of 2024.

If the information regarding the 8th Street segment has not answered your questions, please contact:

Joe Draper, Traffic Studies Analyst
joe.draper@mesaaz.gov
480-644-5639

Meseto Avenue between Alma School Road and Patterson

This 1/6-mile segment of Meseto Avenue runs east-west and lies north of Guadalupe Road.

If the information regarding the Meseto Avenue segment has not answered your questions, please contact:

Elizabeth Valdez, Traffic Studies Analyst
elizabeth.valdez@mesaaz.gov
480-644-3358

25th Street between Adobe Street and Covina Street

This 1/3-mile segment of 25th Street runs north-south and lies north of University Drive and west of Lindsay Road.

If the information regarding the 25th Street segment has not answered your questions, please contact:

Rose Voyles, Traffic Studies Analyst
rose.voyles@mesaaz.gov
480-644-5793


What are the dimensions of a speed cushion?
Length: 12 feet
Height: 3 inches
Width: at least 6.5 feet

How effective are speed cushions?
A study of the effectiveness of speed cushions on eight streets in Mesa showed that, on average, the 85th percentile speeds when measured mid-way between two sets of speed cushions, decreased by about 7 mph.

What can I do to stop the installation?
The level of neighborhood support is one of many factors that determine whether the speed cushions will be installed. Please refer to the current policy(PDF, 52KB)  for more details on this topic.

Why can't regular speed humps be used?
 Speed humps delay emergency response vehicles much more than speed cushions. Streets considered to be emergency response routes by Mesa's Fire and Medical Department are eligible for speed cushions only.

Will speed cushions damage my car?
To date, we are not aware of any vehicles that have been damaged.

How much do speed cushions cost?
The cost varies depending on the width of the road. To install a set of cushions on a 48-foot wide street costs about $5,000.

Will it cost me anything?
The neighborhood is responsible for all data collection costs required to determine if the street meets the warranting criteria.
For streets that meet all of the warranting criteria, there may be an additional cost to the neighborhood for construction, depending on the volume of traffic. For streets carrying more than 500 vehicles per day, we pay all costs of construction. For streets with fewer than 500 vehicles per day, the neighborhood is responsible for $500 for each set of speed cushions.

Why is Mesa spending monies on this now?
Speeding in neighborhoods is the number one concern for many residents. The City Council supports spending a modest amount to address these concerns.

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