Speed Humps

A speed hump is an in-road traffic calming device used to reduce vehicle speeds on low volume streets. The City of Lowell uses a standard speed hump of 3 inches at maximum height and 12 feet in length in the direction of travel. They extend across the width of the street. 

Speed HumpSpeed Hump in Lowell

Speed humps in Lowell

In 2024, the City installed speed humps in three locations:

  • Christman Avenue, South Lowell
  • Draper Street, Belvidere
  • Sprague Avenue, South Lowell

Vehicle speed data was collected before and after installation. The data shows that the speed hump installations have been effective in reducing vehicle speeds on these streets by up to 30%.

Vehicle Speed Data Recorded at Permanent Speed Hump Locations (2024-2025)

Draper Street Data
Sprague Ave Data

Eligibility Criteria

Locations for new speed hump installations are currently being evaluated, initially based on received resident requests and concerns. The streets are evaluated based on the following factors:

  • Average Daily Traffic
  • Vehicular speed data
  • Demographics of the street
  • Proximity to schools, parks and other community places
  • Feasibility and engineering considerations such as street orientation, number of lanes, slope of the street, planned road construction, and pavement condition

Speed humps are most effective on residential streets that are generally flat and straight, which can cause higher vehicle speeds. They do not hinder on-street parking, emergency vehicle response time, or snow plowing.

Streets are NOT eligible for speed humps if they:

  • Are designated as a primary emergency route by the Lowell Fire Department
  • Have an Average Daily Traffic volume of over 10,000 vehicles per day
  • Are not under the City of Lowell jurisdiction or are a numbered state roadway
  • Are dead-end streets
  • Are less than 15 feet in width
  • Have a slope of over 8% 
  • Have a Road Surface Rating of less than 45, requiring major roadway rehabilitation, City of Lowell - Road Surface Rating Map (2020).pdf  

The map below shows streets that could be considered for speed humps.  Zoom in and click on your street and specific information is provided.  Additional questions? Contact the Transportation Engineer at (978) 674-1405 or submit a 311 request.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Speed Hump Installation Program 2025


What streets are included in Phase 1 of the Speed Hump Installation Program (2025)? 

  • Andrews Street
  • Beacon Street
  • Billerica Street
  • Christman Avenue
  • Coburn Street
  • Eugene Street
  • Hawthorn Street
  • Hollis Street
  • Humphrey Street
  • Jean Avenue
  • Jewett Street
  • Townsend Avenue

Why was my street chosen? An initial request was received through the Traffic Calming Request Form or the 311 Service Request System. Vehicle speed data was collected to determine whether a speeding issue is present. The data collected indicated either that the 85th percentile speed (the speed at which drivers are traveling at or below) on the street is above 30 miles per hour or greater than 2% of the vehicles are traveling over 35 mph. These are the basic criteria for speed hump installation.  Speed humps typically reduce vehicle speeds by 5-7 miles per hour.

What are they made from? What do they look like? The speed humps will be permanently installed, so they will be constructed with asphalt. They are 3 inches high and 12 feet long in the direction of vehicle travel. A plan detail can be found here.  

Why are there more than one or two on my street? Speed humps need to be placed at a specific spacing (300-500 feet) to encourage a steady 25 mph speed for vehicles.  On a longer street, more speed humps are necessary.   Speed humps will be placed to not conflict with driveways or intersections.

Will they impact drainage? No. The speed humps are constructed to allow for regular drainage during storms. They do not add impervious surface area.

Can I park on them? Yes. 

Are there any negative impacts? The City has installed speed hump on three streets to date.   Significant reduction in vehicle speeds over the 25 mph speed limit and in the number of vehicles traveling over 35 mph were recorded. No complaints with regard to noise have been received. Positive feedback has been received that pedestrians feel safer.  Speed humps have been used throughout Massachusetts with great results!

Will speed humps impact snow removal? No. Our snow plowing teams will be notified of locations with speed humps so drivers can know to expect them. Signs will be installed on streets to notify drivers of the location of speed humps.

Will speed humps impact school buses or fire trucks? No. The shape of the speed hump makes them easy for school buses and fire trucks to traverse.  They do not impact the overall response time of emergency vehicles. 

Additional questions? Contact City Transportation Engineer, Elizabeth Oltman, PE, at 978-674-1405 or eoltman@lowellma.gov