Speed bump standards in Australia depend on where the speed hump is being installed. Off-street car parks, private access areas and public roads can be subject to different standards and road-authority requirements, so there is no single specification that applies to every location.
For off-street parking facilities, including private and commercial car parks, the key standard is AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 Parking facilities – Off-street car parking. Australian Standards generally use the term “speed hump” rather than speed bump.
This guide explains which requirements apply to different sites, including Type 1 and Type 2 speed humps, dimensions, spacing, placement, pavement markings and signage.
Which Speed Bump Standards Apply to Your Site?
The speed bump standards you need to consider depend first on where the speed hump is being installed.
| Where is the speed hump being installed? | Standards or requirements to check |
| Off-street car park | AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 |
| Shopping centre, office or apartment car park | AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 |
| Multi-storey or covered car park | AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 |
| Private parking or access area that forms part of an off-street parking facility | AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 may be relevant |
| Public or local road | 1742.13:2023, along with applicable state, territory and local road-authority requirements |
It’s important to note that there is not one set of speed bump specifications that applies to every location in Australia.
Speed Bump Standards for Off-Street Car Parks
If you’re installing a speed hump in an Australian off-street car park, the main standard to know is AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 – Parking facilities: Off-street car parking.
It covers requirements such as the shape, dimensions, placement, spacing and visibility of speed humps used in off-street parking areas.
The Standard refers to two main types of speed hump:
- Type 1: Speed humps are broader humps generally used on longer aisles and circulating roadways.
- Type 2: Speed humps are shorter, flat-top humps generally used in more confined parking areas.
The requirements are different for each type, so before looking at measurements or spacing, it helps to understand which type of speed hump you’re dealing with.
Type 1 vs Type 2 Speed Humps
The choice between Type 1 and Type 2 depends mainly on where the hump will be installed and the speed conditions in that area. Type 1 humps are better suited to longer aisles and circulating roadways where vehicles may be travelling above 30 km/h and need to be slowed to around 25 km/h or less. Type 2 humps are intended for more confined areas, such as covered or multi-storey car parks, where vehicles are generally already travelling at around 30 km/h or less.
The table below compares the main requirements for each type.
| Requirement | Type 1 | Type 2 |
| Typical use | Long aisles and circulating roadways | Confined, covered and multi-storey car parks |
| Intended speed | Reduce speeds to about 25 km/h or less | Vehicles generally already travelling at 30 km/h or less |
| Height | Max. 75 mm | 25–75 mm |
| Overall profile | Approx. 2,500 mm overall length | Shorter flat-top profile |
| Flat-top width | Not specified in the same way | 100–150 mm |
| Ramp gradient | Not specified as 1:2 | 1:2 |
| Minimum spacing | 30 m | 10 m |
| Max. spacing for continuous control | Approx. 50 m | Approx. 50 m |
Colour and Pavement Markings for Type 1 and 2
Where markings are required to make the speed hump clearly visible, Type 1 and Type 2 speed humps should use the prescribed pavement markings.
Under AS/NZS 2890.1:2004:
- The markings should be white or yellow.
- The marking pattern uses alternating parallel stripes 250 mm wide.
- Raised reflective pavement markers may also be required to supplement the markings in outdoor locations with low lighting.
If a larger road hump covered by AS 1742.13 is being used instead, the markings specified under that standard apply.
Where Should Speed Humps Be Installed?
Meeting the correct dimensions is only part of the requirement. A speed hump also needs to be positioned where drivers can see and approach it safely, without interfering with intersections, vehicle manoeuvring, pedestrian access or drainage.
Before choosing an installation point, look at the surrounding roadway, parking layout, pedestrian routes and site conditions.
Keep Speed Humps Clear of Intersections
Speed humps should be kept clear of intersections. Drivers need enough space to approach, slow down and negotiate the intersection safely. Positioning a hump too close to an intersection can force drivers to brake, turn and cross the hump at the same time.
Avoid Curved Roadways
Speed humps should also be kept clear of curved sections of roadway. A straight approach gives drivers a clearer view of the hump and more time to reduce speed safely. If the car park has bends or tight corners, choose a suitable straight section where the hump can be seen clearly on approach.
Make Sure Drivers Can See the Hump
Drivers should be able to identify the speed hump with enough time to slow down safely. Check the approach from the driver’s perspective and consider lighting, parked vehicles and other obstructions that could affect visibility. Appropriate pavement markings and reflective features can provide additional visibility where required, particularly in low-light areas.
Don’t Interfere With Vehicle Manoeuvring
A speed hump should control vehicle speed without creating an unnecessary obstruction.
Consider how vehicles enter and leave parking spaces, turn through aisles and access loading or service areas. Avoid positioning the hump where it could interfere with normal vehicle movements.
Keep Pedestrian and Accessible Paths Clear
Speed humps must not impede pedestrian or wheelchair traffic on an accessible path of travel.
This is particularly important in shopping centres, office car parks, residential developments and other sites where pedestrians and vehicles share the same area.
When marking out the installation point, check pedestrian routes as well as vehicle movements so the speed hump does not create a new accessibility problem.
Consider Drainage and Site Conditions
Check the pavement and surrounding area before installation. Look for uneven surfaces, drainage points, standing water and other site conditions that could affect the finished installation.
The hump should sit securely on the surface without interfering with drainage or creating an unnecessary trip or access hazard.
The simple rule: choose a location where drivers can see the hump clearly, vehicles can manoeuvre normally, and pedestrians can continue to use their designated paths safely.
How Far Apart Should Speed Humps Be?
The spacing between speed humps depends on the type of hump being used and whether continuous speed control is needed along the roadway.
Under AS/NZS 2890.1:2004:
- Type 1 speed humps: Minimum spacing of 30 m
- Type 2 speed humps: Minimum spacing of 10 m
- For continuous speed control: Spacing should generally not exceed approximately 50 m
These distances should not be applied in isolation. The layout of the site still matters.
When planning multiple speed humps, also consider:
- Intersections and bends
- Parking bays and vehicle manoeuvring
- Pedestrian and accessible paths
- Visibility on approach
- The overall length of the roadway being controlled
The aim is to maintain effective speed control without placing humps so close together that they create unnecessary disruption to normal vehicle movement. If you’re planning a car park installation and aren’t sure how many speed humps you need or where they should go, it’s worth checking the site layout before ordering your products.
Do Speed Bumps Need Signs in Australia?
Whether a speed hump needs a warning sign depends on where it is installed and the traffic-control requirements that apply to that location.
For off-street parking areas covered by AS/NZS 2890.1:2004, the focus is on making the hump clearly identifiable through appropriate positioning, pavement markings and delineation.
Public and Local Roads
Speed humps installed on public or local roads are subject to different traffic-control requirements.
AS 1742.13:2023 covers local area traffic-management devices, but state, territory and local road authorities may also have their own requirements for warning signs, advisory speed signs and pavement markings.
The W5-10 Road Hump sign is one of the warning signs used for road-hump treatments. However, it is not a universal requirement for every speed hump installation, and the required signage can vary depending on the type of treatment and jurisdiction.
Check the Requirements for Your Location
Before installing signage on a public or council-controlled road, check the requirements of the relevant road authority or council.
For private and commercial sites, also check any traffic-management, planning or site-specific requirements that apply.
How to Check Whether a Speed Hump Meets Australian Standards
Once you understand which speed bump standards apply to your site, the next step is checking whether the product itself is suitable.
Before ordering, work through this checklist:
- Application: Is the speed hump designed for the type of site where it will be installed?
- Height: Does it fall within the applicable range for the hump type?
- Profile: Does the shape match the relevant Type 1 or Type 2 requirements?
- Ramp: For Type 2 humps, does the ramp geometry meet the required 1:2 gradient?
- Markings: Where delineation is required, does the installation provide the required white or yellow pavement markings?
- Visibility: Will approaching drivers be able to identify the hump in enough time to slow down?
- Placement: Can it be installed without interfering with intersections, vehicle manoeuvring, pedestrian movement or accessible paths?
- Fixing method: Is the fixing method suitable for the pavement surface?
- Traffic conditions: Is the hump suitable for the type and volume of vehicles using the area?
Check the Product and the Site
It’s important to note that a speed hump can meet the correct dimensions and still be unsuitable for a particular location. Check the manufacturer’s specifications carefully, including the dimensions, profile, materials, fixing points and intended application. Then compare those specifications with the site itself, including the roadway layout, surface condition, visibility, pedestrian routes and vehicle movements.
If the installation is on a public or local road rather than an off-street parking area, also check the requirements of the relevant road authority before choosing a product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speed Bump Standards
Speed Bump vs Speed Hump: Is There a Difference?
If you’re searching for speed bumps and speed humps, you’ll often see the terms used interchangeably. Both are commonly used to describe raised traffic-calming devices designed to slow vehicles down.
When you’re checking Australian requirements, though, speed hump and road hump are the terms you’re more likely to encounter in standards and technical guidance. The important thing is that different hump designs can have very different dimensions and intended applications.
A longer, more gradual hump is not the same as a shorter, more aggressive speed bump. Other traffic-calming treatments, such as raised crossings, are designed for different purposes and shouldn’t automatically be treated as the same type of device.
So, if you’re choosing a product for your car park, don’t rely on the name alone. Check the profile, dimensions, intended speed environment and installation requirements.
For the purposes of this guide, we’ll use speed bump as the common search term and speed hump when referring to the terminology used in Australian standards and technical guidance.
Can you park on a speed bump in Australia?
There isn’t a blanket national rule that says parking on every speed hump is always illegal.
Whether you can park on or near a speed hump depends on the location, applicable road rules, signs, pavement markings and whether you’re using a public road or privately owned facility.
Are rubber speed humps compliant with Australian Standards?
The material alone doesn’t determine whether a speed hump is compliant.
A rubber speed hump can be suitable when its design, dimensions, profile, markings and intended application meet the requirements that apply to the site.
When you’re comparing products, don’t just look for “rubber” or “Australian compliant” in the product description. Check the actual specifications and make sure they’re appropriate for your application.
Do Australian speed bump standards apply on private property?
It depends on the type of private property and how the area is being used.
For off-street parking facilities, standards such as AS/NZS 2890.1 are relevant to the design and use of parking areas. However, Australian Standards are not automatically legislation in every circumstance. They may become mandatory through legislation, planning or approval requirements, contracts or other applicable rules.
Privately owned sites can also have their own access, safety and traffic-management requirements. If you’re installing a speed hump in a shopping centre, apartment complex, warehouse or other private facility, check both the relevant standards and any site-specific or local requirements that apply.
Can I install a speed bump myself?
A modular speed hump may be physically straightforward to install, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the compliance side.
Before you install one yourself, check that the product, dimensions, placement, fixing method and site layout are suitable for your application. You’ll also need to make sure the installation doesn’t interfere with pedestrian or accessible paths, drainage or normal vehicle movement.
Do speed humps have to be yellow and black?
No. A speed hump does not have to be manufactured entirely in yellow and black to meet the standard.
Where delineation is required under AS/NZS 2890.1:2004, the prescribed pavement markings for Type 1 and Type 2 humps use alternating parallel white or yellow markings, 250 mm wide.
The important consideration is whether the finished installation meets the relevant marking and visibility requirements, rather than whether the product itself is manufactured in a particular colour combination.
Are the rules the same in every Australian state?
No. While Australian Standards provide an important baseline, state and territory road authorities, councils and site-specific requirements can also apply.
This distinction is particularly important when you’re dealing with a public road or local traffic-management project rather than an off-street parking facility.
If you’re installing a speed hump on private property, check the requirements that apply to your particular facility. For public roads, check with the relevant road authority or council before proceeding.
Choosing the Right Speed Hump with Bollard Shop
The right speed hump depends on where it will be installed, the type of traffic using the area and the standards or road-authority requirements that apply. Before choosing a product, check the hump type, dimensions, spacing, markings, placement and site conditions so you can be confident the installation is appropriate for the location.
The Bollard Shop supplies a range of rubber and plastic speed humps for car parks, workplaces and other private traffic areas. You can compare available options online or speak to the team if you need help choosing a product that suits your site and meets the relevant speed bump standards.
