A properly marked speed hump gets a yellow chevron pavement marking on the leading face plus a MUTCD W17-1 advance warning sign 100 to 200 ft upstream. For night visibility you can add embedded reflective road studs (cat's-eye reflectors) on the apex. Chevron pattern is 6-inch-wide yellow stripes at 45 degrees to direction of travel. The W17-1 is the standard black-on-yellow diamond. Below: the painting and marking procedure with code citations.
Tools and equipment
- Yellow traffic paint (water-based latex or solvent-based)
- Paint sprayer or stencil
- 6-inch chevron stencil (recommended)
- Chalk line and tape measure
- W17-1 advance warning sign with metal post
- Concrete base for sign post (or quick-set concrete mix)
- Optional: embedded reflective road studs with epoxy adhesive
- Traffic-control kit per MUTCD Part 6
Time estimate
60 to 90 minutes per single hump for paint and signage. Add 30 minutes for embedded reflectors if specified.
Step 1: Verify the asphalt has cooled below 100 degrees F
Yellow traffic paint requires asphalt at ambient temperature to bond properly. Wait 60 to 90 minutes after the final asphalt lift is rolled before applying paint. Test the surface with a hand check; if it feels warm but not hot, paint will adhere.
Step 2: Set the chevron pattern with chalk
Chalk-mark the chevron pattern on the leading face of the hump. The standard pattern uses 6-inch yellow stripes at 45-degree angles, spaced 12 inches on-center. The chevrons point in the direction of travel (the apex of each "V" points away from the approaching driver).
For a 12-foot wide lane, the leading face of the hump fits 8 to 10 chevron stripes across the lane.
Step 3: Apply yellow traffic paint
Use a paint sprayer or stencil to apply the chevron pattern. Two coats are standard for thermal-resistance and visibility. Allow 30 to 60 minutes between coats for tack-cure.
The MUTCD does not specify exact paint volumes; most Oregon city standards spec 8 to 10 gallons of yellow latex per single-hump chevron pattern, applied at 15 to 20 mils dry film thickness for durability.
Step 4: Install the W17-1 advance warning sign
Place the W17-1 sign 100 to 200 ft upstream of the hump. The sign is a black-on-yellow diamond, 30 to 36 inches across, mounted on a metal post in a concrete base. Install the post in a 12-inch diameter, 24-inch deep concrete footing.
The MUTCD's standard sign-mounting height is 5 to 7 ft from the ground to the bottom of the sign. On streets with curbs, set the sign back 2 to 4 ft from the curb face. On streets without curbs, set back 6 to 12 ft from the edge of pavement.
Step 5: Optional - install embedded reflective road studs
For nighttime visibility, embed reflective road studs (cat's-eye reflectors) on the apex of the hump at 4 to 6 ft spacing across the lane. Drill 1-inch diameter holes 1.5 inches deep, fill with epoxy adhesive, and seat the reflectors flush with the asphalt surface.
This step is optional for private-property installs but mandatory in some city standards (Portland, Salem, Eugene). Reflectors add $80 to $200 to the install cost.
What does the MUTCD say about speed hump marking?
The MUTCD does not specify a mandatory chevron pattern for speed humps; the chevron pattern is recommended practice (referenced in the FHWA Traffic Calming ePrimer (FHWA ePrimer) and in Oregon city standard details).
The MUTCD does specify:
- W17-1 advance warning sign as the standard upstream marker
- Yellow paint color for any pavement marking on a hump
- Sign placement and mounting height standards in Part 2C
Cities adopt the chevron pattern through their local standard details. The pattern's purpose is to provide visual cue at distance; the chevrons appear as bright yellow tilted lines from upstream, alerting drivers to the device.
How does Oregon DOT spec sign placement?
Oregon DOT's Traffic Manual aligns with MUTCD on W17-1 placement at 100 to 200 ft upstream. For school zones and high-pedestrian areas, additional supplementary plaques may apply:
- S1-1 (school zone advance warning) on streets within school-zone limits
- S4-3 (school speed limit assembly) where school-zone speeds apply
Coordinate sign placement with the school district transportation office and city public works on school-zone installs.
How do you maintain pavement markings?
Yellow traffic paint typically requires refresh every 1 to 3 years on speed humps. The leading-face chevron pattern wears faster than the surrounding pavement because:
- Vehicles cross at slow speed with high contact pressure
- Sun exposure on a raised surface accelerates UV degradation
- Tire abrasion concentrates at the apex
Annual inspection plus a refresh every 18 to 30 months keeps the marking visible. For full maintenance details, see the speed hump maintenance guide.
Cost summary
Industry Baseline Range
| Item | Cost (per hump) |
|---|---|
| Yellow paint chevron pattern (initial) | $100 to $300 |
| W17-1 sign + post + concrete base | $200 to $500 |
| Embedded reflective road studs (optional) | $80 to $200 |
| Pavement marking refresh (every 18 to 30 mo) | $80 to $250 |
Current market reality
Pavement marking costs in 2026 reflect roughly 12% increases in latex traffic paint prices over 2024 baselines, plus tight skilled-paint-applicator labor in Oregon. Multi-unit projects on the same street save 15 to 20% on per-unit marking cost because the paint crew handles all chevron patterns in one mobilization.
Frequently asked questions
What color paint is used for speed humps? Yellow. The MUTCD specifies yellow as the color for any traffic-calming-device pavement marking. White is not used on speed humps.
Is the chevron pattern mandatory? The chevron pattern is recommended practice but not federally mandated. Most Oregon cities require it through their local standard detail.
Where does the W17-1 sign go? 100 to 200 ft upstream of the hump. The sign is the MUTCD standard advance warning for a bump or hump.
How often should pavement marking be repainted? Every 18 to 30 months for chevron patterns on speed humps. Annual inspection helps catch fading before it becomes a visibility problem.
Are reflective road studs required? Optional in most jurisdictions; mandatory in some Oregon city standards (Portland, Salem, Eugene). Verify the local standard before omitting them.
Get Compliant Marking
Cojo installs and maintains ITE-compliant, MUTCD-signed speed-hump pavement marking across Oregon. Contact Cojo for a quote, or see speed hump standards for full code reference.