There is no formal federal speed hump device standard. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) governs signage and pavement marking but does not specify speed-hump geometry. Authoritative guidance for speed-hump dimensions, profiles, and spacing comes from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Traffic Calming Manual Chapter 3 and the Federal Highway Administration's Traffic Calming ePrimer. Oregon DOT publishes residential traffic-calming guidance that aligns with ITE; individual Oregon cities have their own standard details that fit within the ITE 12 to 14 ft length, 3 to 4 in height envelope.
Compliance disclaimer
This article reflects 2026 specifications. Always verify current requirements with your local jurisdiction. Standards are reviewed and updated periodically by ITE, FHWA, MUTCD, and Oregon DOT.
Standards reference table
| Standard | Authority | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| ITE Traffic Calming Manual Chapter 3 | Institute of Transportation Engineers | Hump dimensions, profile geometry, spacing |
| FHWA Traffic Calming ePrimer | Federal Highway Administration | Device selection, performance research, application |
| MUTCD Part 2C | Federal Highway Administration | Warning signs (W17-1) |
| MUTCD Part 6 | Federal Highway Administration | Work-zone traffic control |
| Oregon DOT Traffic Manual | Oregon Department of Transportation | State-level signage and marking |
| Oregon ORS 279C | Oregon Statute | Prevailing wage on public works |
| NFPA 1141 / IFC 503 | NFPA / ICC | Fire-apparatus access roads |
ITE Traffic Calming Manual Chapter 3
The ITE Traffic Calming Manual is the authoritative U.S. reference for speed humps and other vertical traffic-calming devices. Chapter 3 specifies:
- Length: 12 to 14 ft in the direction of travel
- Height: 3 to 4 in at apex
- Profile: Parabolic (Watts), sinusoidal, or flat-top (speed table)
- Spacing: 250 to 500 ft on residential streets, target-speed-dependent
- Width across road: matches lane width, full curb-to-curb
The manual is published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers and is the cited authority in nearly every U.S. traffic-calming program. Most Oregon city standard details reproduce the ITE Watts profile geometry directly.
Federal Highway Administration Traffic Calming ePrimer
The FHWA Traffic Calming ePrimer (FHWA ePrimer) provides device-selection guidance, effectiveness research, and application contexts. Key contributions:
- Documents 20 to 30% speed reduction and 15 to 20% volume reduction for properly installed humps
- Compares humps, cushions, tables, and bumps for application fit
- Provides cyclist-comfort research for sinusoidal profiles
- References emergency-vehicle delay studies
The ePrimer is not a device standard but a research and selection authority. Cities use it alongside ITE for program design.
MUTCD signage requirements
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) governs signage that accompanies a speed hump:
- W17-1 advance warning sign. Black-on-yellow diamond sign reading "BUMP" or with the warning symbol. Placed 100 to 200 ft upstream of the hump.
- W17-1 plaque. Optional supplementary plaque indicating the device type ("SPEED HUMP" or "SPEED TABLE").
- Yellow chevron pavement marking. 6-inch yellow stripes at 45-degree angles on the leading face of the hump.
- Reflective markers. Optional embedded reflective road studs (cat's-eye reflectors) for nighttime visibility.
MUTCD Part 6 governs the temporary work-zone signage during installation (MUTCD Part 6). The work-zone setup includes advance warning, lane-shift, taper cones, and flagger station per Part 6 requirements.
Oregon DOT residential traffic-calming guidance
Oregon DOT publishes residential traffic-calming guidance in its Traffic Manual that aligns with ITE. The guidance covers:
- When humps are appropriate on state-designated streets (rare; most state highways do not allow humps)
- Coordination requirements with cities for state-route adjacencies
- Approval process for school-zone humps on routes designated under the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program (Oregon DOT SRTS)
Local roads (city- and county-maintained) follow city or county traffic-calming program specs, which generally match ITE.
Oregon city standard details
Each Oregon city traffic-calming program publishes a standard detail drawing for residential speed humps. Specific city details:
- Portland (PBOT). Standard detail accepts 12 ft Watts, 14 ft sinusoidal (greenway), and 22 ft speed table (transit/fire).
- Salem. Standard detail follows ITE Watts profile at 12 ft length.
- Eugene. Standard detail accepts 12 ft Watts and 14 ft sinusoidal (neighborhood greenway).
- Beaverton. Standard detail follows ITE Watts at 12 ft.
- Bend. Standard detail follows ITE Watts at 12 ft with snow-load product allowances.
- Hillsboro. Standard detail follows ITE Watts at 12 ft.
- Corvallis. Standard detail follows ITE Watts at 12 ft.
City standard details are typically published on the public-works or engineering department's website and are referenced in approved-contractor lists.
Fire access standards (NFPA 1141 / IFC 503)
NFPA 1141 (Standard for Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development) and IFC 503 govern fire-apparatus access roads. The standards do not name speed humps explicitly but allow jurisdictions to approve traffic-calming devices that do not impede fire operations.
In practice, most Oregon fire bureaus prefer speed cushions (with wheel-track gaps) or speed tables on streets identified as primary fire-access routes. Speed humps on these streets get extra scrutiny and may require fire-marshal sign-off before install.
How standards interact
The hierarchy:
- ITE Traffic Calming Manual governs device geometry.
- FHWA ePrimer governs device selection and application.
- MUTCD governs signage and pavement marking.
- Oregon DOT Traffic Manual governs state-route considerations.
- City standard details govern local programs.
- NFPA / IFC govern fire-access constraints.
A typical residential install follows ITE for geometry, FHWA for device selection, MUTCD for signage, the city standard detail for project-specific dimensions, and any fire-access constraints if applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Are there federal speed hump regulations? There is no federal device standard for speed humps. The MUTCD governs related signage and pavement marking but not the device geometry. ITE Traffic Calming Manual Chapter 3 is the de facto U.S. standard.
Does Oregon have a state speed hump standard? Oregon DOT references ITE in its Traffic Manual but does not publish a separate state device standard. Local jurisdictions adopt ITE-based standard details.
What is the W17-1 sign? The MUTCD W17-1 is the advance warning sign for a bump or hump. Black-on-yellow diamond-shaped sign placed 100 to 200 ft upstream of the device.
Do speed humps require permits? On public streets, yes; the city traffic-calming program issues the permit as part of the project approval. On private property, a permit is rarely required but check with the local jurisdiction.
Can I install a speed hump that does not match the city standard detail? On public streets, no; the standard detail is required for program approval. On private property, you can install non-standard geometry but the device may underperform compared to ITE-spec installs.
Get a Code-Compliant Install
Cojo installs ITE-compliant, MUTCD-signed speed humps across Oregon with city standard-detail matching. Contact Cojo for a quote, or see how to install speed humps for the full procedure.