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Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

badennova.es

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Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#41

Post by freditup »

bfung wrote: post #24

Can someone enlighten me on why we need a smarter speed bump? If cars going too fast are going to be damaged either way, there's no benefits on that end. If the motivation is that cars can go slightly faster overall over the bump to reduce traffic... then don't put a bump there!?!? Slow traffic will still be slow?

Speed bumps can be painful for those with back injuries (and likely other injuries). An elderly relative of mine would have to get out of vehicles at curbs or speed bumps and get back in the car on the other side. A smarter speed bump could presumably reduce this pain as long as one goes over the speed bump at a slow speed.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#42

Post by masklinn »

bfung wrote: post #24

Can someone enlighten me on why we need a smarter speed bump? If cars going too fast are going to be damaged either way, there's no benefits on that end. If the motivation is that cars can go slightly faster overall over the bump to reduce traffic... then don't put a bump there!?!? Slow traffic will still be slow?

> Can someone enlighten me on why we need a smarter speed bump?

So that there is only a "bump" if you're above the limit, that would be less annoying (and potentially damaging for low-clearance cars) for people who follow the rules.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#43

Post by Torkel »

Speaking to a founder to a competing company (https://www.edeva.se/en/) I found out that there has been many attempts at solving the problems of speed bumps:

- Everybody gets bumped, not only high speed vehicles - Emergency vehicles need to slow down - Bus drivers and others can get back problems from speed bumps

Most solutions break down because the forces and the wear and tear is so tremendous. The solution from Edeva seemed clever to me because the swing a trap door down so the bump comes from the solid ground and not from a moving part.

I'm curious how this liquid solution handles emergency vehicles and the wear+tear. A mechanical solution is good but very expensive. A liquid solution seems like it could be made cheaper.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#44

Post by KGIII »

dottrap wrote: post #28

Badenova posted the first video on the page in 2010. It's been 7 years. Anybody know how adoption has been?

I don't have a direct answer for you. I can try to shine some light on it. I'm retired but worked in a related field. As such, I was expected to keep up with tech such as this and to be able to model the results of this - I modeled traffic at a fine level, ideally.

Since retiring, I've kept my interests up and have paid even more attention to the coming tech. I signed a non-compete, but I still have my interests.

This is the first I've heard of it. I've never heard of it and know of no usage in the industry. And yes, even parking garages sometimes get modeled during the design phase.

So, make of that what you will. I've not only not heard of this product, I've not even heard of this technology being proposed. This may mean that I just missed it.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#45

Post by dfox »

exabrial wrote: post #20

Does it allow emergency vehicles to proceed quickly? :/ That's my main criticism of speed bumps

I think that that is exactly the reason why this will not get used. Many speedbumps are actually designed in a way that they are imperceptible when you go sufficiently fast (80km/h is usual)

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#46

Post by akgerber »

sandworm101 wrote: post #35
maxerickson wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are rarely placed where the prudent maximum speed is much above the posted speed. I guess if there is a patient in fragile condition in the back of an ambulance that would be an issue.

Come to my city. Many limits are based on non-safety things like road noise and antiquated notions re saving fuel. Speed bumps are common in places like huge parking lots where reasonbable varies wildly throughout the day. Bumps are also used to bring traffic down well below the posted limits.

Most American speed limits are well above a safe speed for neighborhoods with pedestrians and cyclists. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0386111214...

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#47

Post by edwhitesell »

The biggest hurdle to speedbump placement for speeders in residential areas is emergency service response times (ISO response times and such).

Now, if you had a speed bump that could become perfectly smooth when emergency vehicles are approaching, but have some other slowing effect for normal traffic, that would be interesting.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#48

Post by TomMarius »

runeks wrote: post #39

From the first video: > “Whether you respect the speed limit or not, your car will suffer from a speed bump regardless.” Can anyone confirm this? I would assume the suspension can handle speed bumps fine at low speeds. That’s what it feels like from inside the car anyway. Couldn’t it be argued that, as we approach a speed of 0 mph, there exists a speed at which no damage is done to the car whatsoever? And, if we plac…

You still have to brake (brake pads and discs suffer for no reason), gear down (transmission suffers) and potentially move off at a low speed (clutch suffers, your wallet suffers if you go over them frequently). Even at minimal speeds (less than 20 km/h), speed bumps feel very unpleasant and I really don't like sounds my car is doing while riding over them.

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#49

Post by Balgair »

l0b0 wrote: post #18

I wonder how the mixture and covering will stand up to millions of crossings, at all kinds of temperatures? Does the covering turn brittle, like most materials after cooling, heating, stretching and being exposed to sunlight? Does the mixture remain uniform over time and at different temperatures, so slow drivers don't get a surprise? Can it withstand the sideways force when someone suddenly brakes while passing it?…

Putting these in Ann Arbor or Tuscon would be the best test. How does it fair in freeze/unfreeze daily cycling like in Michigan? Hows the rubber stuff work in Tuscon where you really can fry an egg on the sidewalk? What's the cost benefit to cash pinched cities, the maintenance, etc? What happens when bored teens try to drain it or inflate it with bottle-rockets? Does the goop damage paint? ETC.

I feel this is a Silicon Valley 'Problem' where everyone else has much tougher/different ones than the Redwood City slogan of 'Climate Best By Government Test.'

Re: Smarter speed bump using non-Newtonian liquid

#50

Post by ygra »

TomMarius wrote: post #48
runeks wrote: post #39

From the first video: > “Whether you respect the speed limit or not, your car will suffer from a speed bump regardless.” Can anyone confirm this? I would assume the suspension can handle speed bumps fine at low speeds. That’s what it feels like from inside the car anyway. Couldn’t it be argued that, as we approach a speed of 0 mph, there exists a speed at which no damage is done to the car whatsoever? And, if we plac…

You still have to brake (brake pads and discs suffer for no reason), gear down (transmission suffers) and potentially move off at a low speed (clutch suffers, your wallet suffers if you go over them frequently). Even at minimal speeds (less than 20 km/h), speed bumps feel very unpleasant and I really don't like sounds my car is doing while riding over them.

Shouldn't speed bumps be designed that you move over them at the speed allowed there, e.g. 30 km/h? So theoretically there wouldn't be a slowdown, unless you're already going faster than allowed.

At least I haven't seen speed bumps in 50 km/h roads just to slow people down.

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