top of page

Speed Cushion Pilot Program

Writer's picture: middletennesseenewsmiddletennesseenews

Bethany Porter MTN Reporter, March 8 2021


Alexander Boulevard is the first neighborhood to qualify for the test speed cushion 6-month study Murfreesboro is doing.


The City Engineering Department developed a “Speed Cushion Pilot Program” for approved neighborhoods in order to reduce traffic speed.


The City of Murfreesboro recently installed the speed cushions on Alexander Boulevard in an attempt to slow the traffic on the busy roadway. This roadway is long and straight which enables drivers to pick up speed. A lot of people use this road as a cut-through as well.


Assistant City Engineer Michele Emerson says, “The Speed Cushion Pilot Program is designed to make strategic changes to heavily traveled streets to reduce speed and enhance pedestrian safety. The City Council decided to initiate a pilot program to test out speed devices in some areas and is committed to street improvements specifically designed to improve traffic safety.”


The speed cushions can slow traffic to 15 to 20 mph whereas speed bumps slow traffic down to 2 to 5 mph.


“There is one on each lane and one in the middle designed so emergency vehicles such as fire trucks can straddle the cushions and not be slowed in responding to an emergency. Emergency response is a concern with speed bumps, a device that reduces speed traffic even further than speed cushions,” said Emerson.




After the 6-month study, the City will determine if the use of speed cushions will be installed in other locations. Residents of Alexander Blvd. have been mailed letters with an e-mail address for them to send in feedback.


Comments


bottom of page