Flat-Top vs. Round-Top: Which Speed Hump Works Best for Strata?

“How should I fit flat-top or round-top speed humps?” is a question that Speed Humps Australia’s technical team often receives from council officers, facility managers, and strata managers. What sort of traffic, what are the safety objectives, and how important is user satisfaction will all eventually drive the answer.

The following is a point-by-point contrast of these two profiles:

What Is a Flat-Top Speed Hump?

This type, or table-top or plateau hump, features an elevated middle with more inclining leading and trailing edges. Vehicles have to decelerate significantly before they are able to climb the high platform.

Advantages:

• slows vehicles down to 10–20 km/h due to the steep ramp gradients.
• Very effective at controlling vehicle speed over a short distance
• Best for areas with pedestrians where there is considerable danger of collisions (e.g. crossing areas, common zones)
• enforces strict compliance in shopping centres parking, residential or commercial.

Drawbacks: Can be more aggressive towards regular customers, especially in busy car parks.

• Unless correctly installed, it can result in complains in busy areas.
• Applied Best In: Strata access-controlled driveways
• Shopping centre car parks
• Childcare and school crossings
• Situation with a mix of pedestrians and cars where speed control is required

 What Is a Round-Top Speed Hump?

Traditional round-top humps, or “speed bumps” in some models, are brief, rounded piles that develop a more ramp-like rollover effect.

Benefit:

• Gentle yet effective slowing of speed
• eliminates jarring to residents and regular users.
• Suitable for apartment communities with high volume traffic

Limitations:

• Speed reduction may be less effective using flat-top units.
• Less so on long or high-speed drives

Suitable For: Apartment complexes with extended drives

• Inner low-speed freeways in residential communities
• Body corporate websites that attempt to find a balance between control and comfort

Key Differences At a Glance

Our Recommendation

If you need strong speed enforcement near crossings or entry points, go with flat-top humps — they deliver results fast. If your priority is long-term resident comfort with daily crossings, round-top humps are more subtle but still effective.

Need help choosing the right option?
Call Speed Humps Australia on 1300 138 568 or book a free site inspection at
www.speedhumpsaustralia.com.au/contact.