Councils across Australia are under increasing pressure to enhance road safety, particularly in residential areas, school zones, and high-pedestrian traffic precincts. Yet, with limited budgets and lengthy approval timelines, it’s often a challenge to balance public expectations with fiscal responsibility. Fortunately, not every safety upgrade requires large-scale construction or disruptive infrastructure changes.
By embracing compliant, modular traffic calming solutions, councils can dramatically improve community safety, often within 48 hours and without exceeding their budgets. Local governments can lead by example with swift, effective, and affordable road safety solutions that align with both policy objectives and public needs.
Local governments have a mandate to keep their communities safe. But when it comes to road infrastructure, traditional upgrades, such as full road resurfacing, curb realignment, or permanent traffic islands, can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. They’re often accompanied by red tape, lengthy approval processes, and extensive disruption to road users.
Meanwhile, pressure from residents to reduce speeding, protect pedestrians, and improve cycling infrastructure continues to grow. This is particularly true around schools, parks, aged care facilities, and shopping strips, where vulnerable road users are often present.
The good news? Councils don’t need to wait years or spend big to make a noticeable impact. Modular traffic calming solutions offer a more innovative and flexible approach.
Modular traffic calming products are prefabricated, engineered systems designed to control vehicle speed and behaviour. Examples include:
These solutions are not only compliant with Australian road safety standards (such as AS 1742 and AS/NZS 2890) but they can also be installed in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional works. Most can be deployed using council maintenance crews, with no excavation or resurfacing required.
Speed cushions are one of the most effective ways to reduce vehicle speeds without completely halting traffic flow. Unlike concrete or asphalt speed humps that require excavation and bitumen work, modular rubber cushions can be bolted into the existing road surface.
They are especially effective in areas with high pedestrian traffic or near schools, where slowing down cars is critical. Because they can be removed or relocated later, they’re also a low-risk trial option for councils looking to test public response before committing to permanent infrastructure.
Cost: Typically 70% less than concrete alternatives
Installation Time: Less than 4 hours per site
Benefit: Immediate reduction in vehicle speeds, minimal disruption
Pedestrian safety is a top concern in town centres, around transit stops, and near aged care homes. Installing a permanent pedestrian refuge or crossing can involve curb realignments and drainage work, but modular units made from pre-cast concrete or durable rubber can be installed without cutting into the existing road.
Modular pedestrian refuges guide foot traffic safely across roads, provide visibility to approaching drivers, and can be installed with solar lighting and bollards for added safety.
Cost: One-third of a traditional concrete island
Installation Time: Within a single working day
Benefit: Promotes walkability, increases safety for vulnerable users
Research consistently shows that narrower travel lanes result in lower average vehicle speeds. Councils can install lane narrowing devices such as bolt-down kerb extensions or paint and post delineation within hours.
These are particularly useful in shopping strips and shared zones where calming traffic without eliminating on-street parking is a key goal. Combined with visual cues like contrasting paint or planter boxes, the effect is both functional and visually appealing.
Cost: Minimal, especially when using in-house labour
Installation Time: 2–6 hours per site
Benefit: Immediate behavioural shift in driver caution
Residential streets with a soft “S” curve are more conducive to slower driving and increased road awareness. Modular chicanes utilise bolt-down curbing and bollards to modify the travel path without requiring major construction.
These systems are excellent for traffic-calming trials, especially in response to resident petitions or neighbourhood traffic studies. Because they’re not permanent, councils can adjust layouts easily based on community feedback or vehicle tracking data.
Cost: A fraction of permanent civil works
Installation Time: 1–2 days
Benefit: Calms traffic while preserving street aesthetics
Before committing to a full-scale roundabout, which may cost up to $500,000, councils can test the concept using a modular, bolt-down version. These kits mimic the design and functionality of permanent roundabouts but are faster and significantly cheaper to install.
They’re ideal for intersections with collision histories or complaints of confusing priority. Portable roundabouts offer an immediate improvement in intersection flow and safety, providing the council with time to assess long-term needs.
Cost: 10–15% of a full concrete roundabout
Installation Time: 24–48 hours
Benefit: Reduces intersection crashes, improves flow and legibility
Compliance and Community Support
A key concern for many councils is ensuring compliance with road safety standards. Fortunately, most reputable modular traffic calming products are pre-certified to meet relevant Australian standards. Choosing trusted suppliers ensures installations will:
Community engagement is another critical component of successful traffic calming. Because modular solutions are visible, fast, and low disruption, they are often better received than lengthy construction projects. Councils can lead with transparency by explaining that these are scalable, trial-based installations designed to improve safety with minimal impact.
Although modular upgrades are far more cost-effective, councils still need to justify their expenditure. Fortunately, funding opportunities and internal budget strategies make this easier than ever:
Many councils also allocate a portion of their operational budget to quick-response road safety treatments, ideal for modular installations that require no capital works planning.
Councils that adopt modular traffic calming are not only saving money—they’re demonstrating leadership. By prioritising flexible, standards-compliant upgrades, councils can:
In a climate where cost control and public trust are more important than ever, these fast-deployable solutions allow councils to demonstrate progress, responsibility, and innovation—all without blowing the budget.
Safe streets don’t have to cost millions. By thinking modular, temporary, and tactical, councils can lead the way toward more liveable communities, starting today.
When residents see that their local government is taking action quickly and effectively, it builds trust, encourages collaboration, and sets the tone for long-term transformation.
If you’re a council planner, traffic engineer, or asset manager, now is the ideal time to explore modular traffic calming solutions. Not only is it possible to install compliant upgrades in under 48 hours, it’s the smart, budget-conscious way to make real change.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
For 10 years, our focus has been on one thing: to provide one style of product and to do it well.
Our wheel stops, speed humps and rumble bars meet Australian Standards, don’t fade, and we’ve never needed to replace one.
