Where Should You Install Traffic Calming Near Schools or Parks?

When it comes to installing traffic calming near schools or parks, getting the location right is everything. Poor placement can backfire, creating blind spots, failing to reduce vehicle speeds, or even increasing driver frustration without improving safety.

Councils, facility managers, and even P&C groups know the stakes are high. School zones and parks attract high foot traffic, unpredictable pedestrian behaviour, and peak-time congestion. So why do so many traffic calming efforts fall short?

Because the positioning does not follow the patterns of movement found in the real world.

This article examines the effectiveness of traffic calming techniques, such as speed bumps, rumble strips, and elevated platforms, as well as the areas where they frequently fail.

Why Strategic Placement Matters More Than Product Choice

Installing the correct device in the wrong location is one of the most common and costly mistakes councils and school administrators make. A well-built speed hump will not reduce risk if it is located too far from the pedestrian hazard or is poorly visible to drivers.

Likewise, a rumble bar may have no effect if it is not placed in the driver’s natural line of travel or if it is positioned after the danger zone instead of before it.

Placement should be based on:

• Pedestrian flow, which is the paths people take and follow
• Sight lines and visibility
• Stopping distance
• Vehicle approach speed
• Conflict zones, where foot and vehicle traffic interact

Let’s break it down by standard zones, including school frontages, car parks, crossings, and park boundaries.

School Drop-Off Zones: Keep Calming Ahead of the Chaos

Most school injuries do not occur in the classroom; they happen on the playground or the curb.

Drop-off and pickup windows are the most dangerous times of day for primary and secondary schools. Parents are distracted, kids are darting out unexpectedly, and visibility is often blocked by parked cars or buses.

Best placement strategy:

• Install speed humps or rumble bars a minimum of ten to twenty metres before the pedestrian activity zone.
• Use raised pedestrian crossings near the main school gate if students are expected to cross mid-block
• Avoid placing calming measures directly at the school gate; drivers are already braking there, and students may step onto the road suddenly.
• Consider using wheel stops in pickup zones to prevent vehicles from creeping into walking areas.

Common mistake:

Placing traffic calming too close to the gate or too far from where students are most likely to enter the street.

Park Entrances and Perimeter Roads: Slow Vehicles Before They See Children

Parks are deceptive. They may appear to be passive green spaces, but most have at least one high-traffic entrance and are surrounded by access roads. These are typically near:

• Car parks
• Shared-use paths
• Cycling routes
• Community centres or play areas

Children often emerge suddenly from between parked cars, bushes, or signage, giving drivers very little time to react.

Best placement strategy:

• Use rumble bars in car parks to reinforce low speeds and create tactile feedback for drivers.
• Install speed humps at the entry and exit points of park car parks or access roads.
• Add a physical device before key crossing points to create a buffer zone.
• Pair traffic calming with visible signage and line marking to increase awareness.

Common mistake:

Assuming a “Children at Play” sign is enough. Without a physical device to match, most drivers ignore these warnings, especially if they are frequent.

Pedestrian Crossings: Do Not Rely on Paint Alone

Marked zebra crossings and painted lines might suggest safety, but they are often ignored by distracted or speeding drivers, especially in school or park zones with unpredictable behaviour.

Best placement strategy:

• Upgrade crossings near schools or parks to raised platforms
• For high-risk crossings, use speed humps five to ten metres in advance of the crossing.
• Install rumble strips on the approach to slow vehicles and alert distracted drivers.
• Use tactile paving to draw attention to visually impaired users.

Common mistake:

Relying on signs and paint alone without physical reinforcement. Crossings near playgrounds or school exits should always have physical elements.

Internal Access Roads and Car Parks: The Most Overlooked Danger Zone

Many school zones and parks have internal roads or car parks that seem safe because they are off the main road. However, this is where people often become complacent, and injuries occur.

Cars reverse with poor visibility. Kids cut across driveways. And there is often no clear separation between vehicles and pedestrians.

Best placement strategy:

• Use rumble bars at each entrance and key-turning zones inside the car park
• Mark pedestrian walkways with contrasting paint or bollards
• Install speed humps in longer car park lanes to prevent acceleration.
• Ensure all devices are visible, especially in low-light conditions.

Common mistake:

Treating internal roads as less critical. Council liability does not stop at the curb. If it is on your land, it is your risk.

Shared Zones and Multi-Use Paths: Define Boundaries Clearly

Where bikes, pedestrians, and vehicles mix, especially around skate parks, sporting fields, or community centres, things get messy fast. These areas often do not follow traditional layouts, which makes vehicle behaviour unpredictable.

Best placement strategy:

• Install rumble bars along the edges of narrow laneways to guide cars and protect the verge.
• Use wheel stops to discourage vehicle encroachment into shared zones.
• Set clear speed expectations with both signs and physical devices.
• Ensure approach paths to any multi-use crossing are properly traffic-calmed.

Common mistake:

Relying on paint or vague boundaries to define zones. In shared environments, drivers often overestimate their right-of-way.

Bonus: What Makes a Calming Device Effective?

It’s not just about location; it’s about how the device functions once it’s installed.

To maximise effectiveness:

• Ensure there is a strong visual contrast between the device and the surrounding surface.
• Match load ratings to expected traffic, including school buses and council vehicles
• Opt for modular designs to allow flexible installation and future maintenance.

At Speed Humps Australia, we only supply calming products that meet the most challenging council requirements. 

Get the Timing and Distance Right

The rule of thumb is to slow the driver before the risk. That is the difference between prevention and a near miss.

If you are managing roads near:

• A school gate
• A park entry
• A drop-off zone
• A shared community precinct

Then, traffic calming measures need to be placed where the danger begins, not where the incident has already occurred.

Every site is unique, but the key principles remain:

• Focus on visibility
• Understand behaviour
• Follow natural traffic flow.
• Act early, not late

If you would like help assessing your site or sourcing the right devices, contact us at Speed Humps Australia. We have installed solutions for councils, childcare centres, and schools across the country, and we know what works in practice.