When councils invest in traffic calming infrastructure like speed humps, rumble bars, and wheel stops, they’re not just looking for a product, they’re buying reliability, compliance, and long term performance. There’s a reason the term “council grade” exists. Not all products are made equal, and not all are suitable for public infrastructure with strict safety, regulatory, and longevity requirements.
So, what separates a basic traffic calming product from one that’s truly council grade?
Let’s break it down.
- Load Ratings: Can It Withstand Trucks, Not Just Sedans?
A traffic calming device that collapses under its first delivery truck isn’t worth the installation time.
Council grade devices are often rated to withstand loads of 50 tonnes or more. These ratings ensure durability in car parks, loading zones, and emergency vehicle routes, areas where lightweight, consumer grade humps or bars may not hold up.
✅ At Speed Humps Australia, for example, our flat top humps and rumble bars are compression tested to handle extreme loads over time.
- Modular Construction: Easier Installs, Scalable Lengths
Many councils manage large or multi-site installations, which means flexibility matters. Modular construction allows humps and bars to be cut, extended, and installed quickly to match exact site dimensions.
Benefits include:
- Less downtime for car parks and roads
- Easier maintenance (replace one section, not the whole hump)
- Clean joins between segments to reduce trip hazards
Compare this to rigid, one size only products. They often require site alterations or workarounds that delay the project.
- Compliant Dimensions: Built to Australian Standards
Council grade traffic calming devices are designed to meet the guidelines in AS 2890.1 (parking facilities) and AS 2890.3 (wheel stops and disability access zones).
If the device is:
- Too tall, it becomes aggressive, damages vehicles, and invites complaints
- Too short, drivers ignore it or roll over it at speed
- Non compliant in shape or material, it becomes a legal and insurance liability
There’s a balance. The best council grade devices slow vehicles without becoming a nuisance.
- UV Stable and Weatherproof Materials
Council assets are exposed to the elements 24/7, through sun, storms, flooding, and temperature extremes. That’s why council grade rubber and polyethylene are UV stabilised, heat resistant, and reinforced with high performance binding agents.
💡 If the yellow fades after six months or the hump warps after its first summer, it’s not council grade, it’s junk.
- Pre Marked Fixing Points for Accurate Installation
Just as important as the product itself is the quality of the install. Council grade products come pre moulded with fixing points designed for:
- Concrete or asphalt installs
- Standard bolt sizes (usually M12 or larger)
- Accurate spacing to minimise movement
When the fixings fail, the product fails. Council grade systems are designed for long term anchoring, not just a temporary fit.
- Local Supply Chain and Availability
Procurement delays blow out budgets and timelines. Council grade suppliers keep stock on hand and offer nationwide shipping, even during peak periods.
🟡 Speed Humps Australia offers a full range of compliant traffic calming products, shipped from depots nationwide, with installation ready fixings included.
Council Grade Means Built for Real World Conditions
If you’re managing traffic infrastructure for local government or a commercial site that requires council compliance, don’t get caught out by low cost, low spec options. Council grade traffic calming products are:
- Compliant with AS2890 standards
- Rated for high loads and wet surfaces
- Modular and scalable
- Built for longevity
- Backed by real warranties
🛑 Want a closer look?
Check out our Speed Humps and Rumble Strips — trusted by councils, shopping centres, and facility managers across Australia.
👉 Visit Speed Humps Australia to explore compliant traffic safety solutions.
