On Wednesday, September 28, LADOT leadership joined the Office of Councilwoman Heather Hutt to announce the launch of the expanded Speed Hump Application program. Angeles residents will be able to apply for speed humps through the LADOT website beginning October 6, 2022 at 9 AM. The announcement of applications represents the first time the department will consider new applications since prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.
"I’m proud to celebrate the relaunch of the Speed Hump Application Program. Our residents moved into neighborhoods with quiet streets with reasonable traffic, not thoroughfares used as speedways. As we move towards building a better Los Angeles and a safer 10th District, it’s our responsibility to reimagine, redefine and reinvest in the future of our streets,” said Councilwoman Heather Hutt. "I am committed to tackling these issues to provide us with an opportunity to lay a foundation for growth, make an impact on the way people travel and bridge and strengthen our community for a brighter future.”
The Neighborhood speed hump program is one of LADOT’s most popular programs with each application cycle regularly reaching capacity soon after each application portal opens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, LADOT temporarily halted the program as resources were directed to emergency response and recovery efforts. Staff shortages also required the department to delay construction of previously approved speed hump locations. The City’s FY 22/23 budget restored funding for speed humps at a level that allowed the department to clear the existing backlog while renewing the program to accept new applications.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of Angelenos, and we need every tool at our disposal to slow drivers down and prevent tragic collisions,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Every decision we make about our streets should be with the well-being of our residents first in our minds, and resuming this critical program will help keep our children and families safe while making our roads more accessible for everyone.”
"When we control speeds in our communities we not only save lives, but we also improve the quality of life of our neighborhoods," said LADOT Interim General Manager Connie Llanos. "By relaunching our speed hump program after a pandemic induced hiatus, bigger than before, we will be able to bring speeds down in hundreds of residential streets across our City, and support safer and more comfortable neighborhoods for all Angelenos to enjoy."
Speed humps are traffic calming devices used to prevent speeding in residential areas. Due to their popularity, LADOT must prioritize applications based on limited resources. Residents must first apply for the program to have their street considered for speed humps. A process of community engagement and technical review follows the initial application to determine if a street is eligible for speed humps.
LADOT has installed 805 speed humps over 3 years between 2017 and 2020. The cost of each installation varies based upon a variety of factors such as the width of the street, number of humps along an individual block. Once applications are received, LADOT ensures resources.