Miya Pearson
Sleeping policemen is a colloquial term for speed bumps or speed humps, which are raised areas built across roads to reduce traffic speed. The term was coined by physicist Arthur Holly Compton in 1953 when he designed the first speed ramp outside his university, though earlier speed bumps had been installed as early as 1906. Sleeping policemen are considered by some to be ineffective in slowing traffic and are criticised for increasing noise pollution, causing vehicle damage, and delaying emergency vehicles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Term Origin | The term "sleeping policeman" was coined by physicist Arthur Holly Compton in 1953 when he designed the first speed ramp to slow down traffic outside his university. |
| Definition | A colloquial term for a speed bump or speed hump, designed to slow down traffic or reduce traffic flow. |
| Synonyms | Speed bump, speed hump, road hump, speed breakers, speed ramp, speed cushion, speed table, traffic calming device, judder bar (New Zealand), lying-down policeman (Croatia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Russia) |
| Criticisms | Critics claim that sleeping policemen increase noise pollution, cause vehicle damage, and delay emergency vehicles, potentially costing lives. |
| Alternative Uses | Sleeping policemen can be made with a small cut across the bump to allow motorcycles and bicycles to traverse without impediment. |
| Testing and Implementation | Temporary bolt-down installations can be used to test the use and positioning of speed bumps before wider implementation. |
| Maintenance | In areas with snow, speed bumps may be removed during winter to prevent damage by snowplows. |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping Policemen is a colloquial term for speed bumps
- The term was created by a physicist named Arthur Holly Compton
- Sleeping Policemen are used as a traffic-calming device
- They are also known as speed humps, road humps, and speed breakers
- They are criticised for increasing noise pollution and causing vehicle damage
Sleeping Policemen is a colloquial term for speed bumps
The phrase “sleeping policeman” refers to speed bumps or speed humps. It is a colloquial term, inspired by the fact that hitting one of these obstructions can cause people in a vehicle to nod their heads involuntarily. The term was coined by physicist Arthur Holly Compton in 1953 when he designed the first speed ramp to slow down traffic outside his university. These early speed bumps were similar to those used today.
Sleeping policemen are typically small raised areas built across a road, designed to force drivers to slow down. They are usually between 8 and 10 centimetres high, with a traverse distance of less than 0.3 metres. They are often made from asphalt, concrete, recycled plastic, metal, or vulcanized rubber.
While speed bumps are effective at slowing traffic, they have also been criticized for increasing noise and air pollution, causing vehicle damage, and delaying emergency vehicles. Some people have also argued that they can cause spinal damage and aggravate chronic back pain. As a result, some cities have replaced sleeping policemen with speed humps or other traffic-calming devices, such as cameras.
The term "sleeping policeman" is used in British English, Maltese English, and Caribbean English. In other parts of the world, speed bumps are known by different names, such as "judder bars" in New Zealand, "lying-down policeman" in Croatia and several other countries, and "tumulos" in El Salvador.
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The term was created by a physicist named Arthur Holly Compton
The term "sleeping policeman" refers to speed bumps on roads. It was once a common name for these traffic-calming measures in Britain. However, the term has fallen out of common usage over time, with some younger individuals being unaware that speed bumps were ever referred to as "sleeping policemen".
The term "sleeping policeman" has no connection to Arthur Holly Compton, an American particle physicist. Compton was born on September 10, 1892, in Wooster, Ohio, and passed away on March 15, 1962 in Berkeley, California. He was an esteemed physicist who made groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to the field of physics.
Compton is best known for his discovery of the Compton effect, which demonstrated the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation. This discovery was considered sensational at the time because, while the wave nature of light was well-established, the idea that light could exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties was not easily accepted. Compton's work provided clear evidence for this dual nature of electromagnetic radiation.
In recognition of his achievements, Compton received numerous awards during his lifetime, including the 1927 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the Compton effect. He also played a significant role in various scientific endeavours, such as leading the Metallurgical Laboratory at the University of Chicago during the Manhattan Project and serving as chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis from 1945 to 1953.
While the term "sleeping policeman" has no direct association with Arthur Holly Compton, it is worth noting that Compton invented a unique type of speed bump called the "Holly hump". These "Holly humps" can be found on the roads of the Washington University campus, where Compton once served as chancellor. These speed bumps are designed to be more gentle, elongated, and ramped compared to traditional speed bumps.
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Sleeping Policemen are used as a traffic-calming device
While the exact origin of speed bumps is unclear, early implementations of speed-reducing road measures were reported as early as 1906 in Chatham, New Jersey, where crosswalks were raised several inches above the road level. These early speed bumps were also referred to as "thank-you-ma'am" in American slang, a term for a regular bump or pothole in the road. Over time, the term "sleeping policeman" gained popularity, especially in Britain, Malta, the Caribbean, and certain European and South American countries.
Sleeping Policemen are designed to force vehicles to slow down due to their raised structure. They are typically made from materials such as asphalt, concrete, recycled plastic, metal, or vulcanized rubber. The effectiveness of sleeping policemen in controlling speed has led to their widespread adoption. However, they have also faced criticism for increasing noise pollution, causing vehicle damage, and delaying emergency vehicles, which some argue can cost lives.
Despite the criticisms, sleeping policemen remain a common traffic-calming measure. They are often considered alongside other speed reduction methods such as speed cameras, flashing signs, and traffic signs. While some have suggested replacing sleeping policemen with alternative measures, they continue to be a prominent feature on roads, particularly in residential areas and locations where other methods may be impractical or less effective.
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They are also known as speed humps, road humps, and speed breakers
Sleeping Policemen, also known as speed humps, road humps, and speed breakers, are raised bands installed across roads to reduce vehicle speed. Colloquially, the term “sleeping policeman” is used to describe speed bumps in British English, Maltese English, and Caribbean English. The term was coined by physicist Arthur Holly Compton in 1953 when he designed the first speed bump outside a university.
Speed humps are lighter devices designed to slow vehicles without bringing them to a complete stop, while speed ramps are wider and intended to reduce speeds more gradually. Speed cushions, a variation of speed humps, are installed with spaces between them, allowing larger vehicles like fire engines to straddle the cushions without reducing speed.
While speed bumps are effective in controlling traffic speed, they have faced criticism for increasing noise pollution, causing vehicle damage, and delaying emergency vehicles. The city of Modesto, California, cited possible increases in noise and pollution for nearby residents as disadvantages of speed bumps. Additionally, Sigurd Reinton, the chairman of the London Ambulance Service, claimed that delays caused by speed bumps contributed to up to 500 avoidable deaths from cardiac arrest annually.
Despite these concerns, speed bumps remain a prevalent traffic-calming device, enhancing road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.
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They are criticised for increasing noise pollution and causing vehicle damage
The colloquial term "sleeping policeman" refers to speed bumps or speed humps, which are raised areas built across roads to reduce traffic speed. While these devices enhance road safety, they have faced criticism for increasing noise pollution, causing vehicle damage, and hindering emergency vehicles.
The term "sleeping policeman" was coined by physicist Arthur Holly Compton in 1953 when he designed the first speed ramp outside his university to curb speeding motorists. Over time, the phrase has been used interchangeably with "speed bump" in British English, Maltese English, and Caribbean English, among other variants in different languages.
Despite their effectiveness in slowing traffic, sleeping policemen have faced scrutiny for the negative side effects they can produce. One of the primary criticisms is the increase in noise pollution for residents living near these installations. The impact of vehicles traversing speed bumps can create additional noise, impacting the quality of life for nearby residents.
Another concern is the potential for vehicle damage. The abrupt change in road elevation can be jarring for vehicles, particularly low-riding sports cars, and can result in damage to suspensions, tires, and other components. This criticism highlights the need for careful design and implementation to balance speed reduction and vehicle safety.
Furthermore, sleeping policemen have been criticized for delaying emergency vehicles, which can have life-threatening consequences. The speed bumps may hinder the timely arrival of ambulances, fire engines, and other emergency response vehicles. This criticism has led to the development of alternative designs, such as speed cushions, which allow larger vehicles with wider axles to straddle the obstacles without slowing down.
While the term "sleeping policeman" evokes a whimsical image, the criticisms highlight the complex trade-offs that must be considered in traffic management. Finding the right balance between effective speed reduction and minimizing negative impacts remains a challenge for local authorities.
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeping policeman is a colloquial term for a speed bump or hump.
The term was coined by physicist Arthur Holly Compton when he designed the first speed ramp outside his university in 1953. The name was inspired by the fact that hitting these obstructions causes people in a vehicle to nod their heads involuntarily.
Sleeping policemen are found on roads, particularly in Britain, where they are used as traffic-calming devices to make roads safer.
While sleeping policemen are meant to slow down traffic, some people have found that they don't always work, with motorists not slowing down for them. They have also been criticised for increasing noise pollution, causing vehicle damage, and delaying the arrival of emergency vehicles.
