These are the Coolest Speed Bumps and Speed Humps on the Road

We’re all familiar with speed bumps–they’re literally scattered everywhere here. Designed to slow down cars in high-pedestrian roads, it seems  technology has kept up with these pesky logs after all. Generally, a typical speed bump is made from concrete–asphalt, cement, and the like. But now, they’re made from non-Newtonian fluid–and deceptive art. Yes, art–like the “painting kind” of art.

Here are two innovations that make these speed bumps way cooler than before:

Liquid Speed Bump: The Intelligent Speed Bump by Badennova

Who says speed bumps have to be made from liquid? Spanish company Bedenova S.L. defied  the stereotype by creating the world’s first liquid speed bump. It works through force and pressure. The “special liquid”, which is wrapped in ultra-tough plastic, remains this way when a car is driven at moderate speeds. However, when driven a vehicle is driven at high speeds, then the impact it makes to the liquid will cause it to harden. So yes, Vin Diesel will probably get the shock of his life when he suddenly drives over a “bump” during a high-speed chase. According to Badennova, the non-Newtonian fluid is biodegradable and safe. It’s also easy to install, since it only has to be bolted on the road. It does, however, has its limits. They can only be used for covered areas like parking garages and sheds for now. In time, the company plans to venture into open roads, and target overspeeding vehicles. So yes, Vince is safe for now. 

Deceptive Painting: “Optical Illusion” Speed Bump Art

Another ingenious (and clever) innovation is the optical illusion speed bump. It’s already implemented in Britain, and so far, things are going smoothly. The optical illusion hump really looks like the real deal when viewed from afar. So drivers slow down in anticipation of driving over it–until they realize it’s flat. Two things happen here: First, they get slightly surprised (and perhaps a bit irritated) that they’ve been duped by a simple painting. Second, traffic remains slow, since there’s a chain reaction that happens here: once a vehicle slows down, then the rest follows. It’s tricky–but effective. And it saves a lot on road construction costs, so everyone’s happy.