Overland Park launches speed-cushion pilot at four collector streets under Safe Streets plan

Public works staff told the committee they will pilot rubber speed cushions at four collector streets to test whether the devices reduce speeding while allowing emergency vehicles to pass without impact. The pilot locations are 87th Street (between Antioch and Lowell), Lamar (99th–103rd), 103rd Street (between Antioch and Switzer) and Edgewater (near 146th between Metcalf and Lamar). The city plans to publish maps and related right-of-way restrictions online.

"The difference between the speed hump, which is the full width of the road, and the speed cushions... is that the cushions are configured so emergency vehicles can straddle them while typical drivers will still go over one or both humps," said Brian Geiger, the city's traffic engineer, describing the vehicle dynamics the pilot seeks to measure. Staff said they have collected baseline speed data and expect to gather follow-up data about nine months after deployment to evaluate effects on speed and volume as well as public acceptance.

The Safe Streets survey is open through April 30 and has received roughly 200 responses so far, staff said. The engagement effort also includes pop-up events in all six wards this spring and summer; staff said they may extend the comment period if outreach indicates more input is needed. The committee discussed removability and logistics; staff said the rubber cushions are bolted to asphalt and are expected to remain in place for about a year while performance is assessed.

The pilot is expressly framed as a test to determine whether speed cushions can be a viable traffic‑calming tool on collector streets without causing damage to emergency equipment or creating unacceptable public nuisance. Committee members asked staff to monitor outcomes carefully and report back with measured before/after data, community feedback and maintenance implications.