Here in the U.S., speed bumps keep reckless drivers in check, but they’re a nuisance for everyone else. Interestingly, Sweden came up with an interesting solution: the Actibump. This “trap door” technology only affects drivers who need the reminder to slow down, leaving careful drivers unbothered. According to the manufacturer, Swedish traffic systems company Edeva AB group, the device reduces speeding by up to 80%.

Here’s how the Actibump works

Actibumps are high-tech, sensor-driven speed bumps. Instead of a permanent hump in the road, they’re flat panels installed in the pavement. As a car approaches, sensors measure its speed. If the driver is going too fast, the panels drop a few inches, creating a physical bump. Drivers going the speed limit, on the other hand, cruise over the feature without incident.

These smart bumps are already popular in Sweden since their debut more than a decade ago. They’ve popped up in dozens of places near schools, hospitals, and pedestrian-heavy zones. After being installed around select locations in the Nordics and Australia, the company made the speed deterrent system available worldwide.

Actibump improves safety without punishing responsible drivers.

Regular speed bumps can cause wear and tear on vehicles, especially when drivers don’t slow down enough. What’s more, emergency vehicles also lose valuable time navigating over traditional bumps. Actibumps do seem to solve these problems.

They stay flat for ambulances, fire trucks, and other priority vehicles, even when they’re speeding.

The technology behind Actibumps isn’t just used for speed control. Their sensors also collect data on traffic flow, speed patterns, and road usage. Cities can use this information to make smarter decisions about traffic management.

Should the U.S. install Actibumps? 

Like a lot of Sweden’s infrastructure, Actibumps seem pretty “futuristic” for American roads. It would take a massive effort to convert static pavement logs to high-tech, sensor-driven trap doors. Would you welcome these smart speed bumps on your streets? They might just make the daily drive a little smoother…and perhaps safer. In any case, we’re probably years away from anything like it becoming a common part of our commutes.