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Comment by runeks | Hacker News Reader

From the first video:

> “Whether you respect the speed limit or not, your car will suffer from a speed bump regardless.”

Can anyone confirm this? I would assume the suspension can handle speed bumps fine at low speeds. That’s what it feels like from inside the car anyway.

Couldn’t it be argued that, as we approach a speed of 0 mph, there exists a speed at which no damage is done to the car whatsoever? And, if we place speed bumps accordingly, there is no need for this technology — particularly considering the difference in cost and maintenance?

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You still have to brake (brake pads and discs suffer for no reason), gear down (transmission suffers) and potentially move off at a low speed (clutch suffers, your wallet suffers if you go over them frequently). Even at minimal speeds (less than 20 km/h), speed bumps feel very unpleasant and I really don't like sounds my car is doing while riding over them.

Shouldn't speed bumps be designed that you move over them at the speed allowed there, e.g. 30 km/h? So theoretically there wouldn't be a slowdown, unless you're already going faster than allowed.

At least I haven't seen speed bumps in 50 km/h roads just to slow people down.

Should, probably, but it's common in Central Europe that on a 50km/h road, there are 2 speedbumps that can't be safely passed if you're going over 25km/h.

Here in germany, mostly due to tech that allows speed-bump avoidcance, most villages and citys use a sort of slalom that by virtue of physics enforces a speed limit.

Also beloved are narrowings to one lane, where you can not see until you are really close up, wethere somebody from the other side is entering the lane.

There are so many geometries (by design or error) .. but I remember that those that are more like a lifted platform with low angles are the one I like the most. I do slow down but I don't have to fear shocks. win win

Wear ant ear from normal operation are different than damage from running out of up-travel at high speed.

Not to mention going over a speed bump unevenly can put uneven loads on ball joints and other suspension components other than just the shock absorbers.

Tie rod ends, bushings, etc can all wear out from uneven suspension load.

And also more emissions are released into the atmosphere due to an interruption acceleration cycle that resembles that of a traffic jam. But then I'm not sure even if a viscous speed bump would help there. We need tech that will eliminate the need for speed bumps - of any kind - and speeding tickets.

This is worst when you're forced to shift into first gear, when you can ride over the speedbump in second or third, it's okay - and these speedbumps would allow it.

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