Speed bumps, speed humps and speed tables: What's the difference? Photo: DriveSmartBCWhen residents become concerned about speeding in their neighbourhood, one suggestion almost always comes up: "Why doesn't the city install speed bumps?" In traffic engineering, however, speed bumps, speed humps and speed tables are different devices designed for different situations. When most people refer to speed bumps on neighbourhood streets, they are actually thinking of speed humps. The bottom lineSpeed bumps, speed humps and speed tables are all effective traffic calming devices when used in the right location.