Product Description and Principal Function

Student Designer
Mr Bryce Killen

University
Newcastle University


Product Description and Principal Function(s)
This product is a Dynamic Speedbump that harnesses the use of emerging technologies, such as Thixotopic non-Newtonial fluids, to offer a product that allows drivers who are travelling the speed limit to pass over the bump without hindrance or typical speedbump abruptions, and transversely "remind" drivers travelling above the designated speed limit that they are travelling too fast with the typical experience felt when passing over the speedbump.

Internal cells house the non-Newtonian Thixotropic fluids which instantly react with the speed at which the driver creates contact with the speed bump.
Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award?

This product represents excellence in design, usability, function and serves as a benefit to the greater community as an innovation such as this hasn’t been thoroughly experimented or developed upon before. The originality of the design is unique as this product is still a form of enforcement, but instead of providing a negative service which – so to say - may leave a bad taste in people mouth (such as a speeding ticket for exceeding the speed limit), this product offers a reward to those travelling the speed limit by proving a smooth and quite unnoticeable pass.

The aesthetics are intentionally relatively standard - not only for ease of manufacture and product assembly/installation but also because this product will be placed in situations where people don’t have the time to observe and analyse the products appearance.

People want to feel comfortable when driving, so when approaching something that spans the width of the road it's hoped that people treat it like a normal speedbump rather than coming to a complete stop for observation and making sure that its OK to pass over.

The products main purpose and intent is its functionality. This product is designed to be used countless times in the harshest environments and perform accordingly for the duration of its product life.

The majority of components used are to be formed using recycled rubber. Its final finish is to be relatively textured (as you would typically expect a speedbump to be) and suited for its environment - whether placed in a busy area or on a private premises.

The product is intended to be used and placed as any other speedbump is to be used and placed in the same fashion.

There is quite a justified need for this product - not only for public comfort and use but also for various industrial use - such as transport/freight companies - It’s an obvious feeling that when traveling over a speedbump at any speed you will feel its physical impact, this impact can dislodge items within a trailer/cabin at undesirable times. Furthermore this product is perfectly suited for hospitals, aged care areas, school zones, storage facilities and basically anywhere that may have vehicles entering/exiting with precious/fragile objects or people onboard that wish for the smoothest ride possible when driving.

This product is obviously going against either a slab of shaped bitumen or a bolt down form of plastic - so it's obvious that for this product to succeed its product life is to be quite long. that’s why all materials specified and additions (such as double layer bladder protection etc) are designed and developed in such a way so that the Bumpfree can compete on a warranted platform at all levels.

Physical scaled tests have been performed and data recorded on a range of different body constructions, internal fluids and approach speeds, offering highly promising results.