Sump buster

A sump buster (also known as a sump breaker) is a device used in urban areas to restrict traffic access on various routes. Similar (in use but not design) to rising bollards, sump busters are often used in bus lanes to prohibit their use by cars [http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/12315_panic_behind_bugs_gate_closure GetReading: "'Panic' behind bugs gate closure"] .

Function

The sump buster uses a non-mechanical solid mass of concrete (sometimes other aggregates or metal) to demobilise a vehicle when access to a restricted area is attempted. When (for instance) a car attempts to transverse the sump buster, the device will demolish the vehicle's oil pan (literally "busting the sump"). The track (distance between wheels on either side of the vehicle) and ground clearance on permitted vehicles (usually, but not restricted to buses) is such that they may clear the device with ease. In some cases, advisory or mandatory speed limits are given.

Impact on the community

A major purpose of the sump buster is to avoid road systems to be used as rat runs and, to a certain extent, joyriding. For this reason, devices have been vandalised (either through annoyance at their existence or to attempt to gain passage), resulting in accidents (and injuries) to legitimate road users [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/4340951.stm BBC News: "Ten hurt after road hump damaged"] .

In January 2005, Devon County Council dismissed an application by the Stagecoach Group for the installation of a sump buster on Tan Lane (a restricted access road) in Exeter. The "Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee" stated that "... [using a sump buster] is not an option that the County Council could support [as] it would not differentiate between high clearance vehicles and for example cars and vans that are authorised to use the link under the current Traffic Regulation Order..." [http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/democracycommunities/decision_making/cma/cma_report.htm?cmadoc=report_ed0529hq.html Devon County Council: Committee Report] .

Locations of devices

Australasia

Australia

*Adelaide, South Australia
**The O-Bahn Busway

Europe

United Kingdom

*Calcot, Berkshire
**Pollards Way/The Chase
**Carters Rise/Underwood Road
*Ipswich, Suffolk
**Kesgrave guided busway

References