4 key considerations for installing speed ramps near shop entrances

Speed ramps are hugely important safety solutions in any environment, but particularly so near busy shop entrances. They’re perfect for helping you to control car speeds, protect pedestrians, and create a safer environment for customers and staff. Like any safety solution though, they need careful planning for maximum effectiveness. This planning can help you ensure that your own speed ramps fit well within the overall layout of your site, improve safety without affecting accessibility, and work effectively alongside any other security measures that you have in place.

So, if you need a couple of tips on how to get started with that, here are the top considerations we’d suggest bearing in mind!

Assessing traffic flow near entrances

First off, you’ll need to assess how cars currently move around your shop entrance before installing speed ramps. This includes observing peak times for customer traffic, delivery schedules, and how cars, vans, or lorries use the space. Ideally, it helps to monitor these patterns over several days, as it can give you a clearer picture of where cars tend to speed up, slow down, or queue. This helps you position speed ramps where they’ll have the most impact in reducing risk, without causing congestion or obstructing vital access points.

It’s also important to consider the types of cars using the entrance. A shop located on a busy high street will often experience very different traffic compared to one in a retail park or industrial area. Larger cars like delivery trucks will need a design that accommodates their size and load. You can work with specialists to map out exactly how these cars enter and exit, ensuring ramps are placed in positions that maximise their safety value, while still preserving smooth vehicle movement. It often helps to include clear signage that alerts drivers in advance of the ramps, as this helps to create a safer and more organised flow of traffic around the area.

Identifying the right speed ramp dimensions

This is one that’s sometimes easy to overlook – you’ll need to carefully choose the dimensions of your speed ramps to suit your site. The height, width, and slope of a ramp determine how effectively it slows cars, and this needs to match the type of traffic approaching your shop. Taller ramps can significantly slow incoming vehicles, but they may not be suitable for areas that require regular access for delivery vans or emergency services. Shorter, more gradual ramps can strike a useful balance between slowing cars and maintaining a workable flow for heavier traffic. If you need any help with this, feel free to ask one of our team at Bollard Security – consulting with an expert can give you peace of mind that the chosen design meets safety standards, while still being a practical solution for your location.

Another key consideration is the width of your ramps. Wider ramps cover more of the entrance, making them effective in preventing cars from bypassing them, while narrower ramps may work for locations with defined lanes or tighter approaches. You can also incorporate features like reflective strips or embedded signage to make the ramps more visible, especially in low-light conditions. These details help drivers adjust their speed well in advance, reducing the risk of sudden braking or potentially even collisions.

Ensuring accessibility for all users

Your installation plans will need to account for everyone who uses the entrance, including customers with mobility requirements, parents with prams, and cyclists. Ramps that are too steep or positioned too close to pedestrian crossings can create obstacles for people who require extra support when entering or leaving the premises. So, ideally try and make sure that that your ramps are installed with gradual inclines, and positioned in ways that don’t interfere with walkways, so that you can be sure they’re maintaining accessibility. This approach creates an environment that supports every visitor – and as a bonus it minimises potential hazards too.

It’s also worth considering how the ramps affect emergency access. Ambulances or fire services may need to get close to the shop quickly, and poorly positioned ramps could slow their progress. Instead, clearly marked pathways or designated access points can help emergency services to operate effectively, while still ensuring day-to-day safety for customers and staff. You may also want to think about adding tactile paving near pedestrian areas and clear visual markers, which can further enhance accessibility by improving the experience for people with visual impairments.

Coordinating installation with other security features

Finally, it’s also worth looking at how speed ramps will integrate with other security measures around your shop. Many businesses already use bollards, barriers, or CCTV near entrances, and your new ramps will need to complement these features rather than conflict with them. For instance, placing a ramp too close to a row of bollards could create unnecessary hazards or complicate car movement. A coordinated layout ensures every element works together to improve security and safety. Make sure you’ve got the time to review the site plan in full, so you can be sure you’ll be avoiding potential clashes and making the most of the available space.

Don’t forget to review the long-term maintenance needs of your ramps alongside your other security equipment. Materials like rubber or concrete have different durability levels, and this affects how often you’ll need repairs or replacements. You can also plan maintenance at the same time as your other safety checks to make it easier to keep everything in working order.

Those are all the key points in a nutshell! And if you have any questions about the best use of speed ramps or similar solutions, don’t hesitate to ask us. For over 15 years here at Bollard Security, we’ve been installing and maintaining security solutions across the UK for domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors, and we take pride in providing quality products that give our customers peace of mind. Don’t hesitate to contact us on 01535 509001 for advice and recommendations on the best barriers and speed ramps for your site – we’re always happy to help!