Reykjanesbær unveils Iceland’s first precast speed bump

Reykjanesbær has installed Iceland’s first precast speed bump, produced by innovation company Íslandshús, mbl.is reported. Mayor Vilhjálmur Árnason marked the occasion by cutting a ribbon on Nónvarða street.

The installation is the result of three years of development work that began in January 2023. The project received the Innovation of the Year award at the Verk og vit 2026 exhibition this spring.

Reykjanesbær is the first municipality in Iceland to use the new solution, according to a company announcement.

Íslandshús, based at Ásbrú in Reykjanesbær, designs and manufactures precast concrete components. The company was founded in 2012 by Óskar Húnfjörð and Brynja Sif Ingibersdóttir, with a focus on product development and innovation.

The speed bump was designed using guidelines from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and follows the principle of safety without discomfort. It is 10 centimetres high, while the length of its hump varies according to the speed limit on each street. This is intended to provide the same comfortable driving experience on roads with either 30 or 50 kilometre-per-hour limits.

The standardised shape is designed to ensure predictable passage, which is particularly important for emergency vehicles, buses and other large vehicles. Drivers can choose an appropriate speed while prioritising safety and passenger comfort.

The design also addresses the formation of puddles on either side of conventional speed bumps, caused by wear in the asphalt. The solution includes 50-centimetre-wide entry surfaces on both sides of the bump. Its road markings are made from white high-quality concrete mixed with glass granules, which reflect car headlights and do not need repainting.