diff --git a/cvtModel/setup.py b/cvtModel/setup.py
index 5d4c8809..73d06f05 100644
--- a/cvtModel/setup.py
+++ b/cvtModel/setup.py
@@ -10,12 +10,15 @@
       "scipy",
       "matplotlib",
       "pandas",
-      "pydantic"
+      "pydantic",
+      "numba"
     ],
-    extras_require={"dev": [
-      "black",
-      "flake8",
-      "pytest",
-      "coverage"
-    ]},
+    extras_require={
+      "dev": [
+        "black",
+        "flake8",
+        "pytest",
+        "coverage"
+      ],
+    },
 )
diff --git a/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/models/slip_model.py b/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/models/slip_model.py
index 45062271..b7d5bcfb 100644
--- a/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/models/slip_model.py
+++ b/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/models/slip_model.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 from cvt_simulator.constants.constants import (
     RUBBER_ALUMINUM_STATIC_FRICTION,
 )
+from cvt_simulator.utils.numba_utils import maybe_njit
 
 
 class SlipModel:
@@ -152,8 +153,9 @@ def calculate_t_max(self, state: SystemState) -> tuple[float, float]:
         secondary_t_max = max(0, secondary_t_max)
         return primary_t_max, secondary_t_max
 
+    @staticmethod
+    @maybe_njit(cache=True, fastmath=True)
     def _relative_speed(
-        self,
         primary_angular_velocity: float,
         secondary_angular_velocity: float,
         cvt_ratio: float,
diff --git a/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/utils/numba_utils.py b/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/utils/numba_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6da40a38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cvtModel/src/cvt_simulator/utils/numba_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+try:
+    from numba import njit
+
+    NUMBA_ENABLED = True
+
+    def maybe_njit(*args, **kwargs):
+        return njit(*args, **kwargs)
+
+except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover - exercised when numba is installed
+    NUMBA_ENABLED = False
+
+    def maybe_njit(*args, **kwargs):
+        def decorator(func):
+            return func
+
+        return decorator