Evaluation of the effectiveness of centerline rumble stripes on rural roads.

Details

• Creators:
  Wendy M. Ellis
• Corporate Creators:
  Vermont. Agency of Transportation. Materials and Research Section
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Center lines
  • Rumble strips
  • Rural highways
  • Highway safety
  • Sound level
  • Durability
  • Performance
  • Evaluation
  • Accident data
• Publication/ Report Number:
  2015-07
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  Vermont
• Corporate Publisher:
  Vermont. Agency of Transportation. Research and Development Section
• Abstract:
  This report documents the site characteristics, constructability, summary of audibility testing, and maintenance response of centerline rumble ; stripes at two locations: US Route 4 in Mendon-Killington and VT Route 105 in Sheldon. ; The primary objective of this research initiative was to evaluate the effectiveness of centerline rumble stripes in reducing lane departure ; crashes and improving the safety of undivided roadways. Ease of installation was documented along with the design of the rumble stripes in ; conjunction with the adjacent pavement markings. In addition, the long-term performance of rumble stripes is assessed. Criteria included ; overall durability and wear resistance in new or aged pavement. Differing snowfall environments as well as winter maintenance practices ; were identified as contributing factors. ; Results at the Mendon-Killington location are promising, showing a reduction of crossover crashes and associated injuries. Crossover crashes ; decreased from an annual average of 12.86 to 7.2, a 44 percent reduction. Injuries decreased from an average of 7.8 to 4, a 48.6 percent ; decrease. Sheldon saw a slight decrease in the annual average of crossover crashes of 2.63 to 2.25. Due to the small pool of data for ; evaluation at the site, the data is not statistically significant. ; Sound level readings were recorded in the A-weighted decibel scale using a Pass-by evaluation method detailed in this report. All values were ; under OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) of 90 dBA. The noise levels did not decrease as the rumbles wore down. Readings in ; Mendon-Killington were approximately 10 dB higher than in Sheldon, possibly due to pavement age and CLRS dimensions. As expected the ; tandem dump truck produced the largest readings, averaging 89.7 dBA in Mendon-Killington, followed by the pick-up at 84.3 dBA and the ; passenger car at 81.0 dBA. The same vehicle types in Sheldon produced readings of 80 dBA, 77.5 dBA, and 73 dBA respectively. ; The maintenance districts response is positive. Although it is reported that it does take more effort to clear snow from the CLRS, it does help ; keep drivers off the centerline and in their own lane. District contacts noted that no complaints have been received from area residents ; regarding noise and although both locations have worn-in, areas still provide the awareness that motorists need if they hit the centerline. No ; repairs have been required at either location.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  RAC SPR-714
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/28659/dot_28659_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 971.09 KB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:72a99cb4b382db6e1220553f7bd68da310fa8a7fd89261c87b8eb1e0e658c46a