Rumble Strips: Fact or Fiction [Brief]

Details

• Corporate Creators:
  Asphalt Materials, Inc ; Behnke Materials Engineering, LLC ; Heritage Research Group
• Corporate Contributors:
  National Road Research Alliance
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Center Lines Durability Highway Safety Preservation Rumble Strips Two Lane Highways
• DOI:
  https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14153/mndot.17872
• Resource Type:
  Brief
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  National Road Research Alliance
• Abstract:
  Centerline rumble strips (CLRS) significantly reduce severe head-on crashes on two lane roads, although installing CLRS in asphalt pavements may accelerate deterioration of the pavement at the longitudinal construction joint. Recent research has suggested chip sealing new rumble strips as a preventive measure; however, chip sealing immediately following installation may not be practical or desirable. Other materials that have a demonstrable impact on centerline joint durability without sacrificing functionality of the rumble strip have been described. This project evaluated the effect of milling CLRS on new asphalt pavements and the efficacy of material treatment methods for improving CLRS durability while maintaining functionality on three full-scale field projects in Wisconsin. Two materials-based treatments, and the combination of the two, were evaluated with and without CLRS. The material treatments evaluated were Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) and Rapid Penetrating Asphalt Emulsion (RPE). Results highlight the importance of constructing a high-quality longitudinal joint to ensure durability as cracking behavior of field cores was primarily controlled by the presence of the joint. Milling CLRS can, however, influence joint performance properties. The use of VRAM or VRAM+RPE effectively reduced water permeability and delayed crack propagation and are therefore recommended to increase reliability when used in conjunction with CLRS. Functionality testing that measured exterior and interior noise and vibration revealed that these treatments did not reduce the ability of the rumble strips to warn vehicles of lane departure and may reduce the exterior noise levels experienced in neighboring areas.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  1056175
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:aa1bb7853f4590e6e0d4e6a16ca2eaea9737009fc380a014339bbc603c4faeaa01b80804fd861072bce7f5043cb125ce2f74fa5e5a6ca9bd9c48e1fbc9082cf3
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88331/dot_88331_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.23 MB ]