U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Rumble strips solve a systemic highway safety problem (i.e., the target crash type are present on most roadways), so installing rumble strips on all paved roads offers potential safety benefit to motorists. Agencies typically focus on installing rumble strips where they will achieve the largest benefit/cost ratio. Successful data-driven approaches typically use a combination of crash and roadway data to determine parameters that indicate where the application of center line, edge line, or shoulder rumble strips will likely reduce head-on and run-off-road crashes. While this systematic approach uses historic crash data, it does not mean that rumble strips should only be applied at locations where these crash types have occurred in the past, but that rumble strips also be installed on facility types where crash data predicts these crashes will occur in the future. There are two methods used by agencies to deploy rumble strips:
(currently being developed)
Longitudinal rumble strips and stripes on two-lane roads were one of nine proven safety countermeasures that FHWA designated in their Guidance Memorandum on Promoting the Implementation of Proven Safety Countermeasures. This January 2012 guidance memorandum contains information on several different recommended countermeasures, including longitudinal rumble strips and stripes on two-lane roads.
Several states have developed policies regarding rumble strips. The following are examples of State DOT policies:
Safety Evaluation of Centerline Plus Shoulder Rumble StripsThis June 2015 report presents the results of a pooled fund study of several states to evaluate the combined application of centerline and shoulder rumble strips. |
Evaluation of Non-Freeway Rumble Strips – Phase II, prepared for the Michigan Department of Transportation Division of ResearchThis March 2015 report presents the analysis of the "after" study conducted following the implementation of centerline rumble strips on nearly 5,400 miles of two-lane high speed roads that MDOT maintains. |
Rumble Strip Noise EvaluationThis February 2015 report presents results of sound level monitoring of three types of longitudinal rumble strips installed along the edge of two-lane rural roads in Polk County, Minnesota. The study is in response to objections raised by some landowners about the unwanted noise caused by vehicles traveling over rumble strips when they drift over the edge or centerline of the roadway. |
Centerline Audible Roadway Delineators (CARDs) Noise Analysis Report for NYS Route 77 & NYS Route 441, prepared for the New York State Department of TransportationThis 2014 report investigates the noise external to the vehicle when a tire of a vehicle passes over centerline audible roadway delineators on two-lane rural and suburban highways. |
Performance Analysis of Center Line and Shoulder Rumble Strips Installed in Combination in Washington StateThis 2013 study focused on the combined performance of shoulder and center line rumble strips in Washington State. |
Impact of Non-Freeway Rumble Strips – Phase I, prepared for the Michigan Department of Transportation Division of ResearchThis July 2012 report represents the "before" study conducted prior to the implementation of centerline rumble strips on nearly 5,400 miles of two-lane high speed roads that MDOT maintains. This study included milled centerline rumble strips on all rural non-freeway highways with a posted speed limit of 55 mph and a paved roadway width greater than 20 feet and shoulder rumble strips on roadways with paved shoulders that were at least 6 feet wide. |
Benefit/Cost Evaluation of MoDOT's Total Striping and Delineation Program: Phase IIThis 2011 report the evaluation of the Smooth Roads Initiative to improve both the rideability and the visibility of over 2,300 miles of major roadways in Missouri includes a three-year before study period and a three-year after study period of the project. |
Performance Analysis of Center Line Rumble Strips in Washington StateThis 2011 study evaluates the effectiveness of center line rumble strips under a variety of traffic and geometric conditions. The findings will result in better guidance on when to use rumble strips to address various collision types. |
NCHRP Report 641: Guidance for the Design and Application of Shoulder and Center Line Rumble StripsThis 2009 report provides information regarding the design and application of shoulder and center line rumble strips as an effective motor vehicle crash reduction measure, while minimizing adverse effects for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and nearby residents. |
Studies to Determine the Operational Effects of Shoulder and Center Line Rumble Strips on Two Lane Undivided Roadways (TTI)This 2009 report describes the methodology and results of analyses performed to (1) evaluate the impact of shoulder rumble strips and center line rumble strips on the placement of vehicles in the travel lane of two-lane, undivided roadways; and (2) determine the minimum shoulder width required for drivers to correct errant vehicle trajectories once alerted by passing over shoulder rumble strips. |
An Assessment of Various Rumble Strip Designs and Pavement Marking Applications for Crosswalks and Work ZonesThe objective of this 2005 research was to assess the effectiveness of various pavement marking materials, devices, and treatments that have potential to increase driver awareness and safety. This report includes recommendations for the application of in-roadway warning lights and rumble strips. |
NCHRP Synthesis 339: Center Line Rumble StripsThis 2002 report includes a literature review, case studies, a state-of-the-practice survey, and a key issues analysis. |
Synthesis of Shoulder Rumble Strip Practices and PoliciesThis synthesis report reviews shoulder rumble strip research and the rumble strip crash reduction record; discusses motorist and bicyclist perceptions; and presents the results of three nationwide surveys on shoulder rumble strips conducted in 2000. Policies, practices, and alternative designs are compared. The report also assesses the need for future research. |