Comparison of Football Shaped Rumble Strips Versus Rectangular Rumble Strips

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Comparison of Football Shaped Rumble Strips Versus Rectangular Rumble Strips

L. W. Gardner / M. J. Rys / E. Russell

Shoulder and centerline rumble strips have become a predominantly used safety measure along American highways in almost all states and in Canadian provinces. Milled shoulder rumble strips are indentations along the shoulder of a highway to warn drivers who may start drifting off the road through an audible and tactile alert. Centerline rumble strips are similar, but are placed between lanes, usually two lane, two way highways, to warn drivers who may start drifting into oncoming traffic. Researchers at Kansas State University (KSU) have conducted research on a new design for highway rumble strips. A new football shaped rumble strip was created by an independent firm in Kansas. Test strips were installed along a Kansas highway, and the KSU Rumble Strip Research Team conducted several tests to evaluate the new football shaped rumble strip versus the rectangular rumble strip. The comparison consisted of water and debris collection, interior sound and vibration production, the opinions of bicyclists, and the opinions of residents in areas where rumble strips are installed. Based on the literature review, the limited tests performed (Water and Debris Removal, Noise, and Vibration), the surveys conducted (Bicyclists on K-96 and residents along US 40), and similarity in cost of the football shaped rumble strips to the rectangular rumble strips, it can be concluded that no significant difference was found between the two types. The KSU Rumble Strip Research Team concludes that the football shaped rumble strips can be considered an effective alternative to the rectangular rumble strips.