Rumble Strips
Rumble strips take a number of different forms, and can be produced by cutting grooves within the pavement surface, or by adding plastic bumps (or ribs) to the road.
Transverse rumble strips (also referred to as bar markings) are placed across the traffic lane to alert motorists to hazards ahead (such as bends, intersections or areas of pedestrian activity). They are most effective where drivers have been travelling at sustained high speed for long periods.
Longitudinal rumble strips (also referred to as raised profile edge lines or audible edge lines) can be used to delineate the edge of a road where driver fatigue is known to cause crashes. As well as providing visual delineation, longitudinal rumble strips can also be heard and felt by drivers and riders. When a tyre runs over the rumble strips a noise and vibration is produced. This tells a sleepy or distracted driver that their vehicle is starting to leave the road.
Longitudinal rumble strips can also be used in the centre of the road. When combined with painted centrelines, rumble strips help prevent head-on crashes and run-off-road crashes resulting from vehicles crossing into the opposing lane.
Longitudinal rumble strips have the important benefit of remaining visible even when the road surface is wet and standard painted edge lines are difficult to see.
- Reduced run-off-road and head-on crashes.
- Improved visibility of edge lines or centre lines during wet weather.
- Potential for reduced maintenance of road shoulder.
- Advanced warning to hazards.
- Where used on high-speed roads, transverse bar markings have been shown to reduce speeds on approaches to intersections such as roundabouts.
- Longitudinal rumble strips may be a hazard to cyclists and motorcyclists.
- Gaps in the rumble strips may be needed in some areas to allow water to drain from the road surface.
- The noise made by rumble strips can de difficult for drivers of larger vehicles to hear.
- Rumble strips should not be used near housing because of the noise they make.
- There must be at least 150 mm of sealed road outside longitudinal rumble strips or the road may be weakened.
Benefits
- Reduced run-off-road and head-on crashes.
- Improved visibility of edge lines or centre lines during wet weather.
- Potential for reduced maintenance of road shoulder.
- Advanced warning to hazards.
- Where used on high-speed roads, transverse bar markings have been shown to reduce speeds on approaches to intersections such as roundabouts.
Implementation issues
- Longitudinal rumble strips may be a hazard to cyclists and motorcyclists.
- Gaps in the rumble strips may be needed in some areas to allow water to drain from the road surface.
- The noise made by rumble strips can de difficult for drivers of larger vehicles to hear.
- Rumble strips should not be used near housing because of the noise they make.
- There must be at least 150 mm of sealed road outside longitudinal rumble strips or the road may be weakened.
Did you know?
Median barriers physically separate opposing traffic streams and help prevent head on crashes.
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