Recently, several states and Canadian provinces have begun experimenting with centreline rumble strips. Modelled after shoulder rumble strips, centreline rumble strips are placed in the centre of the roadway between opposing lanes of traffic to alert drivers that they have crossed over into the path of oncoming traffic. At the current time there does not appear to be a standard for the patterns and dimensions of the centreline rumble strips being installed. Therefore, this research attempts to determine the optimal pattern and dimensions for installation on Kansas highways based on decibel levels and steering wheel vibration generated by travelling over the rumble strips. Twelve patterns were generated based on the installations of other states and these were installed at an isolated location for testing. Seven vehicles of various sizes negotiated these rumble strips at varying speeds and the decibel levels at the driver's location, as well as steering wheel vibration, were recorded and analysed. From this data, two patterns were selected for further testing in an actual highway setting in Kansas in 2003. (Author/publisher)
Abstract