The Highways (Traffic Calming) Regulations 1999 allow local authorities to construct rumble devices. These rumble devices are interpreted as “a part of the carriageway constructed of a material intended to generate noise or vibration in a vehicle passing over it”. Technical advice on the construction of rumble devices is contained in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 11/93. Rumble devices are designed to provide a vibratory and/or audible effect. They are intended to alert drivers to take greater care in advance of a hazard such as a bend or junction, and to help in reducing vehicle speeds. Reliance should not be placed on such traffic calming surfaces alone when seeking speed reduction. Traditional rumble devices, particularly rumble strips, can generate considerable external noise over a large area. The Department’s advice is that that the siting of rumble strips close to residential properties should be avoided. This leaflet describes a traffic calming surface profile that has been developed as a quieter alternative to conventional rumble strips, and is considered suitable for residential areas. TRL Ltd was commissioned to develop a profile that would create noise and vibration within vehicles passing over it, but not increase noise levels significantly for those outside the vehicles. (Author/publisher)
Abstract