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Title:

Retroreflectivity Durability Comparison of Rumble Stripes Versus Painted Line

Accession Number:

01372872

Record Type:

Component

Abstract:

Rumble strips have been used for many years to provide vibratory feedback to drivers departing from their lanes. Frequently these rumble strips were placed adjacent to the marked lines; however, recently agencies have aligned the markings within the rumble strips. These painted rumble strips, also known as rumble stripes, are emerging as centerline and edge line treatments that can provide vibratory feedback to drivers of vehicles beginning to move outside of the marked lane. A collateral benefit of painting edge lines within the rumble strip is the potential to increase the retroreflective durability of the lines, particularly in areas that have substantial winter plowing operations. Nighttime visibility of pavement markings in dry and wet conditions is crucial to safe vehicle operation on roadways. This study established a test corridor to compare the nighttime visibility of edge line rumble stripes to the standard painted edge line before and after a winter season in Central Indiana. A qualitative and quantitative analysis indicated that rumble stripes provide improved retroreflectivity over the standard painted line in dry and wet conditions. The rumble stripes consistently surpassed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommended repainting thresholds for painted lines after one winter season. In dry conditions the median coefficient of retroreflectivity for a rumble stripe with glass beads surpassed the standard painted line by approximately 95% for white and 80% for yellow. The study also observed that in a corridor with paint containing a blend of elements designed for enhanced retroreflectivity, the rumble stripe exceeded the edge line by approximately 90% for white and 260% for yellow.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHD55(1) AHD55 Paper Review

Monograph Accession #:

01362476

Report/Paper Numbers:

12-0616

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Mitkey, Stuart Richard
Brennan Jr, Thomas M
Remias, Stephen Matthew
Hainen, Alexander Michael
Morris, Randy
Michael, Paul
Bullock, Darcy M

Pagination:

26p

Publication Date:

2012

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2012-1-22 to 2012-1-26
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables

Geographic Terms:

Indiana

Subject Areas:

Highways; Materials; Pavements; I35: Miscellaneous Materials

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-0616

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Feb 8 2012 4:56PM