00977223

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/1862-06

http://scholar.google.com...ango&publication_year=2004

The effectiveness of centerline rumble strips in reducing cross-over-the-centerline crashes and improving the safety of undivided roadways was evaluated. Twenty U.S. states, along with several Canadian provinces, are currently using centerline rumble strips. A detailed analysis of crashes on State Routes 2, 20, and 88 in Massachusetts before and after installation of centerline rumble strips showed no significant change in crash frequencies; however, no fatal crashes have occurred on State Routes 2 and 88 since the installation of centerline rumble strips. Three cross-over-the-centerline fatal crashes did occur on State Route 20 after the centerline rumble strips were installed; centerline rumble strips were not a countermeasure to these specific crash types. Driver behavior at shoulder and centerline rumble strips was evaluated with a full-scale driving simulator. Drivers were found to react and correct the vehicle trajectory more quickly with centerline rumble strip encounters than with shoulder rumble strip encounters. About 27% of drivers made an initial leftward correction of their vehicles when encountering centerline rumble strips. Although this percentage may be inflated because of laboratory conditions, there is some probability of a driver confusing centerline rumble strips with shoulder rumble strips and reacting improperly. No improper (rightward) corrections were experienced with shoulder rumble strip scenarios. Centerline rumble strips were found to be effective at gaining drivers' attention and therefore to be an effective traffic control device and safety countermeasure in areas where a history of cross-over-the-centerline fatal and injury crashes occur.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1862, Traffic Control Devices, Visibility, and Rail-Highway Grade Crossings 2004.

00977217

English

p. 44-53

2004

Transportation Research Record

0309094542

Figures (3) ; Photos (3) ; References (14) ; Tables (4)

Before and after studies; Behavior; Center lines; Crash analysis; Drivers; Driving simulators; Highway safety; Improvements; Rumble strips

Massachusetts

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control

TRIS, TRB

Aug 27 2004 12:00AM

• DEVELOPMENT OF VISIBILITY ASSESSMENT METHODS WITH DIGITAL IMAGES UNDER FOGGY CONDITIONS
• DRIVER BEHAVIOR CHARACTERISTICS AT URBAN SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS
• DRIVER UNDERSTANDING OF POTENTIAL ALL-WHITE PAVEMENT MARKING PATTERNS
• EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF CENTERLINE RUMBLE STRIPS ON LATERAL VEHICLE PLACEMENT AND SPEED
• EXTENDED PHOTOMETRIC MODEL OF FOG EFFECTS ON ROAD VISION
• FIELD EVALUATIONS OF WARNING AND REGULATORY SIGNS WITH ENHANCED CONSPICUITY PROPERTIES
• FOG LUMINANCE EVALUATION IN DAYTIME
• IMPROVED RED CLEARANCE INTERVALS BASED ON OBSERVED TURNING TIMES FOR LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT
• LABORATORY EVALUATION OF INTRUSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS
• NEW FONT AND ARROW FOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GUIDE SIGNS
• RISK-BASED MODEL FOR IDENTIFYING HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING BLACKSPOTS
• TRAFFIC SIGN LUMINANCE REQUIREMENTS OF NIGHTTIME DRIVERS FOR SYMBOLIC SIGNS
• VALIDATION OF PHOTOMETRIC MODELING TECHNIQUES FOR RETROREFLECTIVE TRAFFIC SIGNS
• VISUAL PERFORMANCE UNDER MESOPIC CONDITIONS: CONSEQUENCES FOR ROADWAY LIGHTING