Transportation agencies are using a variety of rumble strip patterns to improve highway safety. Previous studies have documented the efficacy of this low cost treatment in reducing certain categories of crashes. This experience and associated evaluations have led to the routine and experimental application of rumble strips in additional settings. Before implementing any strategy on a wide scale, transportation agency decision makers seek information on the probable consequences of the strategy. An evaluation of the effect a treatment has on operational characteristics can be conducted and reported in much less time than an evaluation based on crash data, although the latter is a much preferred basis for assessing safety consequences. Previous research indicated a relationship between the variance of lateral vehicle placement and crash frequency. This research investigated the effect of centerline rumble strips on lateral vehicle placement and vehicle speeds on two-lane highways through a before-after observational study. Data were collected using tapeswitches at two treatment sites and two comparison sites; lane widths were 11 and 12 feet. Data analysis and statistical testing indicate the centerline rumble strips had a significant effect on lateral vehicle placement at both treatment sites. The observed change in lateral vehicle placement was away from the centerline rumble strips at both treatment sites. Data collected at the corresponding comparison sites during the before and after periods indicate the change in lateral vehicle placement was not significant. In comparing before and after data, a significant reduction in the variance of lateral vehicle placement was found at both treatment sites; no significant change was found in the before-after variances of lateral vehicle placement for either comparison site. The study found that lateral vehicle placement in travel lanes may not be normally distributed as was previously assumed. Further evaluation of lateral vehicle placement distribution should be conducted using larger sample sizes and different roadway cross sections. Analysis of speed data did not reveal a consistent effect of centerline rumble strips on the mean or variance of the speed distribution.
Evaluation of Centerline Rumble Strips on Lateral Vehicle Placement and Speed on Two-Lane Highways
2003
50 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Transportation & Traffic Planning , Transportation , Road Transportation , Highway Engineering , Rumble strips , Two-lane roads , Evaluation , Highway safety , Centerline warnings , Highway design , Traffic safety , Traffic control devices , Road shoulders , Accident reduction , Comparison sites , Data analysis , Statistical data , Speed control , Lateral vehicle placement , Tapeswitches
Evaluation of Effects of Centerline Rumble Strips on Lateral Vehicle Placement and Speed
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