Rumble Strips

NHTSA · 2004 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration

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Summary

This document addresses the critical safety issue of roadway departure crashes, which account for more than half of all roadway fatalities in the United States. In 2001, there were 23,205 such fatalities, comprising 55 percent of all roadway deaths. These incidents include run-off-the-road (ROR) crashes, which caused 16,256 deaths, and head-on collisions, which accounted for 6,627 deaths. The problem is exacerbated by contributing factors such as driver fatigue, inattention, poor visibility, and inclement weather. Notably, 70 percent of ROR fatalities occur on rural highways, and 90 percent happen on two-lane roads, where lighting is often insufficient. The estimated annual cost of these crashes is $100 billion, with an average fatality occurring every 26 minutes. The proposed solution is the installation of rumble strips, defined as raised or grooved patterns on the roadway shoulder or centerline that provide audible and physical warnings to drivers drifting from their lanes. The document outlines three types: continuous shoulder strips for preventing ROR crashes on various roadways, centerline strips for preventing head-on collisions on two-lane highways, and transverse strips for alerting drivers at intersections, curves, and work zones. Rumble strips are highlighted as a cost-effective intervention, with benefit-to-cost ratios ranging from 30:1 to 60:1 in Nevada and an estimated 50:1 nationwide for milled strips on rural interstates. They are inexpensive to install, require minimal maintenance, and do not cause noticeable pavement degradation. Evidence from state-level applications demonstrates significant efficacy. In Delaware, the installation of centerline rumble strips on U.S. Route 301 reduced head-on collision rates by 90 percent and eliminated fatalities, despite a 30 percent increase in traffic. A study on the New York Thruway showed an 88 percent reduction in ROR crashes, an 87 percent reduction in injuries, and a 95 percent reduction in fatalities following installation. Similarly, Virginia’s deployment of continuous shoulder rumble strips across its interstate system from 1997 to 2000 resulted in a 51.5 percent reduction in ROR crashes, preventing an estimated 1,150 crashes and 1,085 injuries, while saving 52 lives and $31.2 million. The significance of these findings lies in the validation of rumble strips as one of the most cost-effective safety features available, outperforming alternatives like guardrails and slope flattening. By addressing the primary causes of roadway departure crashes—particularly driver inattention and fatigue—rumble strips offer a scalable, low-maintenance solution that substantially reduces fatalities, injuries, and economic losses. The document concludes by directing readers to Federal Highway Administration resources for further technical guidance and implementation details.

Key finding

Delaware centerline rumble strips on U.S. Route 301 reduced head-on collisions by 90 percent and fatalities to zero despite a 30 percent increase in traffic.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Topics

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• perceptual countermeasures

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes