Evaluation of Recent Traffic and Safety Initiatives, Volume III: Centerline Rumble Strips on Rural, Two-Way, Undivided Highways

Saito, Mitsuru{30447}; Richards, Samuel J.N. · 2005 · ROSA P / Utah. Dept. of Transportation

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Summary

This report evaluates the efficacy, implementation, and public perception of centerline rumble strips (CLRS) on rural, two-way, undivided highways. Motivated by the high incidence of crossover crashes caused by driver drowsiness, fatigue, and inattention, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) installed 30 miles of CLRS on Highway US-6. The study aims to determine if CLRS effectively reduce these accidents and to compile guidelines for future usage, addressing a technology that lacks standardized geometric or operational specifications. The research methodology combined a comprehensive literature review, a public opinion survey of 533 drivers conducted at gas stations near installation sites, and a state-of-the-practice survey sent to all 50 state departments of transportation. The literature review analyzed existing reports on safety, cost, and maintenance. The public opinion survey utilized statistical analysis (SAS) to assess driver demographics, behavioral reactions, and acceptance. The state-of-the-practice survey, which achieved a 79% response rate, gathered data on CLRS dimensions, highway geometry requirements, costs, and crash reduction statistics from 18 states currently using the technology. Findings indicate that CLRS are generally effective and well-received. Literature and state data suggest significant reductions in crossover-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities, with high benefit-to-cost ratios. The public opinion survey revealed strong driver approval and increased confidence in vehicle control. However, the study identified several drawbacks, including noise pollution, maintenance challenges, and safety concerns for motorcyclists and bicyclists. There is also a potential risk of drivers over-correcting into the oncoming lane. Crucially, the research found no standardized geometric or operational guidelines; dimensions for length, width, depth, and spacing vary significantly across states, and correlations between specific dimensions and effectiveness remain unestablished. The report concludes that UDOT should consider CLRS as a viable method for reducing crossover crashes on rural highways. Despite the lack of standardized guidelines and the presence of noise and maintenance issues, the safety benefits and public acceptance outweigh the negatives. The authors recommend future research focused on optimizing rumble strip geometries, improving maintenance techniques, reducing noise, and establishing standardized installation criteria based on highway geometry and operating conditions.

Key finding

Centerline rumble strips significantly reduce crossover-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities while achieving high benefit-to-cost ratios and public approval, though standardized geometric and operational guidelines remain lacking.

Methodology

mixed_methods

Sample size: 533

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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• perceptual countermeasures