Effects of Innovative Portable Plastic Rumble Strips at Flagger-Controlled Temporary Maintenance Work Zones
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 2
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of portable plastic rumble strips (PPRSs) on speed reduction and drivers’ behaviors in advance of flagger-controlled work zones. Travel speed data were collected at three two-lane highways with temporary (less than a day) maintenance activities, at which standard flagger traffic control was set up with or without the implementation of PPRSs. Drivers’ reactions to the PPRSs, such as changing lanes and braking in the vicinity of the PPRSs, were also investigated when the PPRSs were in place. The results showed that drivers became more cautious because of the PPRSs. The PPRSs reduced car mean speeds by 9.7 to (6.0 to ). They also decreased the 85th percentile of car speeds at two field test sites. It was observed that 30 to 80% of all drivers activated their brakes when they approached the PPRSs close to the flagger. In addition, about 5% of car and truck drivers swerved around the PPRSs. This indicates that additional signing or other supplemental traffic devices would be needed when the PPRSs are implemented.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by The Kansas Department of Transportation. The authors thank all Oskaloosa crew from The Kansas Department of Transportation for their assistance with the field test site arrangement and operation.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 2 • February 2013
Pages: 156 - 164
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 1, 2012
Accepted: Sep 5, 2012
Published online: Sep 6, 2012
Published in print: Feb 1, 2013
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