Abstract
This paper summarizes the results of Phase II of a research project developing a novel design of directional rumble strips (DRSs) to deter wrong-way driving (WWD) onto freeway off-ramps. In Phase I of this project, five concept designs of the DRS (named from A to E) were developed to generate elevated sound and vibration to warn against WWD and to generate normal sound and vibration to slow down the right-way (RW) traffic. After initial field tests in Phase I, three final conceptual DRS designs were selected for further field verification, specifically, Patterns C, D3, and E1. Pattern C was designed based on traditional transverse rumble strips (TRSs), but the spacing between the strips was changed to generate different rhythms of sound and vibration. Pattern D3, which was modified based on the advance warning markings for speed humps, increases in thickness and length in each strip. Pattern E1 has a right-angled triangle cross section that can produce the most recognizable sound and vibration from the WWD direction among the three patterns. The objective of this paper was to document the field verification results of the final three patterns and to develop implementation recommendations for applying them on off-ramps. Overall, the field verification results indicated that the tested DRS can generate recognizable interior sound and a moderate amount of vibration to alert wrong-way drivers. Recommendations for implementation were also developed for transportation agencies to identify proper locations for installing them to achieve the best performance based on type and length of off-ramp.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The research described here was in support of the research project “Directional Rumble Strips for Reducing Wrong-Way Driving Freeway Entries” funded by the University Transportation Center (UTC) Region 5 through the University of Minnesota.
References
Baratian-Ghorghi, F., H. Zhou, and J. Shaw. 2014. “Overview of wrong-way driving fatal crashes in the United States.” ITE J. 84 (8): 41–47.
FHWA (Federal Highway Administration). 2009. Manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways. Washington, DC: FHWA.
Harder, K. A., J. Bloomfield, and B. J. Chihak. 2001. The effects of in-lane rumble strips on the stopping behavior of attentive drivers. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota DOT.
Harder, K. A., J. R. Bloomfield, and B. Chihak. 2006. Stopping behavior at real-world stop-controlled intersections with and without in-lane rumble strips. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota DOT.
Lank, C., and B. Steinauer. 2011. “Increasing road safety by influencing drivers’ speed choice with sound and vibration.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2248 (1): 45–52. https://doi.org/10.3141/2248-0610.3141/2248-06.
Outcalt, W. 2000. Bicycle-friendly rumble strips. Denver: Colorado DOT.
Rouholamin, M. P., H. Zhou, J. Shaw, and P. Tobias. 2014. “Overview of safety countermeasures for wrong-way driving crashes.” ITE J. Inst. Transp. Eng. 84 (12): 31–38.
Schrock, S., K. Heaslip, M. H. Wang, R. Jasrotia, and R. Rescot. 2010. “Closed-course test and analysis of vibration and sound generated by temporary rumble strips for short-term work zones.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2169 (1): 21–30. https://doi.org/10.3141/2169-03.
Sherwood, N., and M. J. Griffin. 1990. “Effects of whole-body vibration on short-term memory.” Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 61 (12): 1092–1097.
Srinivasan, R., J. Baek, and F. Council. 2010. “Safety evaluation of transverse rumble strips on approaches to stop-controlled intersections in rural areas.” J. Transp. Saf. Secur. 2 (3): 261–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/19439962.2010.508571.
Thompson, T., M. Burris, and P. Carlson. 2006. “Speed changes due to transverse rumble strips on approaches to high-speed stop-controlled intersections.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1973 (1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198106197300101.
Wang, M. H., S. D. Schrock, C. Bornheimer, and R. Rescot. 2012. “Effects of innovative portable plastic rumble strips at flagger-controlled temporary maintenance work zones.” J. Transp. Eng. 139 (2): 156–164. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000499.
Yang, L., H. Zhou, L. Zhu, and H. Qu. 2016. “Operational effects of transverse rumble strips on approaches to high-speed intersections.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2602 (1): 78–87. https://doi.org/10.3141/2602-10.
Zhou, H., J. Zhao, R. Fries, M. R. Gahrooei, L. Wang, B. Vaughn, K. Bahaaldin, and B. Ayyalasomayajula. 2012. Investigation of contributing factors regarding wrong-way driving on freeways. Urbana, IL: Illinois Center for Transportation.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 13, 2018
Accepted: Jan 4, 2019
Published online: May 22, 2019
Published in print: Aug 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 22, 2019
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.