OPERATIONAL EFFECTS OF TRANSVERSE RUMBLE STRIPS ON APPROACHES

1 The objective of this study was to determine whether the application of transverse rumble strips 2 (TRS) is an effective warning device for drivers approaching high-speed intersections. 3 Performance was evaluated for attention-getting characteristics, driver speed choice, and braking 4 behavior. Five intersection approaches on US 280 in Alabama were selected and monitored during 5 both day and night conditions. Acoustic and tactile signatures were measured by a 6 specially-equipped passenger car under different speed ranges. To examine the effectiveness on 7 speed changes, vehicle time mean speeds were recorded by radar measurements along the 8 approaches to the intersections: 400 ft. (122 m) upstream of the TRS, right before the TRS, and 9 right after the TRS. Video cameras were also in place to survey the braking lights of vehicles 10 driving over the TRS to quantify driver behavior. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) F-test and 11 Tukey’s Honest Significance Test revealed that the strips created a recognizable amount of interior 12 noise and vibration when a vehicle crossed over the TRS. The installation of TRS generally 13 produced statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) reductions in approach speeds. During both the 14 daytime and nighttime, drivers drove at lower speeds through the intersections compared with the 15 initial upstream speed. The TRS also exerted certain effects on driver braking behavior. 16 17