Study Details

Study Title: Developing Optimal Centerline Rumble Strips and Evaluating Their Safety Benefits on National Highways in Hokkaido, Japan

Authors: Hirasawa et al.

Publication Date: 2006

Abstract: Fatal head-on vehicular collisions are a more serious problem in Hokkaido than elsewhere in Japan, especially on rural two-lane two-way national highways. Such collisions can be reduced by installing centerline rumble strips (CLRS), which alert drivers of crossing deviation by sound and vibration. Our goal is to develop an optimal CLRS specification and to evaluate the safety benefits on national highways where such CLRS have been installed. CLRS of various specifications were examined to determine the sound and vibration generated for each specification. These CLRS were also investigated by driving tests on a test track to determine whether they posed a danger to 2-wheel vehicles running on the strips and to survey the subjective danger felt by drivers of 2- and 4-wheel vehicles running on the strips. The optimal size was found to be a longitudinal width of 150 mm, transverse width of 350 mm, and depth of 12 mm. 80 dB of sound was produced inside the vehicle, which is sufficient for warning. To promote CLRS use, we conducted examinations to determine standards for "slim CLRS" 150 mm wide (width of a yellow single centerline) and 15 mm deep. CLRS entail no maintenance costs, are highly durable, and continue to generate sound and vibration even when thinly covered with snow. Rumble strips have spread quickly and widely. Between 2002 and 2003, they were installed on approx. 40 km of national highway. On those sections, the number of head-on collisions decreased by approx. 55, showing the effectiveness of the strips.

Study Citation: Hirasawa, M., Takuda, T., Asano, M., and Saito, K., "Developing Optimal Centerline Rumble Strips and Evaluating Their Safety Benefits on National Highways in Hokkaido, Japan." 2006 TRB 85th Annual Meeting: Compendium of Papers CD-ROM, Vol. TRB#06-1968, Washington, D.C. , (2006)


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Roadway

Countermeasure: Install centerline rumble strips

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.45551 StarHead onAllNot specifiedRural
0.32681 StarHead onKNot specifiedRural
0.74261 StarHead onBNot specifiedRural
0.67331 StarHead onANot specifiedRural