Rumble Strips
Rumble strips consist of a pattern of raised ceramic pavement markers applied to the pavement to alert motorists of a change in roadway conditions ahead. They transmit vibration and sound to the motorists which refocuses attention back to the roadway.
There are two primary uses of rumble strips as a traffic calming measure:
1. Rumble strips can provide advance warning of a change in neighborhood characteristics ahead. For instance, it can be used in conjunction with gateway treatments, centerline changes, street tree treatments, etc. to alert motorists that they are entering an area where they should drive with caution.
2. Rumble strips can also create an area with an uncomfortable roadway surface which may influence motorists to drive slower.
Some of the issues regarding rumble strips include the following:
• The noise and vibration created by the rumble strips affects the adjacent residences.
• Bicyclists and motorcyclists may have experience difficulty riding over the ceramic markers.
• Motorists tend to swerve to avoid driving over the rumble strips.
• Influence on motorists speed may be minimal or site specific.
IMPLEMENTATION
Rumble strips can be installed to emphasize traffic calming measures or other unexpected roadway conditions. However, due to the noise and vibration created by rumble strips, written concurrence from the adjacent property owner will be required prior to installing rumble strips.