When you are driving on long roads then fatigue and distractions can reduce your focus on the road. That’s why rumble strips are installed. They shake under your vehicle wheels and make a loud sound.
In today’s article, you will learn where these life-saving strips are installed, how they work and why you should pay close attention to them while driving.
Rumble Strips on Road: Drunk Bumps
Rumble strips are also known as audible lines, rumble devices and rumble stripes. Actually, these are grooved or raised strips on the surface of the road. They are designed to warn you when you drive your car carelessly.
Basically, when your car moves on these strips they shake your car and produce a noise. Therefore, when unconsciously your car goes off the lane, a loud sound alerts you to come back on the track. That’s why It is an effective method to reduce RTCs (road traffic crashes).
Rumble Strips Road Marking
When you want to install rumble strips on a temporary basis. You can use rumble strip markings or rumble strip tapes. Actually, these tapes also make noise and vibration when your car passes over them.
You can easily stick these adhesive tapes on both concrete and asphalt roads. You might see these tapes or markings on roads where regular rumble strips can’t be installed.
Who Invented Rumble Strips?
Well, the early construction of rumble strips was started in 1943 when they were tested in New Jersey. But the first rumble strip named “Singing Shoulder” was installed in 1952. At that time, there were only grooved or cut patterns on the road.
After that, from the 1980s to 90s many organizations and experts worked on their design. After that, you get an effective design of temporary as well as permanent rumble strips.
Types of Rumble Strips
Transverse Rumble Strips
These are rough and raised rumble strips that are made across the direction of the road. Basically, these strips cut the road from the center to control your speed. This type of rumble strip only warns you about the danger ahead like a stop sign or sharp curve. Transverse rumble strips are louder as compared to other types.
Raised Rumble Strips
Simply, these strips are raised devices that are installed on the edges and centerline of the road. You can use them for temporary needs because they are not engraved in the road. Mostly, these strips are painted with bright yellow and orange colors. Their main purpose is to keep your car in the right lane.
Shoulder Rumble Strips
Shoulder rumble strips are cuts made on the shoulders of the road. Specifically, they are created to protect your car when it drifts off from the road. You can find these structures on highways and expressways because there are more chances of lane departures.
Centerline Rumble Strips
These are also grooved structures like shoulder strips but you will see these strips in the center of the road. Specifically, these strips are created on the road with multiple lanes. So, if your car slips toward the opposite lane due to your distraction it alerts you. Therefore, they save you from centerline crashes.
Thermoplastic Rumble Strips
These rumble strips are made up of thermoplastic road marking paint that is placed on the surface of the road. Basically, thermoplastic strips are applied with the help of an extrusion method. You might see them in bright yellow and white colors. Additionally, they are located near school zones and intersections to slow down your vehicle.
What are Rumble Strips Used for/ Rumble Strips Purpose
As you know, rumble strips are constructed to alert you when you feel sleepy or inactive on the road. Their main goal is to protect you from collisions and severe crashes that are very common right now. They are also used to control your speed when you are near a market for the protection of pedestrians.
You can place them near construction areas to protect workers and control your heavy machinery. Moreover, you can see reflective material on these strips that guide you when you drive at night.
Rumble Strips For Speed Reduction
The discussion on this thing is still in progress. Several governments and traffic authorities used many strategies to reduce the speed of your vehicles. Among these all strategies, rumble strips are most popular. Because their placement cost is less than other speed reduction tools like speed bumps or humps.
But on the other hand, some states don’t consider them an ideal option. The reason is that they produce a loud sound and can affect you if you are a cycle user.
Rumble Strips Sign
Mostly a diamond shaped sign board which says “Rumble Strips Ahead” is used to inform you about the presence of rumble strips. Sometimes, you may observe a black bar that is shaped like a speed bump on the triangle sign board. It also indicates rumble strips.
A car with straight lines under its wheels also tells you that transverse rumbles are here. If you see this type of sign board you should slow down your car and stay at your side.
Rumble Strip Specification & Dimensions
The specification of rumble strips mainly depends on the type of rumble strips. Below are some dimensions that you should follow if you want to install them.
- You should create a 0.5 inch deep cut on the road if you want to make it safe for your vehicles.
- You must create 5 to 7 inches wide rumble strips. But if you want to place raised rumble strips then you can choose a width of 2 to 12 inches.
- The space between each rumble strip should be kept 12 inches.
- You can use different methods to place rumble strips like grinding, rolling and forming. But on concrete roads, you can only cut the road by grinding.
- If the width of your concrete road is 14 ft then keep your strip closer to the edge line.
- You can’t place rumble strips at such a place where the distance between the selected place and intersection is 250 ft.
- You should avoid rumble strips if the width of the road shoulder is less than 6 ft.
- If you install strips on concrete always follow a 60 ft pattern rule. For example, you can put 48 feet of strips and then leave a 12 ft gap.
- You can’t use rectangular corrugated rumble strips as a center line.
- You must end rumble strip patterns or markings before sharp curves on the main road.
How Rumble Strips are Made/Rumble Strips Construction
How are Rumble Strips Installed? Well, the answer to this question depends on the type of rumble strips that you want to install on your road.
Rumble Strip Milling
You can use a milling machine to groove rumble strips on the existing road or pavements. Actually, a rotating cutter head is attached to the bottom of the milling machine. When you drop your cutter into asphalt the shape of rumbles is created. Mostly, you can see these milling machines attached with a truck to make these patterns.
Rumble Strip Roller
If you want to make rumble strips you can use a roller machine as it is more simple. But you can use this method on a newly built road when the asphalt is hot. In this method, you don’t need to cut the surface. Actually, you only press the hot asphalt with the help of a roller to make strips. In addition, this is a dust-free process.
Thermoplastic Road Marking Machine
In case of thermoplastic rumble strips you will need an applicator machine. Basically, this machine can help you to place raised rumble strips quickly. Firstly, a white baseline is created, then strips of thermoplastic are heated to be installed on the road.
Where Are Rumble Strips Installed?
- Rumble strips are installed in urban areas where road crashes are more common. For example a road with multiple lanes.
- Mostly, you can see these structures on undivided highways or at their shoulders.
- In some countries, rumble strips are also placed before toll booths to reduce your speed.
- They are installed near stop signs, if a stop sign is not clearly visible to you or traffic lights are not available.
- These signs are used near a school zone to alert you about the presence of kids.
- Generally, you can observe these audible lines before a sharp curve to prepare you for a turn.
- You can install these raised strips near construction zones temporarily.
- Rumble strips can be grooved near steep or downhill roads where you need extra attention.
Do Rumble Strips Damage Tires?
Yes, rumble strips can damage your tires, when you roll your wheels on them at a high speed for a long time. But if you cross your vehicle slowly then they don’t harm your tires. They just produce a noise and vibrate your car to alert you.
Final Thoughts
At last, we hope that now you can understand what rumble strips are and their major types. You can also see where they are mostly placed. Whenever you see rumble strips, you must slow down your car for the safety of both yourself and your vehicle.
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