Performance Analysis of Centerline Rumble Strips in Washington State

摘要

By 2004 WSDOT had installed roughly 100 miles of centerline rumble strips (CLRS) on an experimental basis as a countermeasure to reduce cross-centerline collisions. From 2004 through June 2010, WSDOT installed nearly 1,400 additional miles. Although these installations had been monitored, an in-depth study had not been undertaken to fully explore the effectiveness of CLRS in Washington State. This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of CLRS in reducing cross-centerline collisions and to evaluate whether using this countermeasure increased the frequency of run-off-the-road-to-the-right (ROTRR) collisions. The study provided an opportunity to evaluate and, if necessary, modify the current design guidance regarding the use of this countermeasure. The research team examined specific conditions and variables where CLRS were installed. These included, but were not limited to, traffic volumes, posted speed, lane and shoulder widths, tangent and curve conditions, and other geometric conditions in a before/after review.