Evaluation of Orange Removable Rumble Strips for Highway Work Zones

Rumble strips can be effective in alerting drivers to road conditions that merit special attention. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requires the deployment of rumble strips on state routes during maintenance work that necessitates the closure of a lane on a two-lane highway. In such a case, a temporary signal is placed at each end of the work zone, and rumble strips are used to alert drivers that they may need to stop. Currently, cold-mix asphalt is used to create the rumble strips. A new product, orange removable rumble strips, promises to reduce significantly the effort required to apply and to remove rumble strips, while improving safety by increased conspicuity. These removable rumble strips were evaluated at a bridge repair site in rural Kansas. Vehicle speeds were recorded with only the standard asphalt rumble strips in place, then the removable rumble strips were installed and more speed data were collected. Installation and removal times also were compared. Strips were easily applied and easily removed. The audible and tactile effects of the strips were weak due to their 3.2 mm (1/8 in.) thickness in comparison with the 12.7 to 19 mm (1/2 to 3/4 in.) thickness of standard asphalt rumble strips. However, the orange removable rumble strips were found to have a significant effect on vehicle speeds, attributable to their high visibility. KDOT plans to conduct another evaluation using a version of the same device that is 20% thicker.