Evaluation of Rumbler, Preformed Rumble Strip

The Rumbler is a temporary rumble strip consisting of several plastic bumps that are six inches wide, four (to six) feet long, and between 0.15 and 0.25 inches high. They are affixed to the pavement with an adhesive. The Rumbler was installed on the northbound approach of a recently signalized intersection in rural Dodge County, WI. Vehicular speeds were measured both before and after the installation of the Rumbler to test the hypothesis that the warning would evoke an immediate driver response. In addition, noise and vibration levels interior to an automobile were recorded for both the Rumbler and a nearby conventional rumble strip. The Rumbler is much quieter than a conventional rumble strip. The Rumbler also produced considerably less vibrations in the test automobile. The quality of sound from the Rumbler is also distinctly different from a conventional rumble strip. However the Rumbler’s sound is qualitatively different and louder than road noise. The Rumbler did not elicit a large behavioral response from drivers. However, the Rumbler may have had the effect of reminding drivers of the need to be alert to the signal.