Centerline Rumble Strips Help Cars and Bicyclists

Jefferson County Colorado has foothill canyons with winding mountain roads that serve vehicular traffic including a significant number of bicyclists. Two roads had experienced high accident rates related to vehicles crossing the centerline at high speeds around curves. Jefferson County chose to apply centerline rumble strips to address the problem. Bicycle groups loudly objected in fear that the rumble strips would induce more hazards to bicyclists. They feared the motorists would be less likely to cross the centerline to pass a bicyclist on the edge of the traveled lane thereby increasing risk to bicyclists. The county decided to proceed with the project since the safety problem of speeding vehicles crossing the centerline was the overriding consideration and expected that motorists would drive on the grooved pavement before hitting a bicyclist. A rumble strip groove design developed by the Colorado Department of Transportation, consisted of shallow grooves that provide a buzz to vehicles and are easily negotiated by bicyclists. The bicycle groups were concerned about passing room provided to the cyclists and conducted their own study. They found the cars actually gave bicyclists additional clearance compared to passing in similar conditions with no centerline rumble strips. The vehicle and bicycle accidents have been reduced. The treatment of centerline rumble strips is deemed effective to reduce speeds and induce drivers to stay in their lane around curves while also improving safety for cyclists.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1933452080
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 

  ARRB

  Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
• Authors:
  • Zebauers, Valdis
• Conference:
  • ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Compendium of Technical Papers
  • Location: Melbourne , Australia
  • Date: 2005-8-7 to 2005-8-10
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: CD-ROM; Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 6p
• Monograph Title: ITE 2005 Annual Meeting and Exhibit Compendium of Technical Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle crashes; Center lines; Crash rates; Cyclists; Highway safety; Passing; Pavement grooving; Rumble strips; Speed
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01006850
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1933452080
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Oct 21 2005 1:18PM