Centerline Rumble Strip Practice in North America

In the USA, shoulder rumble strips are very common. It is estimated that they reduce run of the road crashes up to 25%. Some USA states and two Canadian provinces have been experimenting with centerline rumble strips (CLRS). The authors have been conducting centerline research for the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) since 1999. They also were consultants on NCHRP Synthesis 339, Centerline Rumble Strips, on the North American practice of centerline rumble strips. Published and unpublished literature were searched and synthesized. All 50 USA states and 7 Canadian Provinces were surveyed as to their use and/or opinions of CLRS. Case studies were sought. Personal contacts were made. Policies, guidelines and warrants were sought. The paper will summarize the key findings of the Kansas studies and the comprehensive search and synthesis of North American use of CLRS. Overall, the body of evidence is that CLRS reduce head-on and opposite direction sideswipe crashes on two-way, two-way roads. The paper will present findings on the safety effectiveness of CLRS, and some other benefits, as well as discuss some concerns that need to be addressed.