Rumble Strip - History

History

Rumble strips were first implemented on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey in 1952. Rumble strips have also been used to prevent accidents caused by inattentive drivers straying out of their lane.

Initially, shoulder rumble strip installation focused on freeways using rolled-in rumble strips of different designs using a modified roller on a pavement rolling machines. Later, paving contractors modified pavement rolling machines to mill rumble strips into existing hardened asphalt pavement. Specifically designed commercially available machines followed. The development of ceramic and plastic raised systems enabled installation on concrete pavement highways, and the smaller footprint was better suited for the dashed centre-line. "Virtual" rumble strips followed.

As rumble strips produce audible rumbling in specific audio frequencies based on the spacing of the grooves and the speed of the automobile, they have been used to create novel musical roads. These are also known as "singing shoulders".

Rumble strip installation is widespread, and in some cases controversial. Residents near urban freeways complain of noise at night as vehicles change lanes; or when vehicles strike the transverse rumble strips. The encroachment of shoulder rumble strips onto highways with narrow shoulders may create a hazard for cyclists. U.S. and Canadian guidelines have minimum standards for installation on known cycling routes. In 2009, in Michigan, the Amish claimed the shoulder rumble strips were dangerous for horse-drawn carriages and successfully lobbied to have them paved over. In 2010, Kansas has considered removing shoulder rumble strips from an Interstate Highway to allow buses to travel on shoulder during periods of traffic congestion.