Effects of Innovative Portable Plastic Rumble Strips at Flagger-Controlled Temporary Maintenance Work Zones

This study evaluated the effects of portable plastic rumble strips (PPRSs) on speed reduction and drivers' behaviors in advance of flagger-controlled work zones. Travel speed data were collected at three two-lane highways with temporary (less than a day) maintenance activities, at which standard flagger traffic control was set up with or without the implementation of PPRSs. Drivers' reactions to the PPRSs, such as changing lanes and braking in the vicinity of the PPRSs, were also investigated when the PPRSs were in place. The results showed that drivers became more cautious because of the PPRSs. The PPRSs reduced car mean speeds by 9.7 to 22.2 km/h (6.0 to 13.8 mi/h). They also decreased the 85th percentile of car speeds at two field test sites. It was observed that 30 to 80% of all drivers activated their brakes when they approached the PPRSs close to the flagger. In addition, about 5% of car and truck drivers swerved around the PPRSs. This indicates that additional signing or other supplemental traffic devices would be needed when the PPRSs are implemented. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000499. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.