Rumbler Strips (RS), also known as rumble strips, are road safety features designed to alert inattentive drivers through vibration and audible rumbling when a vehicle drives over them. They are typically installed along highways, roadsides, centerlines, and intersections.
Here’s a standard specification for RS – Rumbler Strip based on common highway and transportation guidelines (like MoRTH in India or FHWA in the US). Always refer to the specific country’s highway standards for final approval.
Specification of RS – Rumbler Strip
1. Purpose:
To reduce accidents by alerting drivers when they unintentionally leave the travel lane, approach a hazard, or enter a high-risk area like intersections or sharp curves.
2. Location of Installation:
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Centerline or edge line of highways
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Approaches to toll booths, intersections, pedestrian crossings, or school zones
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Horizontal curves or accident-prone zones
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Emergency lane separation
3. Materials:
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Thermoplastic paint or preformed tape with retro-reflective properties
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Bituminous mix or cold plastic (for embedded or extruded types)
4. Dimensions:
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Width: 150 mm – 300 mm (commonly 200 mm)
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Length (along the road): 300 mm – 600 mm
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Height/Depth: 8 mm – 15 mm (extruded above surface or milled into pavement)
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Spacing between strips: 300 mm – 600 mm center-to-center
5. Design Types:
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Transverse Rumble Strips: Perpendicular to direction of travel (used at intersections, toll plazas)
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Longitudinal Rumble Strips: Parallel to direction of travel (used on shoulders or centerlines)
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Milled, rolled, or raised types depending on road surface and traffic condition
6. Installation Method:
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Milled using rotary cutting tools (preferred for durability)
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Raised using thermoplastic or epoxy-based materials
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Rolled in freshly laid asphalt (less durable, used in low-traffic roads)
7. Reflectivity:
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Should be reflective at night (if painted)
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Use reflective thermoplastic or glass beads mixed into paint for visibility
8. Durability:
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Should last for at least 3–5 years under normal traffic and weather conditions
9. Safety Compliance:
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Must comply with local road safety and highway engineering guidelines
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MoRTH (India): Section 800 or 1500
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FHWA (USA): MUTCD and FHWA Rumble Strip Guidelines
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