Head-On Collisions: Appendix 2

Profiles of State and Local Implementation Efforts: Strategy 18.1 A1 (Virginia Department of Transportation)

Emphasis Area
18.1-Reducing accidents involving head-on collisions

Objective
18.1 A-Keep vehicles from encroaching into opposite lane

Strategy
18.1 A1-Install centerline rumble strips for two-lane roads

Agency and Jurisdiction
Virginia DOT

Problem(s) Identified
Virginia is looking for ways to reduce head-on crashes on undivided rural roads.

Goals and Objectives Established
Implement a test section of centerline rumble strips and determine the effects on safety.

Description of Strategy Implemented
Centerline rumble strips on two and four-lane roadways.

Summary of Implementation Effort
Virginia DOT installed centerline rumble strips on 1.9 miles of a 12-mile safety project on a two-lane rural section of U.S. 15. Traffic volumes were fairly heavy, with high percentages of heavy trucks. They are also installing centerline strips on a 6-mile section of a four-lane undivided portion of U.S. 1 in Fairfax County, and are proposing a pilot project on two-lane road sections in the Northern Virginia District.

Summary of Results
While a formal evaluation is being planned, initial input from state police and local citizens suggests that rumble strips are successful in preventing centerline encroachments and deterring passing in no-passing zones.

Contact Person and Information
Stephen C. Brich, Assistant State Traffic Engineer, Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 786-7941, Fax (804) 225-4978