Run-Off-Road Collisions: Appendix 2

Description of Maryland DOT Program for Shoulder Rumble Strips on Two-Lane Roads

Emphasis Area
Run-Off-Road Crashes

Strategy Number and Name
Shoulder rumble strips on two-lane roads

Agency and Jurisdiction
Maryland State Highway Administration

Problem(s) Identified
Maryland was experiencing excessive frequencies and rates of fatal run-off-road collisions on certain two-lane road locations.

Goals and Objectives Established
To implement experimental sections of rumble strips to study their effectiveness and operation. The ultimate goal is to reduce the rate of run-off-road collisions at such locations.

Description of Strategy(ies) Implemented
In a limited pilot program, Maryland has installed shoulder rumble strips on four different sections of two-lane road.

Summary of Implementation Effort
First, in combination with the centerline rumble strips and buffer medians discussed in a related profile, Maryland placed shoulder rumble strips on approximately seven miles of MD 90 from US 50 to west of MD 528 in the late 1990’s. The rumble strips were milled in on asphalt shoulders which were approximately 6-8 ft. wide.

In 2000, shoulder rumble strips were installed on a 0.5 mile section of US 113. In a unique application, they were installed on only one side of the road since closely-spaced driveways prohibit their use on the opposite shoulder. Contract costs were approximately 12-14 cents per linear foot.

In 1999, shoulder rumble strips were installed on MD 135 in western Maryland on Backbone Mountain. This installation was approximately three miles in length on a section of steep roadway that experienced significant bad weather and fog. The installation was requested by roadway maintenance and engineering staff and by the public. Milled-in strips were used on the 10-ft asphalt shoulders. The strips were not installed at intersections on shoulders that might be used as acceleration or deceleration lanes. In addition, to reduce noise to nearby residents, the rumble strips were not installed within approximately 200 ft. of residences. The treatments has not been evaluated at this time.

Finally, in 2000, rumble strips were installed along both shoulders of MD 404 from US 50 to the Delaware State line – a distance of approximately 25 miles. This route serves as a popular route to the Eastern Shore and Delaware beaches.

Summary of Results
None of these sections have been evaluated, primarily due to the recent installation.

Contact Person and Information
Manu Shah, Chief, Traffic Safety, MD State Highway Administration.