Federal Highway Administration – Federal Lands Highway Division

Rumble Strip 

Guidelines

FOR SHOULDER AND CENTER LINE APPLICATIONS

Prepared by Federal Lands Highway Division Safety Team

11/9/2015
FLH Rumble Strip Guidelines

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SHOULDER AND CENTER LINE RUMBLE STRIPS

Introduction

This document is intended to provide guidance to Federal Lands Highway (FLH) Designers, Project 

Managers, and Safety Engineers on when and where to install rumble strips, while minimizing the adverse 

effects for bicyclists and residents. The use of rumble strips is encouraged on all appropriate FLH projects. 

The installation of shoulder and center line rumble strips should be discussed with the Federal Land 

Management Agency (FLMA) and other partners during project scoping, or no later than the 70% design 

completion. 

Research has shown that rumble strips are an effective countermeasure for reducing the number and 

severity of roadway departure (RwD) crashes, such as single-vehicle run-off-road (SVROR), head-on, and 

opposing-sideswipe.

i

An FHWA-sponsored research project with Texas Transportation Instituteii has shown 

that rumble strips are an effective means to alert drivers and promote proper positioning within the lane. In 

addition, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has published data on the effect of 

rumble strip installation on crash reduction.

iii

Rumble strips are milled or raised patterns on the roadway pavement that produce audible and vibratory 

warning to the driver. The warning alerts the driver who may have inadvertently encroached onto the 

shoulder or crossed the centerline. A rumble strip becomes a “rumble stripe” when an edge line or center

line pavement marking is placed on the rumble strip. Both the milled and the raised rumble strips are 

recommended for use on FLH projects.

iv

 

Figure 1a. Milled Rumble Strip/Stripe Figure 1b. Raised Rumble Stripe

(Source: FHWA) (Source: http://www.contrafedpublishing.co.nz/site/

contrafed/images/Features/Rumble.jpg)

 Milled rumble strips are the most frequently used type. They are made by a machine with a rotary 

cutting head which creates a smooth, uniform, and consistent groove into the pavement. Figure 1a 

shows a milled rumble strip/stripe installation.

 Raised rumble stripes, also known as profiled rumble stripes, are 2 inches to 12 inches wide (50 mm to 

300 mm), rounded or rectangular markers or strips. Typically they are polymer resin round or

rectangular markers or strips that adhere to new or existing pavement. Because their height ranges 
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from 1⁄4 inch to 1⁄2 inch (6 mm to 13 mm), they are typically not used in snowy climates. Raised rumble 

stripes can be used in a permanent or temporary installation. Figure 1b shows a type of raised rumble 

stripe installation. 

Issues and Concerns

There are several known issues and concerns to be aware of when deciding to install rumble strips and 

rumble stripes. Consult with the Safety Engineer to determine if the issues and concerns are such that the 

installation would be inappropriate. The following are a list of common issues and concerns that apply to 

the types of roads found on FLH projects:

 Pavement performance concernsv

o Some pavement performance concerns have been identified with shoulder and center line 

rumble strips, but most appear to be minor or unwarranted. Consult with the Materials and 

Pavements unit to determine if there are unique concerns on the project that might indicate 

a different rumble strip location or design, or if they are not appropriate.

 Noise associated with rumble strips

o Rumble strips are intended to help the driver stay within the lane, so there should be little 

to no noise; however, if there is a high potential for noise, such as near frequent access 

points, campgrounds, residences, the rumble strips can be discontinued in these specific 

areas.

o Currently there are ongoing studies looking at enhanced rumble strip designs that maintain 

current in-vehicle vibration, but lower the external decibel level. Enhanced rumble strips 

may be a viable option in the near future.

 Use of rumble strips at intersections and access points

o On facilities with higher speeds, vehicles may take longer to stop or slow down to make a 

turn, and they may start moving across the shoulder rumble strips sooner than designed for. 

As a result, there may be more noise and resulting negative public reaction to the 

installation of the rumble strips.

o At private or minor approaches (like field access and residential driveways), there is less 

potential for noise related issues due to the limited number of turning vehicles. Conversely, 

near commercial areas or major approaches there is a higher potential for noise.

 Evidence of worn pavement markings

o During the scoping trip or PS&E milestone review, worn pavement markings in certain areas 

may indicate that drivers are not staying in their lane, and there might be a greater need for 

the installation of rumble strips at those locations. However, installing rumble strips in 

those areas may generate undesirable noise.

 Use of rumble strips on curve widening

o Similar to pavement marking locations, the rumble strip is to be located at the outer edge of 

the widening.
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 Cost of rumble strips

o The cost of installing rumble strips varies across the nation. Based on the length of the

installed rumble strips, recently published costs

vi of installing rumble strips vary from 10 

cents to $1.20 per linear foot (3 to 37 cents per meter) which translates to about $500 to 

$6000 per mile ($800 to $9700 per km).

Design Parameters, Guidelines, and Recommendations

The designer should consult with the Safety Engineer, Project Manager, and the FLMA or other agency 

partner to choose the appropriate location and design for the installation of rumble strips and rumble 

stripes. The following are basic design parameters, guidelines and recommendations for the designer to 

consider when preparing the plans. However, not all guidelines and recommendations are feasible for all 

types of FLH projects. As more information is gathered through research and application, these 

recommendations will be updated.

 Indicate on the construction plans the recommended rumble strip locations and gaps.

 Advance warning signs are not necessary.

 Mill the rumble strip prior to the application of a chip seal surface. Placing chip seal on top of the 

rumble strip will cause some loss in cross section; however, studies have shown that milling into the 

chip seal causes an unfavorable increase in noise and vibration.

 Milled rumble strips are commonly 8 inches and 12 inches (200 mm, or 305 mm) in width. While 

there are some applications of 4 inch and 16 inch (100 mm and 400 mm) widths, they are not 

generally suitable for the low-speed, low-volume roads found on most FLH projects. The most 

appropriate shoulder rumble strip width for FLH projects is 8 inches. The most appropriate center line 

rumble strip width for FLH projects is 12 inches, regardless of the center line pavement marking 

application. If required, indicate the width in the project SCRs.

 Raised rumble stripes are commonly 4” (100 mm) or 6” (150 mm) in width since they are installed as 

part of the pavement marking application. When considering raised rumble stripes, the designer 

should keep in mind that smaller dimensions (width and length) and greater spacing between rumbles 

are commonly associated with less alerting noise and vibration, and therefore less effectiveness.

 When installing center line rumble strips where bicyclists share the lane, maintain a minimum of 14

feet (4.3 m) of pavement from the outer edge of the center line rumble strip to the edge of the 

pavement (Figure 2a).

 When installing shoulder rumble strips in areas where bicyclists are present, maintain a minimum 

clear shoulder width of 4 feet (1.2 m). An additional 12 inches (305 mm) of width is recommended if 

the shoulder is adjacent to guardrail (Figure 2b).

 When providing a rumble strip offset, place the shoulder rumble strip a maximum of 12 inches (305 

mm) from the outer edge of the edge line pavement marking in order to provide as much room as 

possible for bicyclists to comfortably maneuver within the minimum clear shoulder area. Indicate on 

the plans the offset distance used on the project.

 For rumble stripes, mill the rumble strips prior to the installation of pavement markings.
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 Provide a gap in the center line rumble strip installation at public road intersections and major 

approach roads.

 Provide a gap in the shoulder rumble strip installation at the following locations (Figures 3a and 3b):

o 10-12 feet (3.7 m) for bicycle use after a maximum 48 feet ( 14.6 m) continuous installation,

o at least 15 feet (4.6 m) prior to the beginning of the taper for a right turn deceleration lane,

o at least 75 feet (22.9 m) prior to a pullout, mailbox turnout, or radius return of an 

intersection without a deceleration lane,

o at least 15 feet (4.6 m) beyond a pullout, mailbox turnout, or radius return of an 

intersection,

o at least 25 feet (7.6 m) prior to a minor approach, such as a driveway, and

o at least 15 feet (4.6 m) beyond a minor approach.

 Avoid the installation of rumble strips and stripes at the following locations:

o bridge deck and approach slabs,

o right turn acceleration and deceleration lanes,

o pavement less than 2 inches (50 mm) in depth (applies to milled rumble strips only),

o after pavement markings have been placed, and

o when pavement exhibits alligator and fatigue cracking, or generally in poor condition. For 

rumble strips installed on existing pavement, consult with the pavement engineer to verify a 

suitable pavement condition.
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Figure 2a. Center Line Rumble Strips Where Bicycles are Allowed

Figure 2b. Shoulder Rumble Strips Where Bicycles are Allowed
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Figure 3a. Schematic of Rumble Strip Layout at Intersections

Figure 3b. Schematic of Rumble Strip Layout at Auxiliary Lanes

(Source: Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities)

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Appropriate Installation Locations

The placement of shoulder rumble strips can be site-specific or project-wide. Examples of appropriate 

installation locations include:

 at high incident roadway departure (RwD) crash sites,

 when a minimum 11 foot lane can be maintained,

 at limited clear zone areas (steep slopes, trees, utilities, rock outcrops, etc.),

 on horizontal curves,

 on long tangent sections, and 

 at approaches to a narrow bridge.

The placement of center line rumble strips can be site-specific or project-wide. Examples of appropriate 

installation locations include:

 at high incident head-on and opposing-sideswipe crash sites,

 when a minimum of 22 feet of total pavement width can be maintained,

 along roadways with frequent horizontal curvature,

 through a continuous area; or less commonly at specific spot locations, and 

 in passing and no-passing zones.

Pay Items

63313-0000 Rumble strip (LNFT) – main pay item for center line or shoulder installation by LNFT.

63313-1000 Rumble strip, shoulder (LNFT) – pay item not commonly used. Check with Project Manager.

63314-0000 Rumble strip (MILE) – main pay item for center line or shoulder installation by MILE.

63314-1000 Rumble strip, shoulder (MILE) – pay item not commonly used. Check with Project Manager.

634 Pavement Markings – for Rumble Stripes, use the same pavement marking type (A, B, C, D, etc.) as 

indicated in the 634 Special Contract Requirement (SCR).

Applicable SCRs

Central Federal Lands: Section 633
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REFERENCES

 i

FHWA, Technical Advisories, Rumble Strips and Stripes

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/pavement/rumble_strips/index.cfm

ii Texas Transportation Institute, Studies to Determine the Operational Effects of Shoulder and Centerline Rumble Strips 

on Two-lane Undivided Roadways, The Texas A&M University System, FHWA/TX-09/0-5577-1, October, 2008.

http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5577-1.pdf

iii NCHRP Report 641, Guidance for the Design and Application of Shoulder and Centerline Rumble Strips, Transportation 

Research Board of the National Academies, 2009.

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_641.pdf

iv FHWA, Technical Advisories

v Texas Transportation Institute

vi FHWA, Frequently Asked Questions , Rumble Strips and Stripes

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/pavement/rumble_strips/faqs.cfm

vii Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, Standard Drawing T-25.00 

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwddes/dcsprecon/stddwgspages/traffic_eng.shtml