What are Rumble Strips?

Rumble strips are grooves or rows of raised pavement markers placed perpendicular to the direction of travel to alert inattentive drivers.  As a vehicle passes over the rumble strips, noise and vibration are produced, alerting the driver they are approaching a hazard.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) currently uses Roadway Rumble Strips and Shoulder Rumble Strips (SRS) as a matter of policy.  We are also experimenting with Centerline Rumble Strips in a few locations.

• Roadway rumble strips are placed across the traveled way to alert drivers approaching a change of roadway condition or a hazard that requires substantial speed reduction or other maneuvering.

• Shoulder rumble strips are placed on the shoulders just beyond the traveled way to warn drivers they are entering a part of the roadway not intended for routine traffic use.  WSDOT uses milled-in SRS as their standard design.

• Centerline Rumble Strips are placed on centerline of undivided highways to warn drivers they are leaving their intended lane of travel. 

Note:  The pictures are thumbnails, click on them for a larger image.

View the Rumble Strip Website

Contact Information

Dave Olson, Design Policy, Standards, and Research Manager
Design Policy & Standards @wsdot.wa.gov
360-705-7952  FAX: 360-705-6815
Washington State Department of Transportation Design Office
PO Box 47329
Olympia, WA 98504-7329

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