Introduction
We've turned this edition over to the Maine DOT. With great results, we think.
Doug Gayne, Maine DOT Product Evaluation Coordinator, had recently invited us to demonstrate RoadQuake™ at the DOT. He then wrote a report for his colleagues, and has very graciously allowed us to publish it.
Doug also sent us video that his colleague, Cal Yeaton, Photographer in the DOT Office of Communications, shot that day.
Watch the Maine DOT demo video right here.
And now, here's Doug's report.....
|
MaineDOT RoadQuake Rumble Strip Demo
April 14, 2009
 by Doug Gayne, Maine DOT
Tim Cox of Plastic Safety Systems, Inc. was here to introduce his company's RoadQuake™ product to MaineDOT. Several Department employees were on hand for the demonstration, including Regional Traffic Engineers from across the State.
The site chosen for the demonstration was the perimeter road at MaineDOT's Region 2 Office located in Augusta's Central Maine Commerce Center. The rumble strip arrays were placed only on the outer lane of the two lane road, in case a motorist wished to avoid driving over the strips during the demo.
The Installation
Tim and his two helpers set up three groups of three strips each on the outermost lane of the road. The strips were delivered flat on a trailer and then carried into position. Ergonomic handles are conveniently molded into the units on either end. Definitely a two person job to work safely!
 Each polymer strip weighs 105 pounds, and is 11 feet in length, which will span the width of a travel lane in most applications. The units are 12 inches wide and 13/16" thick, with a bevel on one edge, intended to be on the approach side of the strips. The bevel is intended to allow motorcycles to safely pass over the strips. The units have a non-slip textured surface, and are laid directly on the pavement.
No adhesives or fasteners are used.
Another way suggested to move the units is to fold the strip over once and then have one person lift by the handles on one end and by the loop on the other. The units are so flexible that they may also be rolled up. In fact, this is how the units are typically delivered by the manufacturer. Maintenance crews and contractors will need to try different methods to find what works best in real world situations.
The locations of the arrays were chosen with an eye toward somewhat solid pavement, with a minimal amount of debris and winter sand on the surface and on a relatively level grade. As Tim pointed out, "the units stay in place pretty well on pavement but not on sand." On the other hand, this road was not untypical of conditions our workers will encounter out on our highways where these units will ultimately be used. It was also noted that because the units are quite pliable, they conform closely to the cross profile of the lane. 
You can see the wheel ruts in the photo on the right.
Observations
To test the effectiveness of the strips, several passenger vehicles and a MaineDOT Wheeler (Snowplow/Dump truck) were driven over the units at varying speeds. For the most part, vehicles were travelling over the units at approximately 20 to 30 miles per hour.
Drivers reported that they could feel and hear the strips, but said that it did not impair their steering or control of their vehicle in any way. To observers, the rumble was clearly audible. The rumble may well be a critical cue to workers within the zone to warn of approaching traffic.
It will be interesting to note on an actual work zone application how effective the units are in slowing down vehicles. According to the manufacturer, their tests indicated a reduction in speeds of 5-10 mph. Spacing between the strips is still being studied for effectiveness.
Conclusion
No appreciable signs of movement of the strips were detected by observers with any of the vehicles used in the demo.
As a result of this demo it appears that, with reasonable care in selecting the location of the rumble strip, and minimal prep to the surface, the units should have very little movement. Any movement that does occur could be taken care of by the work crews with minimal effort, while the work zone is in place.
These units may well be an excellent safety enhancement to a temporary work zone and they should definitely get the attention of drivers.
Doug Gayne, MaineDOT
| |
Post-script
Many thanks to Doug Gayne and Cal Yeaton of MaineDOT for their contributions.
We welcome the opportunity to test and demonstrate RoadQuake in more locations and environments.
For more information, or a demonstration, please contact Tim Cox, our Product Manager for Roadquake.
You can reach Tim at:
We hope you have found this newsletter informative. Please call or write us at the contact information below with any comments you may have.
|
"On the Roadway for Safety"®
|
|
|
|
|
| Demo
Quick Facts
Date: April 14, 2009
Location: Augusta, Maine
Contact: Doug Gayne, Maine DOT
Roadway: perimeter road at Region 2
Array Pattern: 3 sets of 3 each RoadQuake rumble strips
|
For A Live Test / Demo
Contact Tim Cox
216-244-3207 timcox@comcast.net
 | |
