Mumble Strips

[ErmineNotyours]

The state's dilemma of safety versus noise

The above also has a link to a Minnesota study on "mumble strips," which are like rumble strips, but quieter to the community.

But wait, I thought "rumble strips" were short bursts of bumps along the width of a long road warning about an upcoming change such as a stop sign or a traffic light.  Those bumps (dips) along the side and center of the road used to be called "fog lines."  I guess there's a certain symmetry between rumble and mumble, but when did the terminology change?

[thenetwork]

And I thought mumble strips were strips of raised thermal plastic (same material used for pre-cut turning arrows or stop lines) but slightly thicker.

[MCRoads]

And I thought mumble strips were strips of raised thermal plastic (same material used for pre-cut turning arrows or stop lines) but slightly thicker.

You are referring to what I have heard called "rumble stripes" , as they are usually painted. But, I'm sure they are synonymous.

[jakeroot]

  Looks like we all have different terms! I've never heard of mumble strips, but when I think of rumble strips, I think of either the grooves perpendicular to the roadway (to warn of an upcoming hazard), or those parallel to the roadway (to warn those leaving the roadway to wake up). They obviously have a slightly different design, but I didn't think different terms existed.

[Roadsguy]

or those parallel to the roadway

When are shoulder rumble strips ever parallel? They definitely form a long line parallel to the road, but the individual strips themselves are perpendicular just like the wide ones spanning the entire lane for warning purposes.

[formulanone]

Want to say the Thruway has these in some of the spots I've traveled on last weekend; the white edge line made a gentle humming sound (akin to some types of concrete, minus the joint thump) when driving over it, and then the louder rumbles over the stripe.

[jemacedo9]

Want to say the Thruway has these in some of the spots I've traveled on last weekend; the white edge line made a gentle humming sound (akin to some types of concrete, minus the joint thump) when driving over it, and then the louder rumbles over the stripe.

I think it's the same for the dashed white lines between lanes in some cases on I-390...I've noticed that. Like it's a thicker paint that actually makes a slight noise. But I don't know specifically what it is.

[seicer]

Based on some recent repavings in New York, it looks like they grind down (with a diamond grinder) areas where the markings will go - for the fog lines and center markings. But it looks like paint that's applied, not thermoplastic.

[jakeroot]

or those parallel to the roadway

When are shoulder rumble strips ever parallel? They definitely form a long line parallel to the road, but the individual strips themselves are perpendicular just like the wide ones spanning the entire lane for warning purposes.

Parallel layout, not literally parallel grooves. All grooves are perpendicular, otherwise you wouldn't really feel them. But their layout is either parallel or perpendicular to the road, depending on the situation.

[GaryV]

Maybe car's horns are too noisy as well?

And on the slightly ironic note, an ad embedded in the story when I read it was for a power lawn mower.  Noise, anyone?   

[roadman65]

PennDOT used to use a set on PA 39 approaching Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, PA.  I remember my parents getting the shit scared out of them when the sounds came up (and they were loud too).   I guess that was a problem intersection to give the warnings as most places like in Delaware warned drivers of the toll plaza near Newark or at 180 degree turns in other PA parts.   I believe the north end of the PA Turnpike NE Extension had them in Clark's Summit before the freeways curves into the toll plaza there too, but as I was there in 2012 they were gone.

FDOT had wimpy ones at the north end of SR 407 near Titusville to warn motorists the super two came to an end at SR 407.  They were light sounds compared to Delaware and Pennsylvania with their super loud rumple strips.

[myosh_tino]

In California, rumble strips are indentations made in the pavement and are typically located to the right of the solid white line separating the travel lanes from the right shoulder, to the left of the solid yellow line separating the travel lanes from the left shoulder (on divided roads) or on the double yellow lines on undivided roads.

The dashed white lines with integrated "bumps" are not used in California AFAIK.  Lane lines are either botts dots (which will eventually disappear on state-maintained roads) or paint/thermoplastic striping.

[GenExpwy]

Want to say the Thruway has these in some of the spots I've traveled on last weekend; the white edge line made a gentle humming sound (akin to some types of concrete, minus the joint thump) when driving over it, and then the louder rumbles over the stripe.

I think it's the same for the dashed white lines between lanes in some cases on I-390...I've noticed that. Like it's a thicker paint that actually makes a slight noise. But I don't know specifically what it is.

I assume you're talking about the section of I-390 between Steuben County and exit 6. That was done when the Steuben-to-5 section was repaved several years ago.

Based on some recent repavings in New York, it looks like they grind down (with a diamond grinder) areas where the markings will go - for the fog lines and center markings. But it looks like paint that's applied, not thermoplastic.

I think it's just to reduce wearing of the paint; the noise is too faint to have any warning value. Even when those grinds were new, you pretty much had to make a special effort to listen for them.

[jemacedo9]

Want to say the Thruway has these in some of the spots I've traveled on last weekend; the white edge line made a gentle humming sound (akin to some types of concrete, minus the joint thump) when driving over it, and then the louder rumbles over the stripe.

I think it's the same for the dashed white lines between lanes in some cases on I-390...I've noticed that. Like it's a thicker paint that actually makes a slight noise. But I don't know specifically what it is.

I assume you’re talking about the section of I-390 between Steuben County and exit 6. That was done when the Steuben-to-5 section was repaved several years ago.

Based on some recent repavings in New York, it looks like they grind down (with a diamond grinder) areas where the markings will go - for the fog lines and center markings. But it looks like paint that's applied, not thermoplastic.

I think it’s just to reduce wearing of the paint; the noise is too faint to have any warning value. Even when those grinds were new, you pretty much had to make a special effort to listen for them.

Yes and yes...I am talking about that section, and yes, the noise is very faint...definitely only noticeable without any other noise around.

[formulanone]

Want to say the Thruway has these in some of the spots I've traveled on last weekend; the white edge line made a gentle humming sound (akin to some types of concrete, minus the joint thump) when driving over it, and then the louder rumbles over the stripe.

I think it's the same for the dashed white lines between lanes in some cases on I-390...I've noticed that. Like it's a thicker paint that actually makes a slight noise. But I don't know specifically what it is.

I assume you're talking about the section of I-390 between Steuben County and exit 6. That was done when the Steuben-to-5 section was repaved several years ago.

Based on some recent repavings in New York, it looks like they grind down (with a diamond grinder) areas where the markings will go - for the fog lines and center markings. But it looks like paint that's applied, not thermoplastic.

I think it's just to reduce wearing of the paint; the noise is too faint to have any warning value. Even when those grinds were new, you pretty much had to make a special effort to listen for them.

Yes and yes...I am talking about that section, and yes, the noise is very faint...definitely only noticeable without any other noise around.

I definitely heard it amongst the sounds of Ill Communication on I-90 between Syracuse and Utica.

Might not have been intentional, but just a teensy bit noticeable, and I can't say I've experienced that before.