RUMBLE STRIP PILOT PROJECT

Released on November 22, 2001

Centreline rumble strips have been installed as a pilot project on Highway

11 starting at Rosthern and extending 6 km south. These strips are

designed to help improve safety on this stretch of road.



Rumble strips result in vibrations and noise that warn inattentive drivers

they are wandering from the desired traffic lane. Although used

extensively on the shoulders of newly paved highways, this pilot project

will test their effectiveness on the centreline.



"Traffic volumes have been steadily increasing on Highway 11 between

Saskatoon and Prince Albert," Highways and Transportation Minister Mark

Wartman said. "In response to safety concerns raised by Rosthern area

residents, our department has installed rumble strips to help reduce the

number of collisions on this stretch of highway."



Centreline rumble strips have been proven to reduce head-on collisions on

high-volume roadways in other jurisdictions such as Colorado, Delaware,

Oregon and Maryland. Before and after accident analysis in these states

indicates a significant reduction in head-on collisions despite an increase

in traffic volumes over the study period.



Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation will evaluate the effectiveness of

the strips by gauging public reaction and reviewing Saskatchewan Government

Insurance records over the next two years to determine whether head-on

collisions have been reduced.



"The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) of Saskatchewan fully supports

this pilot project to improve motoring and travelling conditions on Highway

11," CAA Saskatchewan Communications and Marketing Director Maureen Murray

said.



"The Saskatchewan Safety Council (SSC) has worked long and hard to help

prevent injuries and fatalities on our provincial roadways," Council

Traffic Safety Co-ordinator Randy Poole said. "We fully support

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation taking the initiative to try new

and innovative ways to reduce collisions."



The estimated cost to install these centreline rumble strips was $400/km.

The entire project, including traffic accommodation, cost approximately

$2,500.



Over the last five years, there have been seven head-on collisions between

Osler and Rosthern. In five of these accidents, the weather was clear,

road surface dry and the road conditions were normal. Centreline rumble

strips may have prevented these head-on collisions.



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For more information, contact:



Terry Schmidt

Highways and Transportation

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 933-6226