Mitigating Distracted Driving

The scourge of distracted driving is not limited to any one demographic group or nation. It is global and affects every victim and victims’ families. This dire situation, caused largely by technology such as texting, requires technological solutions, including new traffic safety countermeasures. The transverse rumble strip, a countermeasure reinvented in 2009 as the temporary portable rumble strip, is already proving a significant, innovative addition to work zone safety processes and procedures. This device is designed to reduce accidents and save lives by alerting drivers to changing road conditions. Our presentation will show and discuss design criteria of the temporary portable rumble strip, how the device alerts drivers, work zone applications in which to install temporary rumble strips, and specifications from governing agencies. Attendees will learn effective methods to reduce work zone accidents, techniques to reduce drivers’ speeds in work zones, and how to include the temporary portable rumble strip in design plans and specifications. The installation of RoadQuake 2 temporary portable rumble strip on I-65 in northwest Indiana in fall 2013 will be used as an example.