Skip to main content

Evonik helps rumble strips prevent wrong-way driving

Each year in Germany, up to 80 accidents are caused by drivers on the wrong side of the road, of which many are on- and off-ramps to a main highway. To prevent this, a pilot test has been devised to alert drivers to their wrong-way direction. Cold plastic, one-sided rumble strips are being installed on the road surface within a 100cm-wide by 2cm-deep recessed groove across the lane. The specially shaped cold plastic coating with an uneven, rough bulge gives drivers a strong tactile and acoustic signal, aler
December 11, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Each year in Germany, up to 80 accidents are caused by drivers on the wrong side of the road, of which many are on- and off-ramps to a main highway

To prevent this, a pilot test has been devised to alert drivers to their wrong-way direction. Cold plastic, one-sided rumble strips are being installed on the road surface within a 100cm-wide by 2cm-deep recessed groove across the lane.

The specially shaped cold plastic coating with an uneven, rough bulge gives drivers a strong tactile and acoustic signal, alerting them of the hazard situation. But drivers who are driving in the correct direction will notice only a slight bump in the road.

A prototype was tested on the former military airbase in Rothenburg, a town in Germany’s Upper Lusatia region and close to the Polish border.

A 32m-long test route consisting of five strips was set up. For the diagonal markings, a cold plastic material developed from Limboplast, made by 4009 Evonik Industdries, especially for applying to the grooves in the road surface.

Limboplast for rumble strips is based on 1659 Degaroute from 337 Swarco Limburger Lackfabrik, said Jochen Henkels, business director for road marking and flooring at Evonik.

The hard, abrasion-resistant material will also protect the road surface where the rumble strips are applied and the edges formed by the cutting process against premature wear and tear.

A second test track will soon be set up, he said. It takes three to four hours to install the system that will likely cost around €3,500 for each junction.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Evonik’s Degaroute boosts Medellin cycle path safety
    January 25, 2017
    Across Latin America, a region known for its chaotic driving and dense traffic jams, a growing number of commuters are doing the unthinkable - ditching their cars for bicycles City leaders and cycling advocates in Latin America have recently been focusing on the development of sustainable urban design that improves cyclist. Hundreds of kilometres of bike lanes are being laid out and cyclists are getting favourable loans to purchase bikes. There are even innovative bike-share systems. One city enhancin
  • Right ways to deter wrong-way
    November 11, 2020
    After a pilot programme, California’s Caltrans is reviewing its highway design standards
  • Improved roadmarkings will boost roadway safety for users
    February 19, 2013
    An Innovative road marking system helping to boost public transport in a major South American city, and road marking analytic technology robust enough to withstand damage in heavy rain are among products examined by Guy Woodford . DEGAROUTE Methacylate (MMA) cold plastic area markings from Evonik Industries are being used as part of efforts to improve the public transport system in Santiago, Chile. By adding red pigment to the DEGAROUTE binder, distinctive and long-lasting red-coloured bus lanes are being c
  • Responsive roadsign developed by student
    August 22, 2013
    A UK student hopes his new lenticular road signs which ‘pulse’ at drivers will lead to a revolution in the way motorists are given information on the roads. Meanwhile, a leading road marking firm is helping keep tourists safe in a spiritually significant town in Umbria, Italy. Guy Woodford reports You may think Charles Gale’s vision of creating the first ‘pulsing’ lenticular road sign was the result of months, even years, spent studying traffic and driver behaviour on the roads of his adopted student c