Published: 1 March 2012 | Category: Safety, security and public health , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General
The research identified how the physical noise and vibration generated by traversing ATP roadmarkings was influenced by the properties of the roadmarkings, such as their height, width and pitch, as well as by other factors, such as vehicle speed. The research established the relationship of human response to the noise and vibration generated. The physical effects of traversing ATP roadmarkings were determined by measuring the noise (using sound level meters) and vibration (using accelerometers) inside the vehicle while the vehicle traversed a special test strip of ATP roadmarkings, the profiles of which were machined mainly from wood, or from plastic.
The driver-response was investigated as a threshold effect via a laboratory-based driving simulation. Participants were played noise effects in controlled conditions from a vehicle driving over different ATP block heights between 2mm and 6mm, and from a vehicle on the road only. The accuracy of participants in distinguishing between road-only noise and ATP roadmarking noise was assessed using signal detection theory while the participant completed a distracter task (Stroop task; Stroop 1935) designed to replicate the cognitive demands of driving. The overall threshold block height was found to be between 3mm and 4mm.
Keywords: audio tactile profiled (ATP) roadmarkings, driver-response to roadmarkings, noise and vibration from roadmarkings, road safety, roadmarkings, rumble strips
