MnDOT Looking At New, Lower Noise Rumble Strip Design

If you happen to live near a highway here in Minnesota that is equipped with rumble strips and are annoyed by the loud noise they create, MnDOT might have a answer for you.

BringMeTheNews.com reports that MnDOT, who's been receiving noise complaints from homeowners who live near highways with rumble strips, is looking at a new design that is apparently just as effective at warning drivers in their vehicles, but yet creates much less noise on the highway.

The story notes the difference is in the pattern used to the 'cut' the rumble strips into the pavement. The new version, in use in California, employs a different design that's much less loud, but yet is still effective in alerting the driver of the vehicle that passes over them.

My wife and I live near Highway-14, just west of West Circle Drive here in Rochester, and I can tell you that the rumble strips along the shoulders of that stretch are, indeed, loud. They aren't so loud, though, that we've complained to MnDOT, but if there's a new design that would be just as effective in warning drivers without being as noisy, I'd be for all for it. Check out this video: