Audio-tactile road markings Transformative innovation

 

Over the past decade, however, Pragati Pavetech has been instrumental in demonstrating that engineered machines, paired with robust materials, can withstand India’s climatic extremes—from scorching plains to high-altitude terrains. The company’s pioneering role has reshaped perceptions and established ATRM as a world-class, durable and scalable safety solution.”

— Dr. Nitin Nakhat

Dr. Nitin Nakhat, Managing Director, Pragati Pavetech Pvt. Ltd, is recognized as an authority in pavement-marking innovation with more than two decades of global expertise. He has executed projects across Asia, the Middle East and Africa and contributed to international knowledge exchange, conference papers and technical collaborations. He shares this opinion piece with TrafficInfratech.

With nations like India accelerating the expansion of expressways, arterial highways and mountainous corridors, the paradigm of road safety is entering a more complex era. Conventional painted lines offer visual reference, yet on high-speed or topographically challenging routes, visual dependence alone proves insufficient. Here, audio-tactile road markings (ATRM)—popularly termed rumble strips or raised-profile markings—emerge as a next-generation safety intervention, engaging drivers through both sound and tactile sensation.

Expressways symbolize efficiency, but they also incubate vulnerabilities: driver drowsiness, inattentiveness, and unintended lane drift. International research identifies these as critical precursors to high-speed crashes.

ATRM counteracts these risks by delivering dual sensory cues—audible vibration and steering-wheel feedback—triggered the moment a vehicle departs from its lane. Unlike signboards or illumination, ATRM is independent of visibility, performing reliably during nighttime journeys or adverse climatic conditions. In India’s rapidly urbanizing expressway ecosystem, this technology is now recognized as a high-impact safeguard against run-off-road and head-on collisions.

In mountainous geographies, the stakes rise dramatically. Acute hairpins, blind curves, steep gradients and volatile weather amplify risk, where a single misjudgement may result in catastrophic consequences. Strategically deployed ATRM acts as a perpetual alert mechanism, particularly in fog, rainfall or low-light conditions. Placement ahead of treacherous bends, precipitous descents and blind spots continuously stimulates driver attentiveness. Global case studies—from alpine Europe to the highlands of Southeast Asia—validate ATRM as a proven deterrent to fatigue-driven or miscalculated maneuvers.

The efficacy of ATRM extends beyond conceptual design; it is contingent upon flawless execution. Outdated push-type manual applicators are slow, labour-intensive and prone to irregular profiles that dilute safety performance. Conversely, self-propelled automatic marking machines guarantee precision, uniformity and efficiency. They apply thermoplastic profiles with calibrated spacing and height, ensuring the intended acoustic and tactile resonance. Moreover, they significantly reduce workforce exposure to live traffic. For modern infrastructure ecosystems, transitioning from manual to mechanized application is not merely advisable—it is an irrefutable necessity.

True road safety transcends the mere construction of wide or smooth pavements—it demands design intelligence that anticipates human behaviour and minimizes risk. ATRMs stand as a scientifically validated, low-maintenance and high-return interventions for preventing crashes on expressways and mountain roads alike. Their optimal impact is realized only when deployed with precision-driven, self-propelled machinery. As nations scale their mobility networks, the systematic integration of ATRM will represent a landmark stride toward safer, more resilient and future-ready transportation systems.