The complete article appeared in Travel Awaits on July 4, 2021. This post highlights the three places in America that have a musical road.
'Musical
roads are created from strips or grooves on roads that make sounds when a car
crosses them. Rumble strips are used to alert drivers that they’re getting too
close to the edge of their lanes. The other kind, transverse strips, cross the
entire road and are used to signal drivers to slow down. It wasn’t long before
enterprising individuals realized that it doesn’t have to be noise that would
alert drivers. In fact, varying the length and distance of the strips or
grooves from each other can often create melodies when cars roll over them.
Such music will not only alert but also entertain drivers as well as their
passengers."
1. Lancaster, California: sings the “William Tell Overture” when we drove over it at a steady 50 miles per hour.
"Originally
built on Avenue K on September 5, 2008, it was paved over just 18 days later
after nearby residents complained about the level of noise. The city recreated
it on October 15 on Avenue G, in the far left lane of the westbound side of the
road, 2 miles farther away from any residence. It is named after Honda Civic, the
brand that sponsored and featured it in its commercials at the time. The rhythm
is recognizable, but the intervals are a little too far off so the resemblance
is slight. Still, the experience is exhilarating. It thrilled us no end, so we
drove over it several times!"
2. Tijeras, New Mexico:
"Labeled NM (or Route) 333, it is a bit hard to find but we finally did, between miles 4 and 5, eastbound on a two-lane diversionary
stretch of the historic U.S. Route 66 just off I-40 near the town of Tijeras,
New Mexico. This one...was so clear, and the song is so classically
inspiring that we also drove through it again and again and again!"
However, it is not being maintained. "It is quite sad
that politics may have interfered. The road still sings, so catch it while it
hasn’t totally faded!"
3. Auburn, Alabama:
This was built by an alumnus of
Auburn University’s College of Engineering in Alabama. "The section of South Donahue Drive has been renamed the “War Eagle
Road.” With support from Auburn University and the National Center for Asphalt
Technology, it welcomes both fans and rivals of the team when they are
approaching the campus. Unlike the one in New Mexico, this musical road is a
permanent fixture."
There are 43 more roads outside of the US: "one in Denmark, another in Hungary, three in South Korea, three in China, one in Iran, one in San Marino, one in Taiwan, one in Indonesia, and 30 in Japan. A previous musical road in the Netherlands has been removed." This was the original musical road dubbed the “Asphaltophone.” But it's Japan which has had great success with them. One is near Mt. Fuji. It's time to visit Japan again!
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Wooow this is absolutely amazing!!! And have never heard or seen it before. For
ReplyDeleteSomeone to have created and made these parts
Of road that sing so Genius. Think
They should definitely do more.
Japan definitely knows how to use them!
DeleteJapan definitely knows how to use them!
DeleteMusical roads can prevent people from dozing while driving. Brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's the reason they were invented!
DeleteThis is amazing! I never heard of this before. Alabama is a reasonable road trip from Florida, where I am. I will have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteWow go ahead!
DeleteI've never heard of this. Sounds quite impressive - sounds on various levels ;-) Really inspiring post - too bad I'm not driving ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't drive either but my husband took me there!
DeleteI had never come across this idea of musical roads, using rumble strips to make a musical experience for drivers. What fun! I pulled up videos of the ones you mention and they sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
DeleteWow, I have never heard of this before. This seems really interesting that a highway would sing songs when you drive at a certain speed. I am sure this will be helpful for people to prevent accidents by dozing off. I hope I can experience it someday in America.
ReplyDeleteJapan has more!!!
DeleteI love the idea of taking a musical road to alert drivers. I had no idea about creating this type of road. I add it to my list! I would like to drive to Tijeras, New Mexico to check it.
ReplyDeleteI hope it us still ok. That was the best tune!
DeleteWhat an amazing way to make drivers lower their speed and drive carefully. I would love to experience some of these highways, and hear music when I drive over them. That is such an ingenious idea!
ReplyDeleteHope you experience one. It was thrilling!
DeleteWow! This sounds fascinating. I had no idea there is such a thing but I think it's a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteYes it is!!! Japan has made good use of the idea.
DeleteI have never heard of this and find it fascinating. What a creative way to alert drivers! I'll be heading back to LA this year and while I'm out there, I might take a little road trip to Lancaster to hear the William Tell Overture! That's so cool.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!!!
DeleteThe songs are designed to delight drivers while simultaneously reminding them to drive safely. Whoever came up with the concept for this musical highway is a genius! How I hope this could be done on other routes throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteJapan is making the most use if the concept!
DeleteThe songs are designed to delight drivers while simultaneously reminding them to drive safely. Whoever came up with the concept for this musical highway is a genius! How I hope this could be done on other routes throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of musical roads again. I also would like to visit Japan to hear them.
ReplyDeleteYes, Japan is the best place!
DeleteI had no idea this was a thing but sounds like a great idea! Great that you have managed to experience some.
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky my sister transferred near one!
DeleteWow! I've heard of these musical highway steps but never experienced one. That is so cool!! That would have been very entertaining for my kids when we took road trips!
ReplyDeleteOh we crossed them several times!!!
DeleteThis was fascinating. I never heard of rumble strips that actually played a tune. We will have to make notes of these spots and listen well if we are in those areas.
ReplyDeleteI sought the 2!
Delete