20.5 Motorcycle Safety During Construction
20.5.1 Pavement
During construction, contractors may not maintain existing or temporary pavement surfaces to the same extent that permanent pavement surfaces are maintained. Existing pavement defects such as rutting, potholes, cracks, and “tar snakes”, which are a temporary repair for cracks, can cause the motorcycle operator to lose control. During construction, a contractor may leave milled pavement or vertical asphalt edges that can present risks. Milling machines with smaller teeth that provide for a smoother surface can be specified. Details can require asphalt edges of 1V:3H or flatter.
20.5.2 Construction Maintenance
Debris and dust that might not pose a risk to cars and trucks can be risky to motorcycles. Loose rocks can strike motorcycle operators, dust can obscure vision, and mud from construction vehicles leaving the construction zone and entering pavement can cause friction loss between the motorcycle and the pavement.