Riding In Construction Zones - Know The Issues
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It's important that all motorists—including bikers—slow down and follow all road signs in construction zones. However, even when they obey traffic laws and ride cautiously, motorcyclists may be at risk.
Hidden hazards and small discrepancies in road surface can throw a biker off balance and cause him to lose control. As roads are repaired and rebuilt, driving lanes are shifted and narrowed. Travel lanes can be uneven and have gaps or ledges. Often motorists must drive on unfinished surfaces, which can be rough or slick. While most cars can manage these conditions safely at a reduced speed, these changes can be dangerous for motorcycles. With only two wheels that are smaller than car and truck wheels, even a small gap can cause a motorcycle to spin out.
According to the Roadway Safety Consortium, the following road surfaces found in construction zones are dangerous for motorcycles:
For bikers, any change to the road's surface could mean serious consequences. Since construction zones roads are constantly changing, it's important to keep an eye out for the following road hazards:
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Construction Accidents?
Any construction zone is potentially dangerous, but the ones on the highway are especially deadly because of the high speeds vehicles are moving at. Some of the common dangers that construction zones pose for motorcycle riders include:
Types of Hazards
Motorcyclists and bicyclists are especially affected by degradations in pavement and temporary changes in roadway geometrics. Although these types of conditions can occur on any roadway, independent of whether work is in progress, these conditions tend to develop more frequently in work zones, where work activity has altered the conditions and usage patterns of the existing roadway. Concerns for motorcyclists and bicyclists in work zones typically fall into one of four major categories:
• degradations in roadway pavement surface quality;
• degradations in pavement friction;
• pavement discontinuities and abrupt elevation changes;
• degradations in roadway geometrics.1
Degradations in Roadway Pavement Surface Quality
Motorcycles and bicycles are much lighter than typical automobiles and have only two wheels in contact with the pavement. Consequently, pavement surface quality has a greater effect on their handling and stability properties. Work zone situations that reduce pavement surface quality include the following:
• Longitudinal grooves from pavement milling – The grooves left after pavement milling cause instability for motorcyclists and bicyclists, which can contribute to loss of control.
• Unpaved or gravel surfaces – These surfaces are uneven and provide much lower friction/traction. Therefore, these surfaces can cause loss of control, especially depending on the speeds at which the motorcyclists and bicyclists are traveling when they encounter these surfaces.
• Rough and broken pavement sections – Similar to unpaved or gravel pavement sections, rough and broken pavement sections, bumps, potholes, etc. can all contribute to control problems for motorcyclists and bicyclists.
• Longitudinal or lateral rumble strips – Traveling on or across rumble strips is undesirable for both motorcyclists and bicyclists, which is why many agencies make provisions for riders to avoid running over them either by leaving gaps between wheel paths (for transverse rumble strips) or by placing them beyond the edge line of the roadway (for longitudinal rumble strips). Many construction activities, however, require temporary shifts in traffic that can place rumble strips in the travel path of motorcyclists and bicyclists. This same concern also arises for bicyclists when the traffic shift is such that drainage grates are in their altered travel path.
Degradations in Pavement Friction
Conditions which reduce pavement friction in work zones are of particular concern to motorcyclists and bicyclists. Common examples are provided in the following paragraphs:
• Loose gravel, sand, or soil – Loose gravel, sand or soil can re-main in the vehicle travel path after a chip or sand seal project if the roadway is not swept properly. Spills of these materials from haul (dump) trucks or as a result of sandblasting operations into travel paths can also occur. Material washed from the roadside onto the pavement after a heavy rain is another contributor. Loose gravel, sand, or soil can contribute to a loss of motorcycle and bicycle control.
• Liquids on the pavement surface – Some work zone operations, if not properly controlled, (e.g., misting newly-placed concrete or spraying in front of brooms for dust control) can cause water overspray to land on travel lanes. This water can contribute to loss of control for motorcyclists and bicyclists and needs to be mitigated. Additionally, locations next to temporary barriers that do not drain adequately and leave puddles in the travel path after a rain shower can be problematic for these riders. Therefore, these areas should be checked frequently and proper drainage should be maintained at all times.2
• Blackout tape within the travel path – Blackout tape is commonly used to cover old or conflicting markings within work zones. As the travel patterns change to accommodate the work environment, this blackout tape will commonly be applied so that it is crossing or running longitudinally in the travel path. With time and wear, the surface friction of the blackout tape can be reduced to a point where it becomes a hazard for motorcyclists and bicyclists traveling across this surface. Therefore, blackout tape should be periodically checked and replaced when necessary to prevent this hazard.
• Large pavement markings – Lane pavement markings (e.g., arrows, text and route shields) are being used more extensively on high-volume roads to better guide motorists regarding appropriate lane choices for upcoming exits during major interchange reconstruction. Unfortunately, in wet weather, these materials can also be quite slippery for motorcycle riders. Problems occur when these markings are placed within horizontal curves, start and stop points, or other locations where riders are leaning and placing increased friction forces between tires and pavement.
• Steel plates – Steel plates are commonly used temporarily to cover excavations or large holes in the pavement and allow traffic to use the lane when work activities are not occurring. These plates can become very slippery in wet or icy weather and can be a significant hazard to both motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Pavement Discontinuities and Abrupt Elevation Changes
• Uneven lanes – Milling, asphalt paving, and other work activities can create a height difference between adjacent lanes. Whereas automobiles can generally maintain control when crossing lanes that differ in height as much as 2 to 3 inches, motorcycles and bi-cycles have difficulties crossing uneven lanes that differ as little as1 inch in height. Abrupt changes in height (i.e., with a near vertical lip) are particularly challenging to traverse and can lead to a loss of control.
• Loose or rough bridge and pavement joints – Repairs to approach slabs for bridges or other joint repair activities can create transverse elevation differences at those joints. At intersections in urban areas, sidewalk detours or temporary shifts may put access at a location without a curb cut. While problematic for disabled pedestrians, such a practice could create a hazard for an approaching bicyclist who is anticipating that a ramp is available.
• Steel plates – Although usually an inch or less in thickness, steel plates can also cause control problems for riders impacting the edge or attempting to cross the plate laterally from the longitudinal edge. 3
• Manholes, drainage appurtenances, etc. – Milling activities around manhole covers, water main access points, drainage structures, etc. can leave these devices slightly elevated relative to the milled travel surface. Even if these discontinuities can be easily traversed by vehicles with four wheels, they present a substantial hazard to motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Degradations in Roadway Geometrics
• Travel lane alignment shifts – To keep the capacity of a work zone as high as feasible, travel lanes will often be temporarily re-positioned within a given footprint of the roadway paved surface. When transportation professionals are making decisions regarding this type of shift, they need to be conscious of travel lane edge features that may now be placed in a travel path of a motorcycle or bicycle (e.g., edge line rumble strips, raised pavement markers, drainage grates).
• Elimination of bike‐only lanes – Some arterials in urban areas have a dedicated bicycle lane to separate automobile and bicycle traffic. Lateral constraints in a work zone can require that the lane be temporarily closed, causing bicycles to share the lane with auto-mobiles. This can surprise local drivers who normally do not expects lower speed bicycle traffic in their lane, cause disruptions, and lead to an increase in crashes involving bicyclists.
Through it all, caution, situational awareness, speed (or lack of), and having confidence in your ability, training, and experience will help you to navigate Construction Zones with the least amount of issues.
And remember to always Ride Skilled + Ride Smart = Ride Safe
It's important that all motorists—including bikers—slow down and follow all road signs in construction zones. However, even when they obey traffic laws and ride cautiously, motorcyclists may be at risk.
Hidden hazards and small discrepancies in road surface can throw a biker off balance and cause him to lose control. As roads are repaired and rebuilt, driving lanes are shifted and narrowed. Travel lanes can be uneven and have gaps or ledges. Often motorists must drive on unfinished surfaces, which can be rough or slick. While most cars can manage these conditions safely at a reduced speed, these changes can be dangerous for motorcycles. With only two wheels that are smaller than car and truck wheels, even a small gap can cause a motorcycle to spin out.
According to the Roadway Safety Consortium, the following road surfaces found in construction zones are dangerous for motorcycles:
- Grooves from pavement milling. These long grooves cause instability for motorcycles and can contribute to loss of control.
- Unpaved or gravel surfaces. These surfaces are uneven and offer poor traction. They can cause problems for motorcycles, including skidding and loss of control.
- Rumble strips. Bikers try to avoid rumble strips on pavement, as they can throw off a rider’s balance. However, when they're used to warn motorists to slow down for a construction zone, they often come up unexpectedly and can't be avoided.
- Liquids on pavement surface. Construction operations can create puddles in the roadway, creating slick surfaces for motorcycles.
- Blackout tape. Blackout tape may be used to cover old or confusing lane markers. Over time, the surface of the tape becomes worn and loses friction, which may cause motorcycle tires to slip and the rider to lose control.
- Large pavement markings. Arrows, text, and route shields affixed to travel lanes become slick and hazardous in wet weather, creating a hazard for motorcycles.
- Steel plates. Large steel plates may be used to temporarily cover excavations or large holes in pavement and allow travel in the lane when workers aren't present. In wet or icy weather, these surfaces are hazardous to motorcycles.
- Uneven lanes. Asphalt paving can create a height difference between adjacent lanes of travel. Unlike cars, motorcycles have difficulty crossing uneven lanes that differ by as little one inch. Abrupt changes in height are particularly challenging for bikers.
- Manhole covers. As road workers build the layers of pavement, manhole covers remain exposed and elevated, creating an obstacle that can cause a biker to be thrown out of his seat.
- Travel lane alignment shifts. As travel lanes shift back and forth to allow for road rebuilding, motorcyclists must cross edges, lane markers, rumble strips, drainage grates, and other hazards they wouldn’t ordinarily have to drive over.
For bikers, any change to the road's surface could mean serious consequences. Since construction zones roads are constantly changing, it's important to keep an eye out for the following road hazards:
- Rocks, debris, or loose gravel in the road
- Drop-offs and uneven pavement
- Exposed manhole covers
- Shifting lanes
- Pooling water
- Traffic stopping suddenly
- Workers near the road
- Areas without shoulders
- And more
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Construction Accidents?
Any construction zone is potentially dangerous, but the ones on the highway are especially deadly because of the high speeds vehicles are moving at. Some of the common dangers that construction zones pose for motorcycle riders include:
- Loose gravel and debris. Loose gravel and debris can make handling a motorcycle much more challenging. If motorcyclists are not especially attentive, they can lose control of their bike. Crashes can also occur when trying to navigate around gravel and debris often found in road construction zones.
- Poor road conditions and drop-offs. Unfinished paving and steel plates sometimes used to cover holes can make the roadway slippery. In addition, potholes, uneven pavement, or drop-offs on the edges of the pavement can be much more treacherous for a motorcycle to navigate than a passenger vehicle.
- Pooled water. Puddles of water can be common in construction zones and can hide other dangers such as potholes, manhole covers, and debris that can increase the likelihood of a motorcycle crash.
- Road barriers. Road barriers in construction work areas are designed to protect passenger vehicles, not motorcyclists. When motorcycle riders crash into road barriers during a crash, they can suffer serious injuries—such as amputations—especially when the barriers are made of wire.
- Tailgating. Impatient drivers who tailgate in construction zones are a special danger to motorcyclists who could be thrown off their bike in a rear-end collision when the tailgating vehicle has insufficient time to slow down or stop.
- Distracted driving. Drivers who have their minds and eyes on a cell phone, their GPS, or food and drink are a danger to all motorists—including motorcycle riders—in a road construction area.
- Speeding. A speeding driver in a construction zone can easily rear-end a motorcyclist and cause devastating injuries or death when he does not have sufficient time to react to the congestion and sudden stops common in work zones.
- Road shifts and merging lanes. Merging properly and following traffic shifts can become dangerous if other drivers are driving aggressively, such as by trying to cut off the motorcycle rider or following too closely behind him.
- Construction workers. Inexperienced road construction workers could be working too close to the temporary road where vehicles are traveling, or improperly directing traffic. This can cause a motorcyclist trying to avoid them to find himself in a crash.
- Improper road signs. Road construction workers and municipalities must put up sufficient signs warning motorcyclists and other motorists of upcoming construction zones, merging lanes, speed limits, and other dangers that road construction zones pose. When they fail to do so, an accident can be the result.
Types of Hazards
Motorcyclists and bicyclists are especially affected by degradations in pavement and temporary changes in roadway geometrics. Although these types of conditions can occur on any roadway, independent of whether work is in progress, these conditions tend to develop more frequently in work zones, where work activity has altered the conditions and usage patterns of the existing roadway. Concerns for motorcyclists and bicyclists in work zones typically fall into one of four major categories:
• degradations in roadway pavement surface quality;
• degradations in pavement friction;
• pavement discontinuities and abrupt elevation changes;
• degradations in roadway geometrics.1
Degradations in Roadway Pavement Surface Quality
Motorcycles and bicycles are much lighter than typical automobiles and have only two wheels in contact with the pavement. Consequently, pavement surface quality has a greater effect on their handling and stability properties. Work zone situations that reduce pavement surface quality include the following:
• Longitudinal grooves from pavement milling – The grooves left after pavement milling cause instability for motorcyclists and bicyclists, which can contribute to loss of control.
• Unpaved or gravel surfaces – These surfaces are uneven and provide much lower friction/traction. Therefore, these surfaces can cause loss of control, especially depending on the speeds at which the motorcyclists and bicyclists are traveling when they encounter these surfaces.
• Rough and broken pavement sections – Similar to unpaved or gravel pavement sections, rough and broken pavement sections, bumps, potholes, etc. can all contribute to control problems for motorcyclists and bicyclists.
• Longitudinal or lateral rumble strips – Traveling on or across rumble strips is undesirable for both motorcyclists and bicyclists, which is why many agencies make provisions for riders to avoid running over them either by leaving gaps between wheel paths (for transverse rumble strips) or by placing them beyond the edge line of the roadway (for longitudinal rumble strips). Many construction activities, however, require temporary shifts in traffic that can place rumble strips in the travel path of motorcyclists and bicyclists. This same concern also arises for bicyclists when the traffic shift is such that drainage grates are in their altered travel path.
Degradations in Pavement Friction
Conditions which reduce pavement friction in work zones are of particular concern to motorcyclists and bicyclists. Common examples are provided in the following paragraphs:
• Loose gravel, sand, or soil – Loose gravel, sand or soil can re-main in the vehicle travel path after a chip or sand seal project if the roadway is not swept properly. Spills of these materials from haul (dump) trucks or as a result of sandblasting operations into travel paths can also occur. Material washed from the roadside onto the pavement after a heavy rain is another contributor. Loose gravel, sand, or soil can contribute to a loss of motorcycle and bicycle control.
• Liquids on the pavement surface – Some work zone operations, if not properly controlled, (e.g., misting newly-placed concrete or spraying in front of brooms for dust control) can cause water overspray to land on travel lanes. This water can contribute to loss of control for motorcyclists and bicyclists and needs to be mitigated. Additionally, locations next to temporary barriers that do not drain adequately and leave puddles in the travel path after a rain shower can be problematic for these riders. Therefore, these areas should be checked frequently and proper drainage should be maintained at all times.2
• Blackout tape within the travel path – Blackout tape is commonly used to cover old or conflicting markings within work zones. As the travel patterns change to accommodate the work environment, this blackout tape will commonly be applied so that it is crossing or running longitudinally in the travel path. With time and wear, the surface friction of the blackout tape can be reduced to a point where it becomes a hazard for motorcyclists and bicyclists traveling across this surface. Therefore, blackout tape should be periodically checked and replaced when necessary to prevent this hazard.
• Large pavement markings – Lane pavement markings (e.g., arrows, text and route shields) are being used more extensively on high-volume roads to better guide motorists regarding appropriate lane choices for upcoming exits during major interchange reconstruction. Unfortunately, in wet weather, these materials can also be quite slippery for motorcycle riders. Problems occur when these markings are placed within horizontal curves, start and stop points, or other locations where riders are leaning and placing increased friction forces between tires and pavement.
• Steel plates – Steel plates are commonly used temporarily to cover excavations or large holes in the pavement and allow traffic to use the lane when work activities are not occurring. These plates can become very slippery in wet or icy weather and can be a significant hazard to both motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Pavement Discontinuities and Abrupt Elevation Changes
• Uneven lanes – Milling, asphalt paving, and other work activities can create a height difference between adjacent lanes. Whereas automobiles can generally maintain control when crossing lanes that differ in height as much as 2 to 3 inches, motorcycles and bi-cycles have difficulties crossing uneven lanes that differ as little as1 inch in height. Abrupt changes in height (i.e., with a near vertical lip) are particularly challenging to traverse and can lead to a loss of control.
• Loose or rough bridge and pavement joints – Repairs to approach slabs for bridges or other joint repair activities can create transverse elevation differences at those joints. At intersections in urban areas, sidewalk detours or temporary shifts may put access at a location without a curb cut. While problematic for disabled pedestrians, such a practice could create a hazard for an approaching bicyclist who is anticipating that a ramp is available.
• Steel plates – Although usually an inch or less in thickness, steel plates can also cause control problems for riders impacting the edge or attempting to cross the plate laterally from the longitudinal edge. 3
• Manholes, drainage appurtenances, etc. – Milling activities around manhole covers, water main access points, drainage structures, etc. can leave these devices slightly elevated relative to the milled travel surface. Even if these discontinuities can be easily traversed by vehicles with four wheels, they present a substantial hazard to motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Degradations in Roadway Geometrics
• Travel lane alignment shifts – To keep the capacity of a work zone as high as feasible, travel lanes will often be temporarily re-positioned within a given footprint of the roadway paved surface. When transportation professionals are making decisions regarding this type of shift, they need to be conscious of travel lane edge features that may now be placed in a travel path of a motorcycle or bicycle (e.g., edge line rumble strips, raised pavement markers, drainage grates).
• Elimination of bike‐only lanes – Some arterials in urban areas have a dedicated bicycle lane to separate automobile and bicycle traffic. Lateral constraints in a work zone can require that the lane be temporarily closed, causing bicycles to share the lane with auto-mobiles. This can surprise local drivers who normally do not expects lower speed bicycle traffic in their lane, cause disruptions, and lead to an increase in crashes involving bicyclists.
Through it all, caution, situational awareness, speed (or lack of), and having confidence in your ability, training, and experience will help you to navigate Construction Zones with the least amount of issues.
And remember to always Ride Skilled + Ride Smart = Ride Safe