Each state that uses this tar formulation for repairs of asphalt has different criteria for the amount to be used and the permissible amount to be used. 

In addition to the difference in coefficient of friction variable encountered in riding, there is a change in structural integrity of this product with temperature range.  The tractionable differences occur most noticeably in cold, in heat and when moisture is present. Although used as preservative for the roadway infrastructure, the susceptibility to pocketing and mounding coupled with the aforementioned weather related traction problems, this product is killing and maiming motorcyclists.

Goldiron:

...tractionable differences occur most noticeably in cold, in heat and when moisture is present.

In other words, pretty much all the time.

I did not say that.  The problem for the motorcyclist is the unpredictability of the substrate in terms of traction.

In cold weather, they frost up faster and longer than asphalt.

In damp weather or wet weatherthey are lubricated by the moisture making them more slippery than they already are.

In hotter weather, they lose structural bond and integrity that denies support to the motorcycle tire.

Based upon the physics and physical interaction of motorcycle tires to road surfaces, they are a dangerous product when ridden upon under those three additional factors because of the unpredictable traction variable that they introduce to the motorcycle rider.

If they remained predictable the motorcyclist would not have an issue with them.  Under ambient temperatures, which are very narrow for this product, motorcyclists can predict, with some degree of certainty, how their motorcycle will handle traversing them.
 

We agree, we're just communicating differently.  Your statement below...

Goldiron:

If they remained predictable the motorcyclist would not have an issue with them.  Under ambient temperatures, which are very narrow for this product, motorcyclists can predict, with some degree of certainty, how their motorcycle will handle traversing them.

...is exactly what I was trying to say above. Because of the variables which affect this product differently than asphalt under most conditions, it is nearly never predictable, and thereby dangerous.

My thoughts are that there are few ways in which we can deal with this unpredictability:

1. Keep speeds to a point where you have enough margin for error to deal with the unpredictable surface.

2. Understand as much as possible how varying conditions affect the product, which comes with experience and research.

3. Lobby the DOT's to cease or decrease use of the product.

4. Contact the product manufacturers to find out if the product can be improved to react to conditions more like asphalt.

The 4th option has no teeth, really, as we aren't the buyers of the product.

jcloonan:

1. Keep speeds to a point where you have enough margin for error to deal with the unpredictable surface.

2. Understand as much as possible how varying conditions affect the product, which comes with experience and research.

3. Lobby the DOT's to cease or decrease use of the product.

4. Contact the product manufacturers to find out if the product can be improved to react to conditions more like asphalt.

The 4th option has no teeth, really, as we aren't the buyers of the product.

1) This is an impossibility due to the "Share the Road" mentality.  If motorcyclists were the only vehicles traversing the tar strips, it would be possible and probable.  When followed closely by another vehicle self preservation through avoidance of contact by the OV becomes a psychological factor in taking the risk and reducing the priority of concern when traversing the tar strip. 

2) Research of these products has been done extensively by manufacturers and manufacturer trade associations. The state and federal bodies that govern the usage and mis-usage of these products are not addressed sufficiently to consider motorcycles as an equal in demanding the suitability of these products.  Understand that right-of-way designation as a roadway is for commerce as a primary objective and secondarily for personal movement and transport.

3) I would believe that reformulation of the product would be the first consideration.  A bigger problem exists, however.  Governments have limited budgets to maintain the infrastructure of roadways.  Personnel costs and product costs affect the quality of roadways. That being said, there are conflicting interests within governmental agencies as to the environmental and health aspects tha prevent usage of some less expensive componet products within the formulae of the patching material

 4) Manufacturers are consumer driven.  They will concentrate efforts when the current product no longer sells.  Some governments repair based upon a per mile basis and others on a per gallon basis.  The manufacturer recommendations of how voluminous a void in pavement that their product can fill are not always if ever adhered to.
. 

These are some contractor guidelines to the installation of tar snakes.

SEALING EXISTING PAVEMENT CRACKS AND JOINTS:    7 1 95

Description of Work:

The work covered by this provision consists of sealing existing longitudinal and transverse pavement cracks and joints with Sealant Type 2, PS/AR (hot poured rubber asphalt) at locations as directed by the Engineer.  The Contractor will not be required to seal the existing edge joints. 

Materials:

Use Sealant Type 2, PS/AR (hot poured rubber asphalt) meeting the requirements of Article 1028 2 of the Standard Specifications. 

Construction Methods:

Install the sealant so that it forms a complete watertight bond with a high degree of elasticity, with maximum flexibility and longevity under extreme temperature ranges. 

Use a HCA (hot compressed air) lance at all times to blast out any vegetation, dirt, dampness and loose materials from the cracks and joints. 

Use a concentrated hot air jet that is a minimum of  3000°F (1649°C) in temperature and that has a minimum air jet force of 3000 feet per second (914.4 meters per second) of blasting. 

Force open asphalt cracks and joints, clean warm and dry, and have ready for the application of the preheated sealant for maximum crack sealability. 

Preheat the sealant to correct temperature, using the air jacketed flow method to prevent the burning of the modified rubber in the sealant.  Perform this by means of a trailer mounted 190 gallon (719.2 liter) safety tested crack sealant preheater melter kettle, with a horizontally mounted full sweep double paddle agitator. 

Apply sealant in the prepared cracks and joints at a temperature range of 370°F (188°C) minimum and 420°F (216°C) maximum, using the pressure screed shoe to completely fill the crack and joint, leaving a sealed 2" (50.8 mm) overband.  Excessive overbanding or waste of sealant materials will not be tolerated. 

Do not apply the PS/AR sealant when the surface temperature of the pavement is below 32°F (0°C). 

All cracks and joints sealed must have a minimum of 1/8" (3.2 mm) depth of sealant installed. 

After the crack and joint has been sealed, promptly remove any surplus sealer on the pavement.  Do not permit traffic over the sealed cracks and joints without approval by the Engineer. 

The sealant is to be packaged in polyethylene bags and placed in boxes that weigh approximately 60 pounds (27.2 kg).  The sealant may be packed in 60 pound (27.2 kg) boxes containing two polyethylene bags of sealant which weigh approximately 30 pounds (13.6 kg) each.  Boxes of sealant are to be palletized for shipment.  The pallets are to be protected with a weatherproof covering.  The Contractor is responsible for storage. 

Method of Measurement:

The amount of the sealant material to be paid for will be the actual number of pounds (kg) of material that has satisfactorily been used to seal pavement cracks and joints in the designated highway.  Any material that has been spilled, used in excessive overbanding, wasted, misapplied, or unsatisfactorily used in any way will be deducted in determining quantities for payment.  The Engineer will determine the quantity, if any, to be deducted.  The Engineer's decision on the quantity to be deducted will be final and binding. 

Basis of Payment:

The quantity of sealant material, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract unit price per pound (kg) for "Sealing Existing Pavement Cracks and Joints".  The above price and payment will be full compensation for all work required to seal the pavement cracks and joints including but not limited to furnishing, hauling, loading and unloading, and storage of all sealant materials; cleaning and preparation of cracks and joints to be sealed; application of sealant material in the prepared cracks and joints; any clean up; and any incidentals necessary to satisfactorily complete the work.                         
                                                            SP6R55
Payment will be made under: 

Sealing Existing Pavement Cracks and Joints    Pound (kg)

And here is some terminology used in roadway maintenance and repair.

Aggregate - A substance composed of mineral crystals or mineral rock fragments, used in pavement.

Alligator Cracking (or fatigue cracking ) - Cracks in an asphalt pavement surface forming a pattern that resembles an alligator’s hide or chicken wire. Alligator cracking may begin with a single longitudinal crack in the wheel path. The cracks indicate failure of the surface layer generally caused by repeated traffic loadings.

Average Daily Traffic Counts - The average number of vehicles using a roadway in one day.

Bitumen - Mixtures of hydrocarbons (for example tar) occurring naturally or man-made from coal or petroleum.  Used for surfacing roads and for waterproofing.

Bituminous - Of or pertaining to bitumen.

Bituminous asphalt/blacktop/pavement - A pavement comprising layers of aggregate mixed with a bituminous binder, such as asphalt, coal tars, and natural tars.

Business Loop (BL) – A business loop is a surface route that leads into a downtown business district and returns to the freeway at the other end. Frequently, the business loop is the alignment of the original highway before that highway was bypassed. (See Business Route.)

Boulevard (BLVD) - A wide street with a landscaped center island running the length of the street. Boulevards are usually found in urbanized areas.

Business Route (BR) - A business route connects the freeway or through highway with the downtown and commercial areas of a city or town. Business routes are primary arterials and begin and end on the Interstate. Business Loops and Business Spurs are types of Business Routes. Business Loop implies that the business route will return to the parent route, while a business spur implies that the business route will only spur into the commercial area and not return to the parent route.

Business Spur - A business spur is a surface street route leading from the Interstate highway into the central commercial district. The spur route ends upon reaching a specified point within that urban area. (See Business Route.)

Capital Preventive Maintenance - Plan for cost-effective treatments to an existing road system that preserves or improves the condition of the system without (significantly) increasing structural capacity.

Check Station - See weight station.

Chip Seal - A surface treatment in which the pavement is sprayed with asphalt (generally emulsified) and then immediately covered with aggregate and rolled. Chip seals are used primarily to seal the surface of a pavement with non load-associated cracks and to improve surface friction. This is typically used to extend the life of the pavement surface by sealing out moisture, which can cause major damage to pavement, until major repairs are made.

Cold Mill – Removal of pavement material from the surface of the pavement either to prepare the surface to receive overlays (by removing rutting and surface irregularities) or to restore pavement to the correct specifications. This process is also used to remove oxidized asphalt concrete.

Conflict – Traffic conflicts occur when vehicles moving in different directions interfere with each other, i.e., merging, diverging and crossing.

Context Sensitive Solutions: MDOT works with communities to identify local transportation needs, taking into account statewide priorities, including the Statewide Long Range Plan, the Five Year Program, and the environment impact. Context Sensitive Solutions encourages early and continuous involvement in the planning process so the final result is both an asset to the community and sensitive to community and environmental concerns.

Continuous Traffic Flow - A steady, unbroken stream of traffic.

Controller - An electrical mechanism for controlling traffic signal operation which is mounted in a cabinet.

Crack - A fracture of the pavement surface not necessarily extending through the entire thickness of the pavement. Cracks generally develop after initial construction of the pavement and may be caused by temperature changes, excess loadings, or excess deflections, which are movements in or under the pavement. (See Working Crack.)

Crack Filling - Placing materials into non-working cracks to reduce the infiltration of water and other matter, while also reinforcing the adjacent pavement. Crack filling should be distinguished from crack sealing (see below).

Crack Sealing - Placing specialized materials into working cracks in unique configurations to keep water and other matter out of the crack and the underlying pavement layers. (See Working Crack.)

Crash Potential - The relative degree of safety of a location or area.

Cure - A period of time following placement and finishing of a material such as concrete during which desirable engineering properties (such as strength) develop. Improved properties may be achieved by controlling temperature or humidity during curing.

Curing - The maintenance of a satisfactory moisture content and temperature in concrete during its early stages so that desired properties may develop.

Delineators - Road markers that define lanes and shoulders; safety measures intended to guide drivers.

Diamond Grinding - A process that uses a series of diamond-tipped saw blades mounted on a shaft to shave the upper surface of a pavement to remove bumps, restore pavement rideability, and improve surface friction.

Dowel - A plain round steel bar which extends into two adjoining slabs of pavement at a joint. Dowels are used to keep concrete slabs from heaving up and down.

Dowel Bar Retrofits - A rehabilitation technique used to distribute the weight of vehicles across existing joined pavements by placing  dowel bars across joints and/or cracks.

Downstream - Points on a route further ahead in the direction of traffic flow.

Driver Response – Driver reaction to a message or condition on a highway such as a sign or traffic signal.

Efficient Systems - A route or network of routes on which traffic flows with minimum delay and congestion.

Emulsified Asphalt - A liquid mixture of asphalt binder, water and an emulsifying agent.

Freeway - A freeway is an access-controlled, divided highway designed for the unimpeded movement of large volumes of traffic. Characteristics of a freeway include controlled access through the use of interchanges, and use of underpasses or overpasses at intersections.

Frost Heave - A process in which the ground freezes and thaws, creating potholes.

Gaps - Breaks in the traffic stream long enough to permit vehicles or pedestrians access across or into the traffic stream.

Gore - The V-shaped area that separates through-traffic from exiting or entering traffic on freeways and highways.

Grade Separation - A crossing that uses an underpass or overpass to eliminate conflict points.

Grooving - The process used to cut slots into a pavement surface to provide channels for water to escape beneath tires.  This improves skid resistance and reduces the potential for hydroplaning.

Highway (HWY) - A main road that provides direct access to buildings and intersections. Unlike a limited access freeway, a highway has intersections at grade level and signs and signals to control traffic.

Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete (HMAC or HMA) - A carefully controlled mixture of asphalt binder and well-graded, high quality aggregate thoroughly compacted into a uniform density. HMAC pavements may also contain additives such as anti-stripping agents and polymers.

Interchange - An interchange is the junction of a freeway and another road. Interchanges keep the traffic flowing on the freeway, but there may be some restrictions on the connecting routes. A complete interchange provides for movements in all directions; a partial interchange has some missing connections.

Lane Miles - The number of miles of pavement going in one direction on any given road. Miles of roadway x (times) number of lanes = lane miles.

Law Observance Study – A survey designed to check effectiveness of various traffic control devices.

Limited Access - A highway or section of highway designed for travel by registered motor vehicles. Access is limited to intersections, and driveways are generally not allowed. Freeways are a common type of limited access highway.

Load Transfer - The ability to distribute the weight of vehicles across joined sections of pavement. This is a critical factor in extending pavement life.

Median - A barrier, constructed of concrete, asphalt, or landscaping, that separates two directions of traffic.

Microsurfacing - A mixture of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, mineral aggregate, mineral filler, water, and other additives, properly proportioned, mixed, and spread on a paved surface. Unlike slurry seal, microsurfacing can be used on high volume roadways to correct wheel path rutting and provide a skid resistant pavement surface.

Milling - Grinding off the top layer of pavement.

Noise Wall - See Sound Wall

Overbanding - Overfilling of a joint or crack reservoir so that a thin layer of crack or joint sealant is spread onto the pavement surface over the joint or crack.

Patch - Repair of a localized defect in the pavement surface.

Pavement miles - The number of miles of pavement in both directions of a road/freeway.

Pavement Preventive Maintenance - Planned strategy of cost-effective treatments to an existing roadway system to extend the life of the pavement, retard future deterioration, and maintain or improve the functional condition of the system (without increasing the structural capacity).

Pavement Reconstruction – Complete removal and replacement of the existing pavement structure and may include new and/or recycled materials.

Pavement Rehabilitation - Structural enhancements that extend the service life of an existing pavement and/or improve its load carrying capability. Rehabilitation techniques include restoration treatments and structural overlays.

Performance Period - Period of time that a newly constructed or rehabilitated pavement structure will perform before deteriorating.

Platoon - A group of vehicles moving, more or less as a unit, along a signalized roadway system.

Potholes – A hole in the pavement surface- commonly caused by moisture.

Preserve - A project type involving rehabilitation of existing roadways and may include resurfacing or reconstruction of existing roads and bridges.

Profilameter - A computer-aided device used to measure the smoothness of the road.

Progressive Movement - Traffic moving at a constant speed with a minimum number of stops.

Reconstruct - A term used to describe a road project where the roadway is taken down to its base whereby necessary repairs can be made.

Retrofit Dowel Bars - Dowels that are installed into slots cut into the surface of an existing concrete pavement to distribute the weight of vehicles across existing joined pavements.

Rideability - A measure of the ride quality of a pavement as perceived by its users or roughness measuring equipment (See profilameter).

Right-of-Way (ROW) - Land and/or property acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes. Right-of-way is also a project phase.

Right-of-Way Assignment - The "green" phase of a stop-and-go signal when a certain movement of traffic is permitted to flow.

Route Miles - The number of miles a car travels to get from point A to point B.

Roundabout- See Traffic Circle.

Rubblize - A process where concrete is broken up into uniform size pieces, rolled flat and covered with a new surface (usually asphalt).

Sandblasting - A procedure in which compressed air is used to blow sand particles at a pavement surface to abrade and clean the surface. Sandblasting is a construction step in partial-depth patching and joint resealing.

Sand Seal - An application of asphalt binder, normally an emulsion, covered with a fine aggregate. It is used to improve the skid resistance of slippery pavements and to seal against air and water intrusion.

Scoping -  The process of determining the type and size of a proposed project.

Seal Coats - See Surface Treatment

Sealant - A material that has adhesive and cohesive properties to seal joints, cracks or other various openings against the entrance or passage of water or other debris in pavements.

Sealing - The process of placing sealant material in prepared joints or cracks to minimize intrusion of water and incompressible materials. This term is also used to describe the application of pavement surface treatments.

Signal Cycle - The time required for all phases of a signal to take place - from beginning of green to beginning of green.

Signal Warrants - A set of guidelines designed to determine the need for a stop-and-go traffic signal.

Single-Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) - A single-point urban interchange is a variant on the standard diamond interchange, whereby all traffic meets at one single traffic signal in the center of the bridge over the freeway (or underneath the freeway). These interchanges can accommodate more traffic in smaller spaces, hence their appeal in urban areas.

Slurry - Mixture of a liquid and fine solid particle that together are denser than water.

Slurry Seal - A mixture of slow setting emulsified asphalt, well graded fine aggregate, mineral filler and water. It is used to fill cracks and seal areas of old pavement, to restore a uniform surface texture, to seal the surface to prevent moisture and air intrusion into the pavement, and to improve skid resistance.

Sound Wall - (Also called Noise Wall) A structure built alongside a roadway to reduce vehicular noise in nearby neighborhoods.

Spalling, Sliver - Chipping of concrete edge along a joint sealant usually within 12 millimeters of the joint edge.

Spalling, Surface - Cracking, breaking, chipping, or fraying of slab surface, usually within a confined area less than 0.5 square meters.

Speed Checks - Radar studies conducted to obtain information concerning the distribution of vehicle speeds through an area.

Speed Study - The speed study determines the 85th percentile speed at that location. This means 85% of the motorists are driving at or below this speed.

State Trunk Line - This network of road types (Interstate, Michigan and U.S. routes) supports the state's commercial activities. An important element in the state's economy, it connects commercial and manufacturing areas and enables goods to be moved across the state.

Streetscape - Equipment, such as lights, plant material or benches placed off the street to improve or enhance the appearance and usability of a street.

Superstructure - A bridge.

Surface Seal - See surface treatment.

Surface Treatment - (Also called surface seals, seal coats or chip seals) Any material applied to asphalt pavement to restore or protect the surface.  Surface treatments are typically less than 25 millimeters thick.

Thin Overlay - A Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) overlay of 38 millimeters (1.5 inches) or less.

Timing Permit - A form indicating/authorizing how a traffic signal will operate; when it will flash, how much "green time" will be allotted to each leg of the intersection, how it will operate in relation to adjacent signals, and what special provisions will be made for high-volume, peak-hour traffic.

Tine - To create grooves in the pavement for traction.

Traffic Calming - A set of street designs and traffic rules that slow and reduce traffic while encouraging walkers and cyclists to share the street. Traffic calming measures include: traffic circles, raised crosswalks, sidewalk extensions speed humps and medians.

Traffic Circle - An intersection where traffic moves around a circular center island. Some traffic circles have traffic signals. Also called a roundabout.

Traffic Engineer - An experienced engineer specializing in issues associated with the safe and efficient operation of roadway facilities.

Traffic Volumes - The actual number of vehicles passing a given point.

Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) - The TEDF is a fund that provides a means for state government, local agencies and businesses to work together on highway, road, and street projects that support economic growth. It was enacted by the Michigan State Legislature in 1987.

Transportation Enhancement Funds - Also known as the Transportation Enhancement Activity Fund. This federal fund sets aside a portion of Surface Transportation Funds (STP) specifically for landscaping and street improvements, bike and foot paths, mitigating highway runoff and the historic preservation of transportation-related structures.

Uniform Standards - A policy of consistent traffic control devices on all roadway systems throughout the nation.

Urban Area - An urban area is a designation defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census as an area located outside of an urbanized area with a population over 5,000.

Urbanized Area - An area containing a city or twin cities of 50,000 or more people surrounded by a closely settled incorporated area which also meets specified criteria of population and density.

U.S. Routes - Non-interstate federal highways.

Weigh Station – (Also called Check Station.) A weigh station is a set of scales located alongside a freeway that verifies that trucks and buses are within the legal weight limit.

Working Crack - A crack in a pavement that changes, becoming narrower or wider under different temperature conditions. A working crack develops through movement in or under the pavement, for example, when an old expansion joint fails.

Tar snake is really a major concern for all the motorists, and we should be careful from this.

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