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Page 53
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C - Survey Responses." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25508.
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Page 53
Page 54
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C - Survey Responses." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25508.
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Page 54
Page 55
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C - Survey Responses." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25508.
×
Page 55
Page 56
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C - Survey Responses." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25508.
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Page 56

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C-1 A P P E N D I X C Survey Responses Responses received = 33 Please enter the state transportation agency you represent. Each of the following questions requests that you supply current documents/examples regarding published policies, practices, programs and/or protocols (either statewide or specific to urban districts) that specifically apply to, reference and/or directly pertain to urban freeways, particularly limited access freeways. Each question asks for a different aspect of urban roadside design and maintenance. If you answer anything other than No to the following questions, please upload the most current document(s) using the Browse button provided at the end of the survey. Does your agency have published policies, practices, programs and/or protocols (either statewide or specific to urban districts) that specifically apply to, reference and/or directly pertain to urban freeways, particularly limited access freeways, regarding the following? Please select all that apply and upload applicable documents and/or examples at Browse button at end of the survey. Landscape development, e.g., landscape design, sustainable development, etc. Statewide AL, AZ, CA, CO, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, VT, WA, WY Specific to urban districts AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NC, SC, TX, WA No AK, CT, IA, KS, MN, MT, NH, ND, RI, TN, UT, WV Comments: SC—Currently drafting new policies. WV—We have no policies specific to Urban Freeways. WV has only 1 Urbanized area and 25 small urban areas. (continued on next page)

C-2 Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides No CO, CT, IA, KS, MN, NH, ND, RI, VT, WV, WI, WY Comments: MN—MnDOT has eight districts that are comprised of both urban and rural areas. MnDOT does not have specific IRVM plans for urban districts only but develops them for districts in general. Landscape Development and associated maintenance is done on a site-specific basis taking into account context sensitivity. Illegal camping and other unauthorized uses of the right of way Statewide AZ, CA, IA, KS, LA, MD, MN, NV, NH, NC, SC, VT, WA, WY Specific to urban districts CA, CO, OH, UT, WA No AL, AK, CT, ID, KY, MI, MT, ND, OR, PA, RI, TN, WV, WI Comments: MN—The exception to this approach on plans is we are presently working on a policy regarding removal of unauthorized encampments and it is in draft form so we are unable to provide that. SC—Illegal Camping and other unauthorized use of ROW - Prohibited by state law. Work zone safety for landscape maintenance personnel on limited access freeways Statewide AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, KS, KY, LA, MO, MT, NH, NC, OH, PA, SC, TX, VT, WA, WY Specific to urban districts CA, ID, WA No AK, MD, MI, MN, NV, ND, OR, RI, TN, WV, WI Comments: SC—We have standard drawings for work zones that all contractors and permit holders are required to follow. Landscape maintenance, e.g., mowing, irrigation, plant replacement, herbicide treatments, etc. Statewide AL, AZ, CA, CO, IA, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MT, NV, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY Specific to urban districts AZ, CA, ID, SC, TX, WA No AK, KS, MN, NH, ND, RI, WV Comments: SC—Currently revising our specifications. Specific agreements are developed with each municipality to cover responsibility for maintenance of urban landscaped plots. Roadside integrated vegetation management plans Statewide AL, AK, AZ, CA, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MT, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, WA Specific to urban districts CA, ID, NV, SC, WA Cooperative landscape maintenance agreements with local entities YES AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, ID, IA, LA, MN, MO, MT, NC, OH, SC, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY NO KS, KY, MD, NV, NH, ND, OR, PA, RI, TN Comments: KY—We have statewide plans for most of these activities, but we do have plans that are directed specifically to urban freeways. MD—Yes with several [cooperative agreements] urban municipalities on Primary highways, but none on Freeways.

Survey Responses C-3 Comments: CA—We have licensed and non-licensed landscape architects and engineers in design, construction, and maintenance. We also have maintenance personnel trained for all the various functions that maintenance performs. IA—Landscape Architect signs off on the planting plans, construction inspectors are typically licensed engineers, and herbicide applicators for maintenance are licensed. KS—No special training other than our normal training of our employees working in a work zone. MD—No specialized training for Urban Freeway projects above and beyond that which is required for all work performed in the State Right of Way. MI—Designers have Landscape Architect degrees. MN—Landscape installation contractors are required to be certified by MnDOT. MO—Landscape projects will include Roadside Managers at the District level. MT—Certified Licensed applicators NC—No official certification is required but we only use professional firms and staff qualified in Landscape Architecture. OH—We have a Highway Technicians (HT) course that shows HTs how to establish, inspect and maintain vegetation. RI—herbicide licenses SC—Designers must be licensed engineer or landscape architect. VT— Pesticide Applicator Certification WA—Designers are landscape architects, and maintenance personnel are certified herbicide applicators and trained in Integrated Vegetation Management. WV—We would require nothing above the requirements for any other project. If you answered No to all of the previous questions, please submit the survey. Thank you for your time. Does your agency require training, certification and/or other qualifications for personnel tasked with the design and/or maintenance of urban freeway roadside projects? Please select all that apply and upload details for your selection(s) at the Browse button at the end of the survey. Designers AZ, CA, ID, IA, KY, MI, NV, NH, NC, OR, SC, WA, WV, WY Construction inspectors AZ, CA, ID, IA, KY, LA, NH, OH, OR, RI, TX, WY Maintenance personnel AL, AZ, CA, CO, ID, IA, KY, LA, MT, NH, OH, PA, TX, UT, WA Other staff or contractors AZ, CA, CT, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MN, MO, MT, NV, ND, PA, RI, VT, WA Has your agency conducted research/performance measurement regarding the costs of maintaining an urban freeway landscape development in the following categories? Please select all that apply and upload applicable data at the Browse button at the end of the survey. Worker safety CA, MI, TX, WA Direct labor CO, LA, MO, SC, WA, WY Equipment CO, LA, MT, OH, PA, TX, WA, WY Materials CO, LA, MY, OH, PA, WA Management/planning costs CA, CO, PA (continued on next page)

C-4 Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides Erosion control KY, PA, WA, WY Green infrastructure CA, PA Slope restoration MT, PA Wildflower planting KY, LA, MT, OH, PA Hardscape PA Aesthetic treatments CA, MT, OH, PA Other CA, PA Comments: AZ—Our PeCoS (Performance Controlled System) records all maintenance costs but it is only accessible on our internal web. CA—Currently working on research directly related to worker safety. CT—General training offered, not much specific training required. MD—Not aware of any formal research projects that address the issues stated. Cost analysis is done on several to determine the most efficient and effective means of performing many of the activities listed. MI—Currently working on performance measurements for mowing, tree trimming and roundabout landscaping but not complete at this time. MO—Mowing and noxious weed control are coded to track annual cost including the breakout of labor and materials. MT—These are all factors that are evaluated but little formal research. NC—We have not conducted any research on the cost to maintain urban freeway landscape development. SC—We monitor the performance of the permit holders and any contractors working on our ROW, and require corrective action when issues are found. We have not specifically categorically documented their performance for research purposes. WA— Primary source: Sustainable Roadside Design and Management for Urban Freeways in Western Washington Variances within the context of individual agencies and regional ecosystems WA Noxious and invasive plant species CO, KY, MO, MT, OH, PA, TX, WA, WI, WY Perpetual mowing KY, MT, OH, PA, TX, WA Irrigation WA Traffic controls for mowing and other maintenance KY, LA, MI, OH, PA, WA Revegetation KY, PA, WY Landscape planting KY, MT, PA, WA The synthesis will include case examples to illustrate different urban roadside program practices used. Would your agency be interested in participating in a case example? This will consist of a follow up telephone interview to provide more detail on some aspect of your urban roadside program for inclusion in the synthesis report. YES CA, CO, ID. LA, MI, OH, TX, WA

Next: Appendix D - State Practices for Illegal or Unauthorized Use of the Right of Way »
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 Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides
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Current practices used by state departments of transporttion to design and manage the urban freeway roadsides (UFRs) environment is the focus of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 539: Landscape Development and Management Practices for Urban Freeway Roadsides.

The urban freeway roadsides (UFRs) for this synthesis are those roadsides associated with high visibility urban freeways with limited pedestrian access, such as wider medians, interchanges, and overpasses.

The UFR is part of a greater urban environment with broad social, political, economic, and environmental implications for management. There are numerous UFR stakeholders, such as their respective municipalities, residents, adjacent landowners and businesses, traveling public, and state DOTs, and each has specific requests, requirements, and considerations. Among these are an acceptable level of maintenance and stakeholder expectations for aesthetics.

State departments of transportation (DOTs) recognize their roadway systems are assets that need management and acknowledge that pavements and other infrastructure routinely require resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation because their integrity degrades over time. However, the UFR and its respective urban freeway systems may not receive the same routine restoration. The vegetation installed at the time of roadway construction ages with the surrounding infrastructure. Decades after initial installation within the UFR, transportation agencies have mature landscapes that may be near the end of their life cycle.

The inability to adequately access and maintain these areas can result in failure of planted vegetation, loss of investment, and public criticism of state DOTs. The UFR is part of state DOTs’ highway system investment facing many challenges as freeway renovations and expansions encroach on limited right-of-way (ROW) areas available for landscape development. As the size of these areas decreases, so does the ability of maintenance workers and equipment to safely access and maintain them.

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