AASHTO STANDING COMMITTEE ON RESEARCH

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS

NCHRP Problem Statement Outline

I. PROBLEM NUMBER

To be assigned by NCHRP staff.

II. PROBLEM TITLE

Roadside Sustainability

III. RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT

The impacts of climate change challenge Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to develop design strategies to protect transportation infrastructure investments. Roadsides are an important feature of the highway environment in that they support the infrastructure. Although the impacts of changing weather patterns on the roadside environment are not yet completely understood, findings from recent research suggest there may be measures DOTs can take to manage these potential impacts. Soil stability, slope gradient and vegetated cover are critical to protect highway infrastructure. Without stable, sustainable roadsides, highways may be subject to slope failures, flooding and roadside fires. To expand the DOTs toolbox of strategies that anticipate climate change, there is a need to understand how current roadside design concepts may adapt to anticipate the potential for climate change.

IV. LITERATURE SEARCH SUMMARY

Godfray, C E, Perry, F B, A Systematic Cataloging and Evaluation of Plant Materials for Highway Use.

Humphrey, Nancy P., 2008. Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation

Lockwood, Stephen C, 2008. Operational Responses to Climate Change Impacts.

V. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

The objective of the research is to prepare a thorough review and analysis of research literature and best practices to reduce the impact of climate change on roadside design and management. In addition to synthesizing the research findings, the goal is to highlight directions for future roadside design concepts and features. The expected final product is a literature review final report and best practices recommendations. The final report will include recommendations on how to predict climate change impacts on roadsides and make appropriate design recommendations for DOTs to implement.

VI. ESTIMATE OF PROBLEM FUNDING AND RESEARCH PERIOD

Recommended Funding:

It is estimated the proposed research will require $300,000.

Research Period:

It is estimated that the proposed research will require 27 months to accomplish, including three months for preparation of a draft final report.

VII. URGENCY, PAYOFF POTENTIAL, AND IMPLEMENTATION

The costs of redesigning and retrofitting transportation infrastructure to adapt to impacts of climate change are likely to be significant. Findings and recommendations from this research will provide DOTs with design approaches that balance the costs of improving infrastructure with the potential economic costs of failure. These approaches will be implemented in proposed changes to DOT roadside design manuals. Changes are anticipated to include roadside grading, vegetation selection, irrigation water conveyance strategies and roadside features and materials.

VIII. PERSON(S) DEVELOPING THE PROBLEM

Keith Robinson, ASLA

Principal Landscape Architect

State of California Department of Transportation

Landscape Architecture Program, Mail Station 28

1120 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-654-6200

Email:

Barbara Petrarca, ASLA

(Chair, TRB AFB40)

Supervising Landscape Architect

Rhode Island DOT

2 Capitol Hill

Providence, RI 02903

Phone: 401-222-2023 x 4090

Email:

IX. PROBLEM MONITOR

The problem will be monitored by a representative of TRB Committee AFB40 and a representative of Caltrans, inclusive of the individuals mentioned above under Section VII.

X. DATE AND SUBMITTED BY

This research problem statement is hereby submitted on 9/15/08 by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

Please submit completed problem statement to the following e-mail address:

Questions on the process can be directed to the same address or .

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