Details:

Creators:
Sundstrom, Greg
Corporate Creators:
Colorado State Forest Service
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Guidelines Highway Maintenance Shrubs Snow And Ice Control Snowdrifts Snow Fences Trees Vegetation Winter Maintenance
Publication/ Report Number:
CDOT-2015-01
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Colorado
Corporate Publisher:
Colorado. Dept. of Transportation
Abstract:
Living snow fences (LSF) are designed plantings of trees and/or shrubs and native grasses along highways, roads

and ditches that create a vegetative buffer that traps and controls blowing and drifting snow. These strategically

placed fences have been shown to be cost effective in reducing highway maintenance associated with blowing and

drifting snow conditions.

The objective of the study is to equip Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) with the tools and

knowledge to expand the use of living snow fences. These tools should provide a roadmap for local CDOT

maintenance staff which includes: Identifying the best locations, Identifying land owners and securing their

cooperation, Engaging resource agency support of the design and establishment, Insuring initial maintenance,

Tracking these assets over time and documenting the benefits

Implementation:

To initiate the study the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) conducted an informal survey of Colorado Natural

Resources Conservation Districts, CDOT Maintenance supervisors, and CSFS field offices to inventory existing

LSFs along Colorado state highways. The inventory identified approximately 177 existing LSFs along state

highways. Training sessions designed to meet the study objectives were held for CDOT staff in each of five CDOT

Regional Offices. A notebook entitled “Colorado Living Snow Fence Guidelines and Short Course” was prepared

and provided to attendees at these sessions. The notebook contained a PowerPoint training presentation with notes

along with all reference material used for the training. The training sessions were attended by 60 CDOT employees

and 7 CSFS foresters. Three methods for CDOT to implement a LSF program at either a local or state wide basis

were provided: Conduct a program entirely within CDOT; involve other partners in an interagency cooperative

program; or for CDOT to provide funding for another agency to manage and implement a program with this being

the preferred alternative due to expertise and landowner relationship needs.


Format:
PDF
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:629a95899735dc7f78a417bbe65b700851bed82f8de84b7874b82fc7c00847c1
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/29022/dot_29022_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

More +