Field Validation of Process Improvement Findings for Totem Pole Tree Removal

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Roadway Services in New Philadelphia (D11) developed an efficient process to clear roadside trees. Unfortunately, the process leaves boles, often referred to as totem poles, in place to protect tree trimming equipment from damage that would occur if tree saw blade contacted the ground. Bole removal is currently completed by manual labor with workers traversing slopes with chainsaws. In some cases, boles cannot be removed due to worker safety concerns (e.g., accessibility, proper equipment, site conditions, etc.) and can eventually become hazards to wildlife and the travelling public. Furthermore, abandoned boles make the job look unfinished leading to public criticism. The goal of this project is to enhance ODOT's vegetation management processes by validating potential efficiencies in performance and safety for totem pole tree removal.

• Record URL:
  https://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/reportsandplans/Lists/Final%20Reports%20All/Item/displayifs.aspx?List=47f3581d%2Df21c%2D403b%2D9358%2Dfea0b008772b&ID=796&Source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edot%2Estate%2Eoh%2Eus%2FDivisions%2FPlanning%2FSPR%2FResearch%2Freportsandplans%2FLists%2FFinal%2520Reports%2520All%2FAllItems%2Easpx%3FsortField%3DState%255Fx0020%255FJob%255Fx0020%255F%255Fx0023%255F%26isAscending%3Dtrue%26useFiltersInViewXml%3D1%26FilterField1%3DResearch%255Fx0020%255FOrganization%26FilterValue1%3DThe%2520Ohio%2520State%2520University%26FilterType1%3DChoice%26FilterField2%3DCategories%26FilterValue2%3DMaintenance%26FilterType2%3DMultiChoice%26FilterField3%3DList%255Fx0020%255FCategori%26FilterValue3%3DActive%26FilterType3%3DChoice&ContentTypeId=0x0100BD006C89430C884FB603A74E63BB6849&RootFolder=%2FDivisions%2FPlanning%2FSPR%2FResearch%2Freportsandplans%2FLists%2FFinal%20Reports%20All

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $517400
• Contract Numbers:

  41214

  136810

  120518

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Research Program
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223
• Project Managers:

  Martindale, Jill

• Performing Organizations:

  The Ohio State University

  2036 Neil Avenue
  Columbus, OH  United States  43210
• Principal Investigators:

  Witter, Jon

• Start Date: 20240819
• Expected Completion Date: 20260219
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Roadside; Roadside flora; Trees; Vegetation control
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01927137
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 41214, 136810, 120518
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 13 2024 12:33PM