Effects of Tree Canopy on Pavement Condition, Safety and Maintenance - Phase 2

It has been long thought at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) that tree canopy shading of pavement accelerates pavement deterioration by slowing the evaporation of water from the pavement surface. Damage occurs to the pavement during the winter months when water enters small cracks in the pavement, freezes and expands. Canopy shading also reduces the effectiveness of deicers by reducing the amount of solar energy able to reach the pavement. Solar energy enhances the melting effectiveness of deicers. The canopy also presents a safety issue for the traveling public as limbs may fall onto the roadway and in the path of motorists. ODOT's current practice is to remove the tree canopy from the roadway where practical. This practice has been questioned by critics who claim any negative effects from the tree canopy on the pavement are unfounded and have not been properly researched. This research project aims to determine whether or not ODOT's current practice of removing the tree canopy from the roadway is necessary. The research should also document the positive and negative effects of canopy on the roadway pavement, safety and maintenance practices. The goal of Phase 1 was to develop a field monitoring plan (to take place in Phase 2) that will: (1) determine the effects of the tree canopy on the pavement, from pavement condition, maintenance and safety perspectives; and (2) document and evaluate the year round effects that tree canopy has on pavement.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $348946
• Contract Numbers:

  30496

  135566

• 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:

  Nye, Kelly

• Performing Organizations:

  Ohio University, Athens

  Athens, OH  United States  45701
• Principal Investigators:

  Naik, Bhaven

• Start Date: 20170809
• Expected Completion Date: 20200909
• Actual Completion Date: 20200909

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Condition surveys; Deterioration; Freeze thaw durability; Pavement maintenance; Pavement performance; Trees
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01643132
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 30496, 135566
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 9 2017 8:59AM