Title
Roadside Landscaping & Forestation Program
Chris Lukasina, CAMPO Staff
Body
The current 2020-2029 TIP and draft 2024-33 TIP have several major projects scheduled to be constructed over the next 10-12 years. Each of these projects will include landscaping as part of the improvements that are implemented. Roadside landscaping and forestation have garnered increasing interest in recent years.
There is a breadth of research on the benefits of roadside reforestation including:
- Economic
o Increased Property Values as a result of more extensive greening and higher positive consumer inferences
- Safety
o Roadside vegetation, particularly trees cut wind and cross-glare and provide relief from the sun and opposing traffic.
- Health/Environmental
o Reduction in pollutants, improved mental health, reduction in stormwater runoff, and reduced temperatures from increased vegetation canopies.
NCDOT as well as FHWA have guidelines for what vegetation and landscape measures are used for various situations. Jeff Lackey with the NCDOT Roadside Environmental Unit provided a presentation on the process for developing and implementing roadside landscaping and forestation programs for the various TIP projects that are programmed for implementation throughout the region at the June 2, 2022 TCC meeting. After the presentation the Executive Board requested staff research this subject further and report back. Staff will provide a presentation on the current status of this effort.
Requested Action: Action Receive as information