ROADSIDE VEGETATION: IMPLEMENTATION OF FINE FESCUE GRASSES

The implementation phase of the roadside vegetation study began in July 1975 with Rutgers University acting as consultant. Effective July 1977, this effort was undertaken and continued by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). The objectives were to evaluate and compare the new standard Type A-2 grass mixture with the old standard Type A grass mixture in large roadside plots. The new Type A-2 grass mixture was evaluated for reduced mowing, better appearance, and better adaptability to New Jersey roadsides. Five locations were selected for approximately half-acre plots of Type A and Type A-2 grass mixture. The plots were evaluated and compared periodically by the Division of Research of NJDOT. The data-collection program was hampered by the 1979 gasoline crisis, the 1980 drought, and the department's policy of curtailed mowing. However, height data indicated that the Type A-2 grass mixture grows less vigorously and approximately half the height of the old Type A grass mixture. It was concluded that the new grass mixture will require less mowing than the old Type A grass mixture and will have a better appearance. The Type A-2 grass mixture is somewhat slower to establish than Type A. It is recommended that Manhattan ryegrass be added to the Type A-2 grass mixture to improve initial establishment and germination. It is also recommended that the sowing rate be 100 lb/acre instead of the initially suggested 60-lb/acre rate. This should eliminate the need to overseed after initial establishment. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/913/913-007.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=ROADSIDE+VEGETATION%3A+IMPLEMENTATION+OF+FINE+FESCUE+GRASSES&author=R.+Baker&publication_year=1983
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309035562
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Landscape and Environmental Design. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Baker, Robert F
• Conference:
  • 62nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1983-1-17 to 1983-1-21
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 23-28
• Monograph Title: Roadside Vegetation, Restoration, and Protection
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 913
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Grasses; Mixtures; Mowing; Psychological adaptation; Roadside; Vegetation
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380725
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309035562
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM