INFLUENCE OF ROADS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. FOLLOW-UP OF STUDY SITES

VAEGARS INVERKAN PAA OMGIVANDE NATUR. UPPFOELJNING AV OBSERVATIONSOMRAADEN

The influence of roads on the environment, mainly the long-term effects caused by traffic and maintenance, has been studied. The investigation was carried out at a number of sites, representing various vegetation types as well as different geological, hydrological and climatic conditions. Permanent mechanical damage to vegetation has been observed along alpine roads. The use of off-road vehicles and the arrangements of borrow pits have created areas with almost no vegetation. Due to slow growth in the alpine regions and to the presence of erosion-prone soils, it will take a long time before these areas are covered by vegetation again. When roads are constructed in forest areas, the increase of light and drainage results in a decrease of moisture-dependent species. At the same time, species from the roadside migrate to the edge of the forest. Later, an area of shrubs arises along the roads and the species from the roadside are driven out by the original species from the forest. In soils, increased lead and salt levels can normally only be found near the roads. It is due to the fact that usually there is a dense area of shrubs along the roads preventing airborne pollution from being spread. Near roads where de-icing is performed with sodium chloride, the salt levels in the groundwater are relatively low even after a long time of salting. Only when the geological and hydrological conditions are unfavourable, the salt concentrations reach levels which can cause damage to the vegetation. Small changes in groundwater levels are often arising when excavations for roads are performed. The changes are usually small and are seldom affecting the vegetation. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03476049
• Corporate Authors:

  Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)

  Linköping,   Sweden  SE-581 95
• Authors:
  • BAECKMAN, L
  • RUEHLING, A A
• Publication Date: 1983

Language

• Swedish

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 39 p.
• Serial:
  • Publication of: National Swedish Road & Traffic Research Institute
  • Issue Number: 353
  • Publisher: Swedish National Road and Traffic Research Institute
  • ISSN: 0347-6049

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; All terrain vehicles; Climate; Deicing chemicals; Drainage; Environment; Environmental impacts; Forests; Geology; Groundwater; Highways; Hydrology; Impact studies; Lead (Metal); Road construction; Soils; Surface drainage; Vegetation; Water table
• Old TRIS Terms: Groundwater level; Highway drainage
• ITRD Terms: 1394: Catalytic converter; 2598: Deicing; 2937: Drainage; 2455: Environment; 2755: Highway; 9112: Impact study; 3665: Road construction; 2488: Vegetation
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00381216
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1984 12:00AM