ROADSIDE VEGETATION STUDIES, 1969-1973

This report presents technology development in cooperative research to facilitate the establishment of vegetation for soil stability and to control unwanted vegetation in pavement and on the roadside. Work on erosion control dealt with critical slopes where excessive acidity and plastic soil materials limited vegetation establishment. Lime can be used to reclaim existing acid slopes, but subsequent maintenance liming will be required. Removal of the offending material and backfilling is suggested as a construction practice. Plastic soil materials can be treated in many cases, but present construction requirements make the salvage and immediate use of topsoil possible. The use of chemicals for maintenance of unwanted vegetation can be summarized as follows: Addition of a "polymer activator" to TCA solutions may significantly reduce the TCA requirement. Cost data for the activator are not firm to aid in decision making. A satisfactory chemical treatment has not been found for maintenance of median plantings where the offending vegetation is perennial. Annual plants can be controlled with simazine. A program treatment for perennial weeds is available, but the spray mixture contains growth-regulating chemicals similar to 2,4,-D. This practice should not be used where susceptible plants may be affected. It is recommended that herbicides not be applied at soil sterilant rates in highway facilities.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research Performed in cooperation with FHWA.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011
• Authors:
  • McCully, W G
  • Stubbendieck, J L
  • Bowmer, W J
• Publication Date: 1974-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 20 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chemicals; Erosion control; Herbicides; Liming of soils; Roadside improvement; Vegetation
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00098973
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Research Rpt. 142-4FFinal Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 2-18-69-142
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM