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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

EXCERPTS FROM OPENING ADDRESS-ST. LOUIS

IN JULY 1930 THE AASHO COMMITTEE ON ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION HELD ITS FIRST MEETING AND ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION: "WHEREAS ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION AND ITS VARIED ACTIVITIES REDUCE HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE COSTS BY CHECKING EROSION, PREVENTING SLIDES, AND CONTROLLING DRIFTING SNOW; REDUCE ACCIDENTS; INCREASE ADJACENT PROPERTY VALUES; PROMOTE CIVIC PRIDE; EQUALIZE TEMPERATURES; OPEN AND REVEAL NATURAL BEAUTY; ADVERTISE THE STATE; AND PROVIDE A HEALTHFUL RECREATION AND ENJOYMENT FOR ALL HIGHWAY USERS, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT (1) ADEQUATE WIDTH OF HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY BE ACQUIRED AT THE EARLIEST TIME TO PROVIDE FOR FUTURE WIDENING AND A DETAILED PLAN OF BEAUTIFICATION; (2) CONSERVATION OF NATURAL GROWTH BE RECOGNIZED AS OF FIRST IMPORTANCE AND THAT UNNECESSARY DESTRUCTION OF ROADSIDE PLANTS BE PROHIBITED; (3) THE ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF THE RIGHT- OF-WAY BE VESTED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS; (4) RESPONSIBILITY FOR ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION BE VESTED IN A COMPETENT PERSON TO CARRY OUT THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST IN BEAUTIFYING TOWN ENTRANCES AND THE ROADSIDE IN THEIR LOCALITIES. THE COMMITTEE IS IN FULL ACCORD THAT THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES ARE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL PLAN OF ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION. THEY ARE RECOMMENDED FOR CONSIDERATION BY STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS. (1) SECURE ADEQUATE WIDTH OF RIGHT-OF-WAY TO PROVIDE FOR FUTURE WIDENING AND A DETAILED PLAN OF BEAUTIFICATION. (2) PROMOTE CONSERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND CARE OF DESIRABLE NATURALLY GROWING TREES, SHRUBS, VINES, FLOWERS, AND GRASSES. (3) SECURE ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, INCLUDING PLANTS, UTILITIES, ETC.. (4) VEST RESPONSIBILITY FOR ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION IN A TRAINED AND COMPETENT PERSON TO CARRY OUT THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE COOPERATION OF INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN IMPROVING TOWN ENTRANCES AND ROADSIDES IN THEIR LOCALITIES. (5) PLANT, SOD, OR SEED SLOPES TO PREVENT EROSION. (6) CLEAN UP AND IMPROVE ROADSIDES PREVIOUS TO THE PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS. (7) LANSCAPE AND PROPERLY PLANT ROAD INTERSECTIONS AND OTHER SUITABLE AREAS. (8) PLANT SHADE AND ORNAMENTAL TREES IN AVENUES AND GROUPS ALONG RIGHTS OF WAY. (9)PLANT EVERGREEN TREES FOR PERMANENT SNOW BREAKS TO REPLACE TEMPORARY SNOW FENCES. (10) PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND LANDSCAPE MOUNUMENTS, MILESTONES, AND OLD LANDMARKS. (11) PROTECT, DEVELOP, AND MAINTAIN DESIRABLE ROADSIDE SPRINGS. (12) MAINTAIN ROADSIDE TREES TO PERMIT UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS OF TRAFFIC AND OPEN AND REVEAL UNUSUAL SCENIC VISTAS. (13) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN PARKS, PARKING PLACES, AND COMFORT STATIONS. (14) ELIMINATE ADVERTISING SIGNS WITHIN OR OVER THE RIGHT OF WAY AND REGULATE SUCH SIGNS ADJACENT TO THE HIGHWAY. (15)ENCOURAGE CLEAN AND WELL KEPT STANDS, FILLING STATIONS, AND OTHER ROADSIDE ESTABLISHMENTS. (16) PROMOTE OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WILL IMPROVE AND GIVE THE PUBLIC BETTER USE OF ROADSIDES."

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  • Supplemental Notes:
    • 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:
    • Neale, H J
  • Publication Date: 1937-6

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  • Accession Number: 00204851
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: pp 6-8
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Jan 17 1972 12:00AM