Citation

Morre DJ. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 805: 11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research is an important source of new developments in roadside management. However, for research to impact practice, it must be implemented. Sight distances must be maintained, signs not obscured, erosion prevented, and a healthy weed-free turf maintained. Research should include a planning phase that involves an analysis of the problem, outlines objectives and procedures, and assembles the required personnel and resources. This is followed by the actual conduct of the research, which may require several years. Research has a continuing and important role in roadside vegetation management. A few examples from the Indiana program illustrate how research, once implemented, can lead to new maintenance practices with substantial cost savings. Many research and implementation activities would be facilitated by more information on what are the desirable or necessary ingredients of a well-maintained roadside and of special problems where solutions are currently unavailable. Research, and especially the implementation of research, ultimately involves not only the researcher but the user as well. An important ingredient of research implementation is good planning that begins even before the research is initiated.