USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Noteworthy Practices Roadside Tree and Utility Pole Management


            
            In This Section
        Roadway Departure Safety
                Strategic Approach
                                Strategic Plan
                Crash Emphasis Brochures
                Focused Approach
                Noteworthy Practices
                Partner Resources
                Keep Vehicles on the Road
                                Pavement Friction
                Horizontal Curve Safety
                Rumble Strips and Rumble Stripes
                Nighttime Visibility
                Provide for a Safe Recovery
                                SafetyEdge
                Clear Zones
                Reduce Crash Severity
                                Overview
                Hardware Eligibility Letters
                Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD)
                                Overview
                All Public Roads
                Proven Countermeasures
                Systemic Approach
                Safety Action Plans
                FoRRRwD Resources
                
                3. PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
3. PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT

Tree and utility management practices are generally reserved for rural areas and are largely reactive, in that, the safety practitioner has to manage a preexisting concern. Since no known States are intentionally introducing trees that mature to significant diameters into the clear zones of high speed rural routes, few—if any—standards governing the practice exist.36

The lower speed urban setting is much different. Trees, hardscape, and utility poles are routinely placed in relatively close proximity to vehicles. There are a number of reasons for this:

Aesthetics– A city's identity is closely associated with the aesthetic presented. To many travelers, it's the first indication of the community's character that they will encounter.37
	Health– Studies suggest that urban vegetation may be associated with increased levels of physical activity38 and decreased levels of depression.39
	Environment– Trees improve air quality through temperature reduction, air pollution removal, reduced ultraviolet radiation, and carbon storage.40 They improve water quality by detaining and filtering surface run-off, and releasing it back into the atmosphere. Trees beyond the roadside clear zone are also vital to the health of pollinators such as bees, birds, bats.41Urban landscaping and forestry are an increasingly noticeable element of urban design, and the benefits they are believed to provide maintain that prominence. Therefore, the design process must balance their benefits with the necessity for roadside safety.42

36 California Department of Transportation, Trees and Highway Safety, (Sacramento, CA: March 18, 2010), pp.13-21.

37 Federal Highway Administration, Urban Tree and Landscape Safety, Task T-06-005(McLean, VA: February 2, 2009), p. 85.

38 Ruth Hunter, et al., "The impact of interventions to promote physical activity in urban green space: A systematic review and recommendations for future research," Social Science and Medicine, Volume 124, (January 2015): 246-256.

39 Hannah Cohen-Cline, Eric Turkheimer, and Glen Duncan, "Access to green space, physical activity and mental health: a twin study," Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, Volume 69, Issue 6, (June 2015): 523-529.

40 D.J. Nowak and G.M. Heisler, Air Quality Effects of urban Trees and Parks, (Ashburn, VA: National Recreation and Park Association, 2010), p.3.

41 FHWA, Pollinators and Roadsides: Best Management Practices for Managers and Decision Makers, FHWA-HEP-16-020 (Washington, DC: December 2015). Available at: https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecosystems/vegmgmt_pollinators.asp.

42 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Roadside Design Guide, 4th Edition, Washington DC: AASHTO, 2011, p.10-15.
      
  Book traversal links for 3. PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
      ‹ 2. REACTIVE MANAGEMENT
                    Up
                    4. URBAN TREE AND UTILITY POLE RECOMMENDED PRACTICES ›
                
                Book:Noteworthy Practices Roadside Tree and Utility Pole Management
              1. INTRODUCTION
                2. REACTIVE MANAGEMENT
                3. PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
                4. URBAN TREE AND UTILITY POLE RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
                5. CONCLUSION
                6. RECOMMENDED READING U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us