Difference between revisions of "Site conditions: road right of ways"

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It is critical that your project team understands the function of adjoining land uses and the activity that occurs in and around your retrofit site. Once an initial desktop assessment of the site is complete, the next step is to assess site conditions in order to confirm your assessment, determine the technical feasibility of implementing LID practices within the municipal ROW, (i.e., the existing drainage conditions and general ROW characteristics), and identify and confirm any existing constraints.
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Understanding site conditions is critical when [[Screening LID Options]]. Gaining comprehensive knowledge of the proposed site requires a desktop review of relevant background information followed by field reconnaissance to verify the review and identify relevant site conditions not included in background information.
 +
== Desktop Analysis of Background Documents ==
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[[File:Site Conditions ROW.jpg|thumb| Analyzing streetview shots is a helpful desktop exercise]]
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Reviewing background information will help provide preliminary understanding of side conditions, scope technical investigations for the site and determine project targets. It’s best to collect and review this information prior to field reconnaissance so that it is a targeted and efficient use of time.
  
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Relevant background information includes but is not limited to:
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<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
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* Municipal road sections and profiles
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* Construction drawings from adjacent properties
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* Servicing drawings (hydro, phone, gas, cable, and other utilities)
 +
* [[Grading]] plans
 +
* Stormwater management and drainage reports
 +
* Reports of flooding from adjacent households
 +
* Sump-pump and foundation drain connection information
 +
* Local stormwater management criteria
 +
* Hydrologic models
 +
* Hydraulic models
 +
* Orthophotography and aerial photos
 +
* Surveys
 +
* Local digital elevation model (DEM)
 +
* Surficial soils and geology data
 +
* Geotechnical investigations and reports
 +
* Digital base mapping (GIS) showing roads, buildings, property fabric, watercourses, storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure, and watermains
 +
* Relevant local policies, by-laws and standards
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* Standard templates for design [[drawings]] and tender document
 +
* Watershed or subwatershed studies
 +
</div>
 +
 +
== Field Reconnaissance of Site Conditions ==
 +
[[File:Site Conditions Road Right of Way Cover.jpg|thumb|Field reconnaissance to verify desktop analysis is critical]]
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The next step is to assess site conditions in order to confirm your assessment, to determine the technical feasibility of implementing LID practices within the municipal right-of-way (ROW), to scope existing drainage features and general ROW characteristics, and to identify and confirm any existing constraints. Pay attention to the function of adjoining land uses and activities occurring in and around  the site.
  
 
Site specific constraints, considerations, and conditions that can be identified during a field visit include:
 
Site specific constraints, considerations, and conditions that can be identified during a field visit include:
 
* Road type
 
* Road type
** Local residential road
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**Local residential road
** Residential collector road
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**Residential collector road
** Local industrial road
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**Local industrial road
** Industrial collector road
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**Industrial collector road
** Minor arterial road
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**Minor arterial road
** High density commercial road
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**High density commercial road
  
* Local landscaping features and the landscape aesthetic of surrounding site area
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Also determine what type of road reconstruction is feasible: 
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[[File:Site Conditions ROW2.jpg|thumb| Car parked within the drainage ditch. Will this continue after the LID road retrofit?]]
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{| class="wikitable"
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|-
 +
|
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<center>'''Roadway resurfacing'''</center>
  
* Overhead or underground utilities
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|
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Grinding of the base and top asphaltic compound to some nominal depth from the existing road surface and allowing for approximately 15-30% spot base repair where required while maintaining the original vertical design of the road.
  
* Utility lines not marked in the drawings
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May also include:
 +
*Repair or replacement of concrete curb and installation of sub-drains
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*Repair of concrete sidewalks
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*Adjustment and/or replacement of driveway aprons and sod
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
<center>'''Road Reconstruction'''</center>
  
* Traffic patterns or safety concerns - how could the LID practice assist in traffic calming?
+
|
 +
Complete removal and replacement of the major ROW elements including the road base, asphalt surface, concrete curb and sidewalks. Complete replacement can include reconstruction or replacement of the sub-surface (hydro, gas, water main, sanitary and stormwater infrastructure).
  
* Parking volume and location
+
Another type of road reconstruction converts rural cross-section roadway into an urban cross section. This typically includes the installation of storm sewers, complete base and asphalt replacement, concrete curb placement, placement of sub-drains under curbs and catch basin placement.
  
* Encroachment issues – are there structures or features, such as fences, present?
+
|-
 +
|
 +
<center>'''Road improvement for rural to urban cross section'''</center>
  
* Paved boulevard areas
+
|
 +
As areas urbanize or infrastructure is upgraded, rural cross section streets may be converted to an urban cross-section with curbs, gutters and storm sewers. These upgrades are one of the most common and provide economically  feasible opportunities for LID incorporation.
  
* Irregular surface drainage patterns, ponding, or lack of conveyance
+
|-
 +
|
 +
<center>'''Roadway Reduction'''</center>
  
* Adjoining land use – what activities are present that could impact ROW retrofit design, construction, or maintenance (i.e. excess garbage)?
+
|
 +
The effective width or number of travel lanes contained in a crosssection is reduced in order to achieve system improvements. Roadway reductions can be used for traffic calming purposes, transit projects, alternative transportation strategies (e.g. introducing bicycle lanes), and pedestrian crossings. Through the process of roadway reduction, areas of the ROW that were used for vehicular travel are converted to sidewalks, landscaped boulevards and bicycle lanes.
  
* Use of the site – do residents use the ROW site to access other amenities, such as a transit shelter?
+
|}
  
* Current maintenance practices within the ROW
+
Other conditions to note:
 +
*Local landscaping features and the landscape aesthetic of the surrounding site area
 +
*Overhead or underground utilities
 +
*Utility lines not marked in the drawings
 +
*Traffic patterns or safety concerns. How could the LID practice assist in traffic calming?
 +
*Parking volume and location
 +
*Encroachment issues. Are there structures or features, such as fences, present on the ROW?
 +
*Paved boulevard areas
 +
*Irregular surface drainage patterns, ponding, or lack of conveyance
 +
*Adjoining land use. Are any activities present that could impact ROW retrofit design, construction, or maintenance (i.e. excess garbage)?
 +
*Use of the site. Do residents use the ROW site to access other amenities, such as a transit shelter? Do they use it for parking?
 +
*Current maintenance practices within the ROW
 +
*Are mature trees present? Could they impact construction, operations, and maintenance of the LID feature?
 +
*Project support –property owners might choose to get involved in LID, but renters might not be inclined
  
* Are mature trees present? Could they impact construction, operations, and maintenance of the LID feature?
+
Once you have collected the necessary site condition information, return to [[Screening LID Options]]
  
* Project support –property owners might choose to get involved in LID, but renters might not be inclined
+
[[Category:Planning]]

Latest revision as of 00:29, 19 October 2018

Understanding site conditions is critical when Screening LID Options. Gaining comprehensive knowledge of the proposed site requires a desktop review of relevant background information followed by field reconnaissance to verify the review and identify relevant site conditions not included in background information.

Desktop Analysis of Background Documents[edit]

Analyzing streetview shots is a helpful desktop exercise

Reviewing background information will help provide preliminary understanding of side conditions, scope technical investigations for the site and determine project targets. It’s best to collect and review this information prior to field reconnaissance so that it is a targeted and efficient use of time.

Relevant background information includes but is not limited to:

  • Municipal road sections and profiles
  • Construction drawings from adjacent properties
  • Servicing drawings (hydro, phone, gas, cable, and other utilities)
  • Grading plans
  • Stormwater management and drainage reports
  • Reports of flooding from adjacent households
  • Sump-pump and foundation drain connection information
  • Local stormwater management criteria
  • Hydrologic models
  • Hydraulic models
  • Orthophotography and aerial photos
  • Surveys
  • Local digital elevation model (DEM)
  • Surficial soils and geology data
  • Geotechnical investigations and reports
  • Digital base mapping (GIS) showing roads, buildings, property fabric, watercourses, storm and sanitary sewer infrastructure, and watermains
  • Relevant local policies, by-laws and standards
  • Standard templates for design drawings and tender document
  • Watershed or subwatershed studies

Field Reconnaissance of Site Conditions[edit]

Field reconnaissance to verify desktop analysis is critical

The next step is to assess site conditions in order to confirm your assessment, to determine the technical feasibility of implementing LID practices within the municipal right-of-way (ROW), to scope existing drainage features and general ROW characteristics, and to identify and confirm any existing constraints. Pay attention to the function of adjoining land uses and activities occurring in and around the site.

Site specific constraints, considerations, and conditions that can be identified during a field visit include:

  • Road type
    • Local residential road
    • Residential collector road
    • Local industrial road
    • Industrial collector road
    • Minor arterial road
    • High density commercial road

Also determine what type of road reconstruction is feasible:

Car parked within the drainage ditch. Will this continue after the LID road retrofit?
Roadway resurfacing

Grinding of the base and top asphaltic compound to some nominal depth from the existing road surface and allowing for approximately 15-30% spot base repair where required while maintaining the original vertical design of the road.

May also include:

  • Repair or replacement of concrete curb and installation of sub-drains
  • Repair of concrete sidewalks
  • Adjustment and/or replacement of driveway aprons and sod
Road Reconstruction

Complete removal and replacement of the major ROW elements including the road base, asphalt surface, concrete curb and sidewalks. Complete replacement can include reconstruction or replacement of the sub-surface (hydro, gas, water main, sanitary and stormwater infrastructure).

Another type of road reconstruction converts rural cross-section roadway into an urban cross section. This typically includes the installation of storm sewers, complete base and asphalt replacement, concrete curb placement, placement of sub-drains under curbs and catch basin placement.

Road improvement for rural to urban cross section

As areas urbanize or infrastructure is upgraded, rural cross section streets may be converted to an urban cross-section with curbs, gutters and storm sewers. These upgrades are one of the most common and provide economically feasible opportunities for LID incorporation.

Roadway Reduction

The effective width or number of travel lanes contained in a crosssection is reduced in order to achieve system improvements. Roadway reductions can be used for traffic calming purposes, transit projects, alternative transportation strategies (e.g. introducing bicycle lanes), and pedestrian crossings. Through the process of roadway reduction, areas of the ROW that were used for vehicular travel are converted to sidewalks, landscaped boulevards and bicycle lanes.

Other conditions to note:

  • Local landscaping features and the landscape aesthetic of the surrounding site area
  • Overhead or underground utilities
  • Utility lines not marked in the drawings
  • Traffic patterns or safety concerns. How could the LID practice assist in traffic calming?
  • Parking volume and location
  • Encroachment issues. Are there structures or features, such as fences, present on the ROW?
  • Paved boulevard areas
  • Irregular surface drainage patterns, ponding, or lack of conveyance
  • Adjoining land use. Are any activities present that could impact ROW retrofit design, construction, or maintenance (i.e. excess garbage)?
  • Use of the site. Do residents use the ROW site to access other amenities, such as a transit shelter? Do they use it for parking?
  • Current maintenance practices within the ROW
  • Are mature trees present? Could they impact construction, operations, and maintenance of the LID feature?
  • Project support –property owners might choose to get involved in LID, but renters might not be inclined

Once you have collected the necessary site condition information, return to Screening LID Options