University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Temporary Stabilization Specification Improvements

Grinter, Mark; Minchin, Peter; Weber, Irene; Morgan, Susan; Retzlaff, William

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/73271

Description

Title
Temporary Stabilization Specification Improvements
Author(s)
  • Grinter, Mark
  • Minchin, Peter
  • Weber, Irene
  • Morgan, Susan
  • Retzlaff, William
Issue Date
2014-09
Keyword(s)
  • temporary seeding
  • vegetative cover
  • seed specifications
  • straw mulch
Abstract
Seed variety performance data for establishing temporary vegetative cover was collected at four Illinois locations at four planting seasons. Current Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) standard specifications call for a mixture of perennial rye and spring oats for temporary vegetative cover, with no variation for time of year or site conditions. That mixture has demonstrated some success; however, for every location and time of year, this study identified at least one seed variety that demonstrated performance superior to the specified mix. Temporary seeding specifications currently employed by nearby states were reviewed and compared with Illinois’ specifications. In addition to seed variety, the effectiveness of seed bed preparation using a power rake and the effectiveness of straw-mat and loose wheat-straw mulching methods were investigated. Based on the observed results, the research team has proposed modifying temporary seeding recommendations to reflect seeding date and site location. Adoption of these research-based temporary seeding specifications will likely result in improved temporary vegetative cover establishment, reduced erosion, and improved water quality.
Publisher
Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation
Series/Report Name or Number
Illinois Center for Transportation Series No. 14-022
ISSN
0197-9191
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/73271
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
Illinois Department of Transportation, R27-126
Copyright and License Information
No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161

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