Once the foundation of the public ROW is secure, the next objective is to keep the accumulation of items that will detract from the appearance to a minimum.  I am not aware of any program that can completely eliminate litter, illegal dumping or graffiti, but the diligent efforts of the Public Works department can minimize the impact.  The existence of debris on the right of way or graffiti on a sign has a way of multiplying to overwhelming levels in a short period if allowed to go unchecked.  The ability to address these items quickly has a way of reducing the occurrence. For example, a graffiti artist or “tagger” that knows his tag is going to be removed within 24 to 48 hours will lose a large amount of the recognition that he craves and will be less likely to continue in your location.  Similarly, if drivers see litter in the median of a roadway they are more likely to throw their trash out the window than at a location where the median is clean and well maintained.  This type of maintenance should be performed on a routine basis and there should be enough flexibility and recognition to see a problem and address it in a timely manner.  It is beneficial for the Public Works Department to work closely with the Police or other departments to communicate problem areas, document occurrences of dumping or graffiti, and work together to address them.

Finally, the other major component of ROW maintenance is landscape maintenance.  The implementation of regular mowing, pruning, trimming and mulching keeps the living portion of the ROW in the same good condition as the asphalt and concrete portions.  The mowing operations for most turf should be performed a minimum of twice monthly with additional cycles being performed during the growing season.  Trimming of shrubs should be performed monthly or every other month based upon the type of plant materials. Tree trimming and mulching should be performed at least on an annual basis but more frequent attention to this detail will enhance the appearance of any landscaped area.  It is also a good idea to look at the regulations that govern the portions of the ROW that abut private property to determine the party responsible for maintaining landscaping, particularly in unimproved areas.  This is an opportunity to work with the department that enforces the governmental regulations to make sure that resources are allocated properly.

 

Branding

The extra effort to identify a jurisdictional boundary or to create unique features in the public ROW to set you apart from other jurisdictions is referred to as branding.  Many Public Works departments perform branding through the installation of entrance monuments or jurisdictional boundary signs at the major entrances to that community.  Another frequently used branding strategy is through the use of street name signs or way finding systems that advertise the community by means of a unique color or symbol.  There are many ways of branding your community, but no matter what method is chosen it is a good idea to choose an aesthetically pleasing way to improve the public perception of your work.

There are several other methods that I have seen utilized with some frequency.  Street lights can be used either through the actual construction of the light or by way of signs or banners affixed to the lights.  Trash receptacles can be used in areas that see large volumes of pedestrian traffic, such as boardwalks or bus stops.  The use of personalized news racks performs two functions by removing the miscellaneous racks that clutter the sidewalk and detract from the appearance of the ROW, as well as providing a good medium for branding your community. 

Landscaping

One of the best ways to improve the appearance of the ROW is to add landscaping.  Many governmental entities hesitate to perform significant improvements to landscaping in the ROW due to both capital costs and long term maintenance costs.  As Public Works professionals, it is our responsibility to identify ways to overcome these obstacles.  One of the ways to minimize the long term maintenance costs is to use xeriscape landscape designs.  Xeriscape is the use of plant material that is consistent with the environment in which it will be planted and, once established, require little or no supplemental water. The benefit is that irrigation systems and time intensive maintenance activities are not required.  Xeriscaping has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly as it conserves water.

Another good practice to use when performing landscape enhancements is the Right Tree/Right Place (RT/RP) principle for tree planting. The concept is to select trees that reach a maximum height of 18 feet or less when planting under power lines.  It is also a good practice to select native species that are more accustomed to the weather in your area and less likely to be uprooted during extreme conditions. This principle became more widely used in Florida following the hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005.  The main component of RT/RP is to choose species of trees that fit in with their surroundings so as not to create additional damage during heavy winds or other extreme weather patterns.  Damage was seen in abundance during the above mentioned hurricane seasons when trees were blown into power lines or were uprooted, causing damage to underground utilities in the public ROW. 

Finally, the best way to combine branding with ROW landscaping is to create consistency in planting.  It is a good idea to include a variety of plant materials when installing landscape improvements, but it is also a good idea to remain consistent as to form within projects or across multiple projects to give the finished product a feeling of belonging in the community.  Many times landscape projects are implemented over time or different projects are funded by different administrations that have different opinions and preferences.  It is important to keep new projects consistent with older ones by using some similar species or planting patterns. 

Lighting

Lighting is an item that is no longer only for safety.  Many communities are using decorative roadway lighting systems to improve the aesthetics of an area.  In addition to roadway lights, lighting can be incorporated into landscape features, bike paths, walkways, and fountains in order to provide a unique appearance that is appealing both at day and night.  Lighting systems can be energized with either solar power or hard wired systems.  Solar powered systems are considered more environmentally friendly but sometimes have limitations on the amount of power that can be provided.  It is also good to plan to have additional power available for special occasions, such as holiday displays, for those last minute suggestions or directives that may arise.

This article has tried to touch on the major items that are used for aesthetic improvements.  These items are by no means a complete list, as it is the interests and character of a community that should determine the measures taken to beautify the area. The principles presented herein are a guideline to get you started in the right direction.