Transportation Agency and Landowner Perspectives on Snow Fence Programs
Publication: Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 37, Issue 1
Abstract
Two surveys helped gather information on the state transportation agency’s snow fence programs and private landowner’s perspectives on snow fences. The first survey collected responses from state transportation agencies in the Midwest of the United States and the landowner survey was distributed to Illinois landowners via the online publication Farm Week. The agency survey showed that the vast majority of respondents planned to expand or maintain their snow fence programs and relied on the feedback and experience of road maintenance personnel to identify snow drifting problem segments. Key concerns identified by the landowner survey include the implementation and maintenance of snow fences by state agencies, proper and timely compensation, making long-term commitments with the state, and soil moisture in the snow storage area. It also showed that the number of acres and unit price of crops were the most important factors to include in a payment structure. Landowners’ participation in snow fence programs could be encouraged by providing more flexible contracts, offering adjustable payment structures, adding incentives to engage landowners in installation and maintenance, and providing an awareness program.
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Acknowledgments
The research was funded by the Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project R27-191 “Evaluating the Costs & Benefits of Snow Fences in Illinois.” It would be impossible to do the survey and research without the support and assistance from the numerous officials and staff of ICT and IDOT. The authors would also like to acknowledge Mark Bloome, Frank Sharpe, Rod Lashuay, and Laura Shanley from IDOT for their support in this project.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 37 • Issue 1 • March 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 22, 2021
Accepted: Jun 30, 2022
Published online: Oct 21, 2022
Published in print: Mar 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Mar 21, 2023
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