Identification of Influencing Factors of Graffiti Occurrence at Nevada State Highway Bridges and Soundwalls
Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 23, Issue 4
Abstract
This study identifies the factors influencing the occurrence of graffiti on highway infrastructure, specifically bridges and soundwalls in Nevada. Using data from the Las Vegas area, linear regression models were developed to link the occurrence of graffiti (in terms of graffiti size) to highway infrastructure locations and the presence of graffiti countermeasures. Bridges at high-profile freeways are found to experience more graffiti compared with bridges at low-profile freeways. Infrastructure located in commercial areas or low income residential communities is not found to influence the intensity of graffiti occurrence at bridges. Fencing is found to be an effective measure to prevent graffiti occurrence. Soundwalls next to high profile freeways are found to have more graffiti compared with those at low-profile freeways. Graffiti appears in clusters; graffiti locations at soundwalls may not be proportional to the length of the soundwalls. Soundwalls in residential areas tend to have more graffiti than those in commercial areas. The developed models can be used to predict the locations that are more likely to suffer from graffiti problems and the amount of graffiti to occur. Agencies can use the results of this study to develop appropriate countermeasures to combat graffiti problems.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Nevada Department of Transportation for providing the funds to conduct this study.
References
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©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 9, 2014
Accepted: Jan 6, 2017
Published online: Apr 11, 2017
Discussion open until: Sep 11, 2017
Published in print: Dec 1, 2017
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