IFB_2501601_ATTACHMENT_M_-_SOWB-FDOT-MRPHandbook-VegetationAesthetics_(006).pdf

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM

HANDBOOK

DATA COLLECTION

FOR

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM

Prepared by

Office of Maintenance

2018 Edition

Additional copies of this handbook may be obtained from:

Office of Maintenance or

Maps and Publications Office

605 Suwannee Street

Mail Station 12

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450 or

Phone: (850) 414-4050

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY THE CITY OF LEESBURG

FOR USE AS SUPPLMENTAL SPECIFICATION IN SOLICIATION

#190161.

SECTIONS NOT PERTAINING TO 'VEGETATION AND AESTHETICS'

HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

MThornton Highlight

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The development of this program was conducted by the Office of Maintenance, Florida

Department of Transportation, in cooperation with Maintenance representatives from all Districts within the State. Acknowledgment to: Maintenance Levels-of-Service Guidelines, National

Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 223, Transportation Research Board, National

Research Council, Washington, D.C., June 1980, for guidelines in developing our Maintenance

Rating Program and in providing some verbiage in this manual. Any ongoing revisions are the result of continuous review by a team established by the District Maintenance Engineers for that purpose. The team consists of a representative from each district. Our thanks and appreciation goes to those members for many long hours of meetings, research and study in the continuing development and refinement to this program.

This handbook is available on the Office of Maintenance web site http://www.dot.state.fl.us/statemaintenanceoffice/MaintRatingProgram.shtm. Printed copies of the handbook may be obtained from the Maps and Publications Sales Office, 605 Suwannee

Street, Mail Station 12, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450, or telephone (850) 414-4050.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

TERMINOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

SURVEY SAMPLE SELECTION

SURVEY SAMPLE LIST/CODING FORM

SURVEY FREQUENCY

DATA COLLECTION

CREW ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

GENERAL NOTES

CODING SHEET

GENERAL INFORMATION

CODING INSTRUCTIONS

ELEMENTS/CHARACTERISTICS

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM STANDARDS

ROADWAY.........................................................................................................REMOVED

ROADSIDE..........................................................................................................REMOVED

TRAFFIC SERVICES..........................................................................................REMOVED

DRAINAGE.........................................................................................................REMOVED

VEGETATION AND AESTHETICS

CLEAR ZONE VEGETATION CRITERIA ………………………………………… 115

DATA ENTRY

OUTPUT REPORT……………………………………………………………………… 138

Revisions FDOT MRP Handbook 2018 Page Paragraph Description Page Paragraph Description

13 Vegetation/Aesthetic Added Turf Conditions 76 Sign Tolerance Mile Marker Offset

18 Flexible Edge Raveling Evaluation 82 Object Markers &

Delineators

A delineator with 2 reflective sides mounted on top of a double face guardrail is rated as

1 delineator.

60 Pavement Symbols …or 50% or greater of any one symbol… 100 Inlets Figure showing open area of an

Inlet

60 Pavement Symbols If more than 50% of one symbol is missing or not reflective for a distance of 160 feet using low beam headlights during nighttime observation.

121 Turf Conditions Added ‘Curb/Sidewalk Joints’

73 Signs less than or equal to 30 Sq.

Ft.

Sign Tolerances

75 Signs less than or equal to 30 Sq.

Ft.

2) Missing sign or there is missing connecting hardware, nuts or bolts

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 1

ABSTRACT

The information contained in this handbook defines a method of conducting a visual and mechanical evaluation of routine highway maintenance conditions. The purpose of this evaluation is to provide information that should be used to schedule and prioritize routine maintenance activities and provide uniform maintenance conditions that meet established Departmental objectives. General program requirements are outlined in the Maintenance Rating Program procedure, Topic No. 850-065-002.

This handbook is, primarily, for the use of personnel responsible for conducting the Maintenance

Rating Program Survey. Training for conducting the survey was provided to initiate the program and additional training will be provided as required. The survey is being conducted on all types of highway facilities. The type of maintenance required determines the classification of a particular facility. The current facility type classifications are as follows:

1. Rural Limited Access

2. Rural Arterial

3. Urban Limited Access

4. Urban Arterial

Each of the highway facility types is divided into 5 elements:

1. Roadway

2. Roadside

3. Traffic Services

4. Drainage

5. Vegetation/Aesthetics

Further divisions of these elements include those features that are characteristic to an individual element. For example, the Roadside element is composed of the following characteristics:

A. Unpaved Shoulder

B. Front Slope

C. Slope Pavement

D. Sidewalk

E. Fence

The field worksheet/data processing input coding forms list all characteristics that are to be evaluated in the survey. A sample form is included in the CODING SHEET section of this manual.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 2

TERMINOLOGY

FACILITY TYPE - Classification is determined by the type of maintenance applied to the facility

(rural or urban) and the access to and from the facility (Limited Access or Arterial).

MAINTENANCE ELEMENT - A part of the highway system that requires maintenance (e.g., roadway, traffic services, aesthetics).

CHARACTERISTIC - A part or parts of a maintenance element that, combined with other characteristics, compose the maintenance element (e.g., Roadside is composed of: unpaved shoulder, front slope, slope pavement, sidewalk and fence).

MAINTENANCE CONDITION - That condition of an element characteristic that requires routine maintenance to prevent deficiencies or that need to be repaired or corrected.

LEVEL-OF-MAINTENANCE - That point or level of a maintenance condition in relation to a desired level of maintenance.

EDGE OF PAVEMENT – Is the outside edge of pavement (travel way or paved shoulder) where it meets the curb or unpaved shoulder.

FUNCTION AS INTENDED – Characteristics that meet the desired maintenance conditions as determined by the applicable Standard Plans, or Maintenance Rating Program guidelines.

QUALIFIED STATUS – For team leaders, a qualified team leader is a person who is responsible to perform the MRP survey for the Department’s sample points. A team leader must have worked as an active MRP team member and participated in the annual MRP Consistency

Workshop for three consecutive years while maintaining a minimum annual score of 85% on the eight consistency sample points, or been a member of the MRP Task Team or MRP Steering

Committee for more than two years, or must meet ALL the following qualifications:

• Three years of demonstrated operational field experience, or a minimum of one-year experience as a registered member of an MRP team, or Professional Engineer with demonstrated operational field experience;

• Participation at the annual MRP Consistency Workshop with a minimum score of

85% on the eight consistency sample points; and,

• Successful completion of a written qualification examination with a minimum score of 90%.

To maintain qualification as an MRP Team Leader, the incumbent must have participated in one of the annual MRP Consistency Workshops within the last two years with a minimum score of

85% on the eight consistency sample points, passed an annual quality control (QC) check by the

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 3

District with acceptable ratings, and passed an annual quality assurance (QA) review performed by the Office of Maintenance with acceptable ratings.

The following are requirements for maintaining MRP team qualifications:

• Participation at the annual MRP Consistency Workshop with a minimum score of

85% on the eight consistency sample points.

If the MRP Team Leader qualification requirements are not maintained, any one or all of the following may be required:

• Retake the written qualification examination with a minimum score of 90%.

• Suspension of qualifications for six months to one year, as determined by the

Director, Office of Maintenance.

Each MRP Team Leader and their team members must register with the Office of Maintenance’s

MRP and Roadside Manager prior to conducting any MRP reviews during the year. Any changes of teams or their members must be submitted to the Office of Maintenance’s MRP and Roadside

Manager prior to conducting MRP for any sample period.

TEMPORARY STATUS - The following requirements are for obtaining temporary MRP team leader qualifications until the next annual Consistency Workshop becomes available.

• Three years of operational field experience, or a minimum of one year experience as a registered member of an MRP team, or Professional Engineer with demonstrated operational field experience.

• Submit in writing to the Office of Maintenance for review and approval, a resume documenting your educational back ground and operational field experience.

• Successful completion of a written qualification examination with a minimum score of 90%.

• Successful completion of a 10 point QC /QAR review according to the Maintenance

Rating Program procedure, Topic No. 850-065-002.

Successfully completing a 10 point QC/QAR review according to Procedure #850-065-002

ACRONYMS

MRP - Maintenance Rating Program.

SLD’s – Straight Line Diagrams.

RPM’s – Raised Pavement Markers.

DMI – Distance Measuring Instrument.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 4

MMS – Maintenance Management System

R-O-W – Right of Way.

MUTCD – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

RCI – Roadway Characteristics Inventory.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 5

INTRODUCTION

The Department is responsible for maintaining the highways in a safe and comfortable condition for the users and for protecting the public investment in these facilities. Field supervisors are assisted in maintaining desired conditions by recommended levels of service prepared by maintenance engineers for various highway elements (roadway, roadside, traffic services, drainage, and vegetation). These desired maintenance conditions are neither a minimum or a maximum condition but rather a level of service influenced by a number of considerations, such as safety, protection of public investment, comfort, economics, environmental impact, aesthetics and not least, money constraints on available resources (personnel, equipment and materials). The decision of which elements should be maintained at a desired level of service and which should be allowed to regress were, generally, made informally by maintenance personnel (e.g., field supervisors). Consequently, because of these many and complicated factors, inconsistent decisions were made that result in unintended lower levels of maintenance.

Because of these inconsistencies and resulting lower levels of maintenance, a systematic and formal method of making policy decisions for desired levels of maintenance was developed. This method, now called the Maintenance Rating Program, was implemented in April 1985. This program considers of those factors talked about previously and allows different levels of service for varying maintenance elements and highway classifications.

This handbook does not address the steps involved in the development of the program. Instead, it is produced as guidelines for those responsible for gathering the data needed to implement and maintain the program. This edition of the handbook still does not address every situation or answer every question encountered in conducting the survey or maintaining the MRP, but, as experience is gained, it will be applied to these instructions for further expansion and refinement. Classroom and on-the-job training will supplement this handbook in the continuance of the program.

SURVEY SAMPLE SELECTION

The Maintenance Rating Program uses the Department's data processing system to store information collected. This data is grouped and compared to desired levels or conditions of maintenance. Data processing is also used to produce those samples of highways to be surveyed.

These samples are selected from the Department's Roadway Characteristics Inventory, by listing all facilities by length and classification (e.g. Urban Limited Access) and then applying a random number generator program to produce locations to be surveyed. Versatility of the random number generator allows selection by facility type, by county, by maintenance area (yard), by district or on a statewide level. A sample sheet listing the district, maintenance area, county section and subsection, location by mile and other pertinent information is explained in the SURVEY

SAMPLE LIST section of this handbook.

The complete list contains the number of samples required for each facility type based upon the available mileage.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 6

SURVEY SAMPLE LIST/CODING FORM

The Survey Sample List (a sample copy is provided at the end of this section) is a computer printout listing the maintenance area, facility type number, county section and subsection, state road number and location of sample by milepost. The number of samples for each Maintenance Area will normally be 30 per facility type or a minimum of 3 samples per available mile. If the mileage for any facility type is less than 3, no samples will be generated for evaluation. Alternate samples are provided for use when a primary sample is unacceptable for evaluation. This is explained later in this section of the handbook. The maintenance area number is the FLORIDA DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORTATION designation and is three digits of 1 thru 9. The next column on the list is the facility type number. The county section number is the FDOT county numbering system of five digits between 00000 and 99999. The state road number is then listed for each sample. The next column on the list is the mile point at the CENTER of the selected sample.

SURVEY FREQUENCY

A listing of samples required to be surveyed will be provided to each District by the Office of

Maintenance on the following frequency:

Scheduled Sample Period - The District will be responsible for completing the survey of those samples in the District not later than the last working day of the scheduled period. The District will assure that all data is verified as correct and entered in the appropriate place in the

Department's data processing system no later than the last day of the rating period.

It is recommended that the data collected be entered into the data processing system on a regular basis. The computer file will provide a safe storage place with means of quick retrieval, if necessary. Statistically, partial data cannot be used until all samples have been completed and entered, however, interim and preliminary reports may be required for planning, current status or interpolated information.

As Required - Occasionally, a survey of a particular section of roadway (e.g., a roadway adjacent or leading to a popular tourist attraction) will be requested. Other occasions will require surveys for a particular facility type (e.g., URBAN LIMITED ACCESS), by individual section, by a grouping of sections, by county, by maintenance area or any combination of facility types by sections, counties, maintenance areas, districts or statewide. In most instances, priorities and completion dates will be assigned to these additional requests, possibly requiring some adjustment to existing and other workloads.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 7

DATA COLLECTION

The data must be collected accurately and completely to maintain credibility of the program and because ratings may be used by other sections and divisions within the Department, other State of

Florida Agencies, and possibly by other states and federal agencies.

CREW ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A Maintenance Rating Program survey team will be composed of a minimum of two persons.

Each district will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the Maintenance Rating

Program.

It is mandatory that the MRP survey team's first responsibility be the safety of the pedestrian and motoring public and themselves. On occasions, it may be necessary to schedule the survey of those samples with high traffic density during low traffic periods to provide proper safety. It may become necessary to request a safety crew (flag persons, cones, signs, flashing directional arrow) from the maintenance area in which the survey is taking place. The survey team shall walk together, facing traffic, as they evaluate each sample. Facing traffic is for safety of the survey team, and walking together to prevent missing items that might be overlooked by one person and to permit accurate measurements.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The following is a list of equipment and supplies for the efficient and safe collection of the survey data:

• Copy of Maintenance Rating Program Handbook

• FDOT approved reflective safety vest or apparel

• FDOT approved Flashing warning lights for vehicles

• Vehicle with installed Distance Measuring Instrument (DMI) (calibrated before each rating period) when necessary

• Current copy of Straight-line diagram (SLD) maps for those sections to be sampled

• Maintenance Rating Program coding sheets

• Writing device (pencil or pen)

• Sample point marking material (e.g., paint, reflective tape)

• Measuring wheel

• Measuring tape

• Straightedge (4 ft to 8 ft) (metal or wood)

• Leveling device (carpenter's level or string level)

• String line

• Hand held optical level

➢ Probing device (rod or screw driver)

➢ Legal size writing clipboard

➢ Pocket type calculator

➢ Paper clips

➢ Metal pry bar

➢ Small box to hold supplies and coding forms

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 8

➢ Other publication (e.g., Standard Plans, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control

Devices)

➢ Roadway Characteristics Inventory (RCI) printouts:

Location of outfall ditches

Location of landscaped areas

Location of highway lighting (Maintained by the Department)

• Mandatory Items

➢ Optional Items

NOTE:

Some items on the above list are necessary for proper collection of the data. Other items or supplies that will make collection of the survey data safer or more efficient may be included.

Current Straight line Diagrams should be available from the District Planning Section or the

District Maintenance Office for each maintenance area.

GENERAL NOTES:

• Any feature or characteristic that is included in your RCI shall be rated under the MRP criteria. If necessary, verify inventoried limits with your respective MMS/RCI Manager.

• Rate all sample points from right-of-way to right-of-way, with the exception of rest areas, weight stations, service plazas, welcome centers, and inspection stations.

• If the sample point falls within the limits of a rest area, weight station, inspection station, etc. project the right-of-way limits across the ramp and rate for normal maintenance criteria.

• A sample is 1/10 mile or 528 feet in length.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 9

SAMPLE EVALUATION POINTS CODING SHEET

NOTES on columns to the right of coding area:

• XXX in the first column: Indicates this as an asset maintenance shared sample point.

• The number in the first column: Indicates sample counter observation number.

• *: Indicates this as an alternate sample point.

• Column with the number 500: Indicates the roadway section, subsection number.

• C: Indicates a sample point where construction was completed within the last year.

• REC# column: Indicates the record number in the data base.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 10

CODING SHEETS

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are several versions of the coding sheets used to record survey data but the Random Sample

Program produces a combination SAMPLE LIST and CODING SHEET. The top section of the sheet is for survey team names. The body of the form is used to list the characteristics being surveyed and whether or not they meet the Maintenance Rating Program Standards. When entering information on the field coding sheets, place a dash line in those columns under characteristics that are not present in the section being surveyed. Pencil entries are recommended so that a rating may be changed if it does not meet desired nighttime conditions. Block type numbers and letters should be used for coding rather than those of a cursive, fancy or rounded type. Keep the sheet clean, neat and clear of stray marks and figures in any coding fields since this data may be entered into the computer by those not familiar with the survey or the coding sheets.

CODING INSTRUCTIONS (PRECODED FORM)

SURVEY TEAM - These spaces are for the team member’s names conducting the survey. This information is not entered into the computer, but must be on the coding sheet since these sheets should be considered as "source" documents that could be used for auditing purposes.

DATE OF SURVEY - (card columns 1 thru 8) - This field is used to record the date the actual daytime survey was accomplished for a sample.

COST CENTER NO. - (card columns 9 thru 11) - This number is a FDOT cost center number and should be the maintenance area number in which the survey is being taken. This number is precoded.

FACILITY TYPE - (card column 12) - This column is precoded and is the facility type (1 through

4) of the sample being surveyed. Facility type number assignments are as follows: 1 for RURAL

LIMITED ACCESS, 2 for RURAL ARTERIAL, 3 for URBAN LIMITED ACCESS and 4 for

URBAN ARTERIAL. A brief explanation of each FACILITY TYPE is listed:

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 11

RURAL LIMITED ACCESS - Interstate, toll and other limited access roadways that have adjacent property unimproved, agricultural, low-density population, industrial and light commercial development.

RURAL ARTERIAL - All other rural roadways not covered above that have adjacent property unimproved, agricultural, low density population, industrial and light commercial development.

URBAN LIMITED ACCESS - Interstate, toll and other limited access roadways that have adjacent property of high-density population, industrial and heavy commercial development.

URBAN ARTERIAL - All other urban roadways not covered above that have adjacent property of high-density population, industrial and heavy commercial development.

The above definitions are used to classify the type of maintenance for all roadways currently maintained by the FDOT.

COUNTY SECTION NO. - (card columns 14 thru 18) - This field is precoded and is the county and section number as assigned by the FDOT's Office of Planning. It is the same as used on straight-line diagrams and other official FDOT identifications of roadways.

STATE ROAD NO. - (card columns 20 thru 24) - This number indicates the state road number of the section on which the sample is to be surveyed. U.S. Highway number designations are not listed. This number is precoded beginning at the left and leaves unused columns blank.

MILE POST STATION - (card columns 26 thru 28) - This number is precoded on the Random

Sample Selection List. A sample is 1/10 mile or 528 feet in length. The milepost location is the mid-point of the sample. The survey should be conducted in opposite directions along the roadway(s) for 264 feet from the designated center point and includes all area within the FDOT's right of way or authorized boundaries.

SUB-SECTION NUMBER - This number, if greater than 000, is shown as three digits in the right margin of the Random Sample Selection List. This number is not to be coded. It is provided for proper location of those roadways that have been assigned a unique identification.

RECENTLY COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: - The system will automatically identify all random sample selections that fall inside the limits of any construction project completed within the last year to date. The Maintenance Rating Program Team will evaluate the sample for all characteristics.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 12

ELEMENTS/CHARACTERISTICS - The remaining portion of the form lists each element and its associated characteristics. Each characteristic should be coded: Y=YES-meets desired conditions, N=NO-does not meet desired conditions or use a dash line when the characteristic is not present in the sample.

The MRP team shall be responsible for locating and marking the sample midpoint and limits. The sample points must be marked and surveyed by the MRP team based on existing conditions at the time they are being marked. Each sample shall be marked in a manner (e.g., paints, reflective tapes) so it can be located at night or by verification teams, auditors or others that may be required to evaluate the samples. The beginning and end of the sample shall be marked on the outside lane of multi-lane roadways. The marking should remain in place for the scheduled sample period.

The vehicle assigned is required to have Distance Measuring Equipment installed to assure accurate location of the selected center point. The team shall use a current straight-line diagram to determine the SLD milepost of the nearest roadway feature (bridge, intersection, side road) and use this known location as a reference to locate the selected point. ACTUAL FIELD

CONDITIONS WILL OVERRIDE OBVIOUS SLD ERRORS. Most DMI's will measure stations or miles ascending or descending and will allow programming of a desired station or milepost. If the DMI becomes inoperative or unavailable due to vehicle maintenance, then the replacement vehicle must be equipped with DMI as well.

The Random Sample Program (Mainframe) should automatically exclude bridges. If any portion of a sample falls on a bridge, the team should select the end (abutment) of the bridge nearest the sample milepost and begin the evaluation from that end of the bridge. Should a sample mid-point fall on a bridge, the team should select an alternate point, of the same facility type, provided on the Survey Sample List and notify the Office of Maintenance of this situation. Notification should include County-Section and subsection and mile point of the sample. Many multi-lane or median divided facilities are constructed with individual travel way bridges. When a portion of a sample falls on a facility of this type it will be necessary to consider all bridges for the proper begin or end bridge point (use abutment) since some structure locations may be staggered or one may be longer than the other.

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION - The Random Sample Program currently does not eliminate projects let to bid or under construction. Roads under construction that affect two or more characteristics throughout the sample should not be surveyed. The survey team should evaluate one of the available alternate samples of the same facility type.

Samples that have a characteristic under construction (e.g., guardrail, minor shoulder repair, turnout/turn storage installation, intersection upgrade, utility work*) may be surveyed but omit the portion(s) of the characteristic(s) that is/are affected by the construction. Samples may be evaluated up to 528 ft. before construction or from 528 ft. after actual construction

*(Utility cuts to install buried pipeline, cables and so forth.)

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 13

Note:

Listed below are seven characteristics that should be evaluated for all samples.

ROADWAY (BOTH TYPES)

1. Pothole

2. Depression

TRAFFIC SERVICES

3. Raised Pavement Markers

4. Striping

VEGETATION/AESTHETIC

5. Tree Trimming

6. Litter Removal

7. Turf Conditions

Further, there are characteristics that should be evaluated only for a particular pavement type:

ROADWAY (RIGID)

1. Joint/Cracking

ROADWAY (FLEXIBLE)

2. Edge Raveling (Not with curb & gutter, or paved shoulders)

3. Shoving

As a check, the total of any RIGID ROADWAY characteristic PLUS the total of any FLEXIBLE

ROADWAY characteristic should be equal to or greater than the total number of points surveyed. To further assure that the mandatory data is coded, a review of coding forms prior to entering the data into the computer should be made.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 107

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

MAINTENANCE RATING PROGRAM STANDARDS

VEGETATION AND AESTHETICS

THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS MEET THE DESIRED MAINTENANCE CONDITIONS

WHEN:

ROADSIDE MOWING: No more than 1% of vegetation exceeds (varies) inches high. This excludes allowable seed stalks and decorative flowers allowed to remain for aesthetics.

RURAL LIMITED ACCESS 5 inches – 18 inches

RURAL ARTERIAL 5 inches – 12 inches

URBAN LIMITED ACCESS 5 inches – 12 inches

URBAN ARTERIAL 9 inches maximum

SLOPE MOWING: No more than 2% of vegetation exceeds 24 inches high. This excludes allowable seed stalks and decorative flowers allowed to remain for aesthetics. The area shall be evaluated in accordance with “A Guide for Roadside Vegetation Management” as a minimum.

LANDSCAPING: 90% of landscape vegetation is maintained in a healthy, attractive condition.

TREE TRIMMING: No encroachment of trees, tree limbs or vegetation in or over travel way or clear zone, lower than 14-1/2 feet or lower than 8-1/2 feet over sidewalks and curb and gutter clear zones. No vegetation shall violate the horizontal clearance as defined by this standard.

CURB/SIDEWALK

EDGE: No encroachment of vegetation or debris onto the curb or sidewalk for more than 6 inches for more than 10 continuous feet.

No deviation of soil of more than 4 inches above or 2 inches below the top of curb or sidewalk for more than 10 continuous feet.

LITTER REMOVAL: The volume of litter does not exceed 3 cubic feet per acre excluding all travel way pavement. No unauthorized graffiti/stickers within the state right-of-way on state owned property. No litter hazards are present in the roadway or on the paved shoulder, or clear recovery zone.

TURF CONDITION: Turf in the mowing area is 75% free of undesired vegetation. Unwanted vegetation found growing on or out of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) and Sound Wall greater than 6 inches in length and in 8 separate locations, and / or no more than 7-

1/2 square feet of unwanted vegetation for any 50 square foot area of paved shoulder, pavement joints, concrete traffic separators, curb/asphalt joints and under guardrail. No vegetation exists causing damage or displacement to the evaluated asset structure. Vegetation damage is defined as defects both greater than 0.5 square feet in area and deeper than 1-1/2 inches when measured. Vegetation displacement is defined as vertical, horizontal, or lateral movement in an MSE /

Sound Wall of more than 1 inch or in a Pavement Structure of more than 2 inches.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 108

VEGETATION AND AESTHETICS

ROADSIDE MOWING: No more than 1% of vegetation exceeds (varies) inches high. This excludes allowable seed stalks and decorative flowers allowed to remain for aesthetics.

FACILITY TYPE CLASSIFICATION DESIRED HEIGHT

1 Rural Limited Access 5 inches – 18 inches

2 Rural Arterial 5 inches – 12 inches

3 Urban Limited Access 5 inches – 12 inches

4 Urban Arterial 9 inches maximum

Roadside Mowing – This characteristic is the control of planted or natural grasses and vegetation for protection of soil shoulders and slopes, safety and aesthetics purposes.

Evaluation: Calculate the mowing area in the sample point. Determine the area of vegetation above the standard height by measuring with a rule or stick marked at the appropriate heights. Calculate the area of the vegetation that does not meet the standards. Determine the percentage of vegetation that does not meet the standard by dividing the area of vegetation that does not meet the standards by the total mowing area in the sample and multiplying by 100. If more than 1% of vegetation, EXCLUDING allowable seed stalks and decorative flowers which have been allowed to remain for aesthetics, exceeds the appropriate measurement as listed in the standard, then this characteristic does not meet the desired maintenance condition.

Allowable seed stalks are defined as any vegetation not listed as undesirable in turf condition standard.

Except for turf mowed by adjoining property owner, turf mowed at less than 5 inches on Facility Types 1, 2 and

3 does not meet desired maintenance conditions.

Do not evaluate mowing areas where wet conditions prevent mowing.

Do not evaluate mowing in areas of natural occurring or designated wildflower planting areas. Mowing should be evaluated by roadway (one pass) and outside the planted or natural area of wildflowers.

Roadside Mowing does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) More than 1% of the vegetation varies from the standard height.

2) The turf is mowed less than 5 inches on facility types 1, 2 and 3, except turf mowed by adjoining property owner.

This is a Facility Type 4 (Urban Arterial). The desired roadside mowing height is 9 inches maximum. If the height of vegetation exceeds 9 inches, calculate the area. If more than 1% of the vegetation is over 9 inches high, then this does not meet MRP standards for Roadside Mowing.

2018 Maintenance Rating Program Handbook 109

SLOPE MOWING: No more than 2% of vegetation is less than 5 inches or more than 24 inches in height. This excludes allowable seed stalks and decorative flowers allowed to remain for aesthetics. The area shall be maintained in accordance “A Guide for

Roadside Vegetation Management” as a minimum.

Slope Mowing – This characteristic is the control of planted or natural grasses and vegetation for protection of soil slopes, safety and aesthetic purposes.

Evaluation: Only evaluate the slope mowing areas as shown in the FDOT “A Guide for Roadside Vegetation

Management”. Measurements should be made throughout the sample. Slope mowing shall not be evaluated if vegetation has been planted to eliminate the need for slope mowing. Allowable is defined as any vegetation not listed as undesirable in turf condition standard. Except for turf mowed by adjoining property owner, turf mowed at less than 5 inches, on all facility types does not meet desired maintenance conditions.

Determine the slope mowing area in the sample point (steeper than 3 feet horizontal to a 1 foot vertical measurement). Calculate the area of vegetation that does not meet the standard. Determine the percentage of vegetation that does not meet the standard by dividing the area of vegetation that does not meet standards by the total slope mowing area in the sample and multiplying by 100.

Slope Mowing does not meet MRP standards when the following exist:

1) More than 2% of the vegetation is less than 5 inches in height except for turf mowed by an adjoining property owner.

2) More than 2% of the vegetation is more than 24 inches in height, except allowable seed stalks and decorative flowers allowed to remain for aesthetics.

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LANDSCAPING: 90% of landscape vegetation is maintained in a healthy, attractive condition.

NOTE: Rate all landscaping in the sample point located within the limits of the right of way.

Landscaping – Landscaping is defined as those areas that have been changed by the placing of ornamental bushes, shrubs, flowers or plants that require maintenance such as weeding, mulching, trimming, pruning, replacing, fertilizing, insect spraying or edging.

Evaluation: Inspect the landscaped areas. Determine if the plants are being maintained in a healthy attractive condition. Landscaped areas that appear unhealthy or unattractive due to apparent lack of maintenance (presence of weeds, dead or dying plants or overgrown appearance) cause this characteristic not to meet the desired maintenance condition. For MRP purposes, the presence of weeds in more than 10% of the landscaped area is considered undesirable.

Rate trees in all landscape areas for tree trimming.

Landscaping does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) If more than 10% of the landscaping areas appear unhealthy or unattractive due to the apparent lack of maintenance (presence of weeds, dead or dying plants or overgrown appearance).

2) Any landscaping is within the limits of the clear sight window as per Design Standard Index 546.

This is an example of landscaping that does not meet MRP standards.

Example of bold trees included in a landscape area. Rate the area with bushes and mulch under landscape, and rate the bold trees under tree trimming criteria.

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Do not rate mulched areas around bold landscaping

(trees) for landscape area. Landscape plants must be present.

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TREE TRIMMING: No encroachment of trees, tree limbs or vegetation in or over the travel way or clear zone lower than 14-1/2 feet or lower than 8-1/2 feet over sidewalks and curb and gutter clear zones. No vegetation violates the horizontal clearance as defined by this standard.

Note: For MRP purposes see the Standard Plans for the tree trimming clear zone limits.

Tree Trimming – This characteristic is the encroachment control of trees or tree limbs within the right-of-way.

Evaluation: All samples are to be evaluated for tree trimming.

Dead or dying trees within the right-of-way that could fall in the clear zone, across the right-of way fence, or present a hazard to vehicles, adjacent property owners or pedestrians does not meet desired conditions.

For MRP purposes, trees to be evaluated should have a diameter greater than 4 inches as measured 6 inches above the ground. Also evaluated for tree trimming, are tree limbs greater than 1 inch in diameter greater than 3 feet above the ground.

In areas with curb and gutter, there should be no vegetation over the roadway lower than 14-1/2 feet from the face of curb to the face of curb.

In areas without curb and gutter, there should be no tree or trees limbs over the roadway and shoulder lower than

14-1/2 feet.

In cases where guardrail is present, there should be no vegetation lower than 14-1/2 feet from the face of guardrail.

In areas with sidewalk, there should be no encroachment of trees, tree limbs or vegetation over the sidewalk lower than 8-1/2feet.

In an area with a bike path, there should be no encroachment of trees, or tree limbs over the bike path lower than

8-1/2 feet.

Rate trees in all landscape areas for tree trimming.

Tree trimming does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) In curb and gutter areas, vegetation is lower than 14-1/2 feet over the roadway from the face of curb to the face of curb.

2) In areas without curb and gutter, vegetation over the roadway and shoulder is lower than 14-1/2 feet.

3) In areas with guardrail, trees or tree limbs are lower than 14-1/2 feet from face of guardrail.

4) Vegetation encroachment of trees, tree limbs or vegetation over the sidewalk is lower than 8-1/2 feet.

5) Dead or dying trees within the right-of-way that could fall in the clear zone, across the right-of-way fence or present a hazard to vehicles, adjacent property owners or pedestrians.

6) Trees and/or vegetation that obscure the message of a sign.

7) Encroachment of trees, tree limbs or vegetation over a bike path lower than 8-1/2 feet.

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This tree limb appears lower than 8-1/2 feet over the sidewalk. This does not meet MRP standards.

Trees, tree limbs or vegetation should be no lower than 8-1/2 feet over sidewalk.

This does not meet MRP standards.

Bold landscape areas should be rated under the tree trimming characteristic.

Examples of trees over roadway if measured lower than 14-1/2 feet it would not meet MRP standards.

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CLEAR ZONE VEGETATION CRITERIA

Note: The cross hatched areas shown above represent areas to be evaluated for horizontal clear zone violations.

Violation of clear zone includes the evaluation of trees that have a diameter greater than 4 inches as measured

6 inches above the ground. It also includes the evaluation of tree limbs greater than 1 inch in diameter greater than 3 feet above the ground.

1. Vegetation shall not block signs

2. Sidewalk to be clear of vegetation.

3. In areas with shoulder gutter and no soil shoulder behind it, the back of the shoulder gutter is to be considered the shoulder point.

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CURB/SIDEWALK

EDGE: No encroachment of vegetation or debris for more than 6 inches onto the curb or sidewalk for more than 10 continuous feet.

No deviation of soil more than 4 inches above or 2 inches below the top of curb or sidewalk for more than 10 continuous feet.

Curb/Sidewalk Edging – Curb and sidewalk edging, including median curb is performed for safety and aesthetic reasons. Encroachment of vegetation or debris on the sidewalk could cause a hazard.

Evaluation: Review the curb and sidewalk areas within the sample point. Only evaluate sidewalks within the right-of-way and 2 feet behind all curbs.

Edging may be accomplished by mechanical control (cutting or trimming by machine) or chemical control.

Dead or dying vegetation at a curb or sidewalk edge is an indication that a chemical control program is being used. In this case, an evaluation must be made to determine if the soil remaining, after the vegetation is gone, will still cause an encroachment.

This evaluation also includes vegetation growing over the sidewalk more than 6 inches for more than 10 continuous feet.

A utility strip is generally considered to be that unpaved area between the back of a curb and a sidewalk.

In areas with curb and gutter and sidewalk, rate curb/sidewalk edging around the returns to the back of the sidewalk. In areas with curb and gutter and no sidewalk, do not rate curb/sidewalk edging around the returns. In curb and gutter sections, unpaved turnouts will be evaluated by this characteristic. For MRP purposes in evaluating this characteristic, continuous encroachment may not necessarily be solid encroachment.

Any bike paths located outside the roadway pavement area will be included in the evaluation for curb/sidewalk edging.

For MRP purposes, do not rate areas outside the right-of-way.

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Curb/Sidewalk Edging does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1) Any encroachment of vegetation or debris for more than 6 inches onto the curb or sidewalk for more than 10 continuous feet.

2) Any encroachment of vegetation more than 6 inches over the curb or sidewalk for 10 continuous feet.

3) Any deviation of soil of more than 4 inches above the top of curb or sidewalk for more than10 continuous feet.

4) Any deviation of soil more than 2 inches below the top of curb or sidewalk for more than 10 continuous feet.

5) Any defect (not covered by another characteristic) within the clear zone or to the front edge of sidewalk, whichever is greater, and more than 1/2 square foot in area with a depth of 6 inches or greater.

6) Any encroachment of vegetation or debris for more than 6 inches onto a bike path for more than 10 continuous feet.

7) Any deviation of soil more than 4 inches above the bike path for more than 10 continuous feet.

8) Any deviation of soil more than 2 inches below the bike path for more than 10 continuous feet.

This is an example of a sidewalk that meets MRP standards for curb/sidewalk edging.

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These pictures are examples of vegetation growing over the sidewalk. This obstructs the use of the sidewalk by pedestrians. If there is encroachment of vegetation onto the sidewalk more than 6 inch it does not meet MRP standards.

This is a soil buildup greater than 4 inches in the utility strip. It is built up more than

10 continuous feet and, therefore, does not meet MRP standards.

This vegetation encroachment on the sidewalk does not meet MRP standards for curb/sidewalk edging.

This vegetation is encroaching the curb more than 6 inches for more than

10 feet. This does not meet MRP standards for curb/sidewalk edging.

This vegetation is encroaching onto the sidewalk more than 6 inches for a continuous 10 feet. This does not meet

MRP standards for curb/ sidewalk edging.

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LITTER REMOVAL: The volume of litter does not exceed 3 cubic feet per acre excluding all travel way pavement. No unauthorized graffiti/stickers within the state right-of-way on state owned property. No litter hazards are present in the roadway or on the paved shoulder.

Litter Removal – Removal of litter and graffiti from roadway and roadside areas is performed for aesthetic and safety reasons. It is desired to present a pleasing appearance to the motoring and pedestrian traffic, but is more important to provide safety. Litter in roadway and on paved shoulders presents an increased possibility of hazards to the traveling public.

Litter or debris may consist of varied sizes of bottles, cans, paper, tires, tire pieces, lumber, building materials, furniture, household items, dead animals, livestock, vehicle parts, metal junk, fallen trees, tree limbs greater than 1 inch in diameter, brush, campaign and advertising signs, and other debris.

Evaluation: The evaluation area for litter includes the mowing areas, parking areas, paved shoulders, crossovers, all medians, sidewalks, bike paths, driveways, traffic separators, gutters, travel way, and drainage structures. The evaluation area for unauthorized graffiti and/or stickers is all surfaces on state owned property within the right-of-way.

Calculation: Determine the number of acres in the mowing area within the sample point. Calculate the number of cubic feet of litter within the right-of-way of the sample point. If the volume of litter exceeds 3 cubic feet per acre, then the sample point does not meet MRP standards for Litter Removal.

In areas without mowing or areas with less than 1/3 of an acre of mowing limits, litter should not exceed 1 cubic foot.

(The travel way pavement includes through lanes, turn lanes and bi-directional lanes).

Do not include the volume of litter in the portion of the right-of-way that is continually under water.

Litter in the roadway, on the paved shoulder, or clear recovery zone has the potential of being a hazard. For MRP purposes; a hazard is defined as the following:

• In the roadway or on the paved shoulders any object greater than 1/2 square foot in area and exceeds 1/2 inch in height.

• Any rigid object above the ground greater than 4 inches in height located in the clear recovery zone.

Note: If the hazard is in the roadway it should be called into the local maintaining maintenance unit, if it can be removed safely from the roadway by the rating team, the object should be placed in a safer location, and rate the characteristic “N” for not meeting.

Items (leaves, bagged trash, tree-trimming residue) that appear to be those which will be picked up during the normal waste collection process will not be considered as litter.

Litter Removal does not meet MRP standards when any of the following exist:

1. There is more than 3 cubic feet of litter per acre within the right-of-way of the sample point.

2. Any object in the roadway, paved shoulder, or sidewalk greater than 1/2 sq. ft. in area, and exceeds 1/2 inch in height.

3. Any rigid object above the ground greater than 4 inches in height located in the clear recovery zone.

4. Any form of unauthorized graffiti and/or stickers on any state owned surface within the right-of-way.

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Litter Any litter that creates a hazard to motorists or pedestrians does not meet desired MRP standards.

Litter Area. Determine the number of acres in the mowing area within the sample point. Calculate the cubic feet of litter within the right-of-way of the sample point. If there is more than 3 cubic feet of litter per acre, then this does not meet desired MRP standards.

Litter

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Sticker placed on structure this would

Sticker placed on guardrail this would not meet desired MRP standards.

Spray paint graffiti on sign panel this would not meet desired MRP standards.

Sticker placed on sign panel this would

Graffiti on wall, this would not meet desired MRP standards.

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TURF CONDITION: Turf in the mowing area is 75% free of undesired vegetation.

Unwanted vegetation found growing on or out of Mechanically Stabilized Earth

(MSE) and Sound Wall greater than 6 inches in length and in 8 separate locations, and / or no more than 7-1/2 square feet of unwanted vegetation for any 50 square foot area of paved shoulder, pavement joints, curb/sidewalk joints, concrete traffic separators, curb/asphalt joints and under guardrail. No vegetation exists causing damage or displacement to the evaluated asset structure. Vegetation damage is defined as defects both greater than 1/2 square foot in area and deeper than 1-1/2 inches when measured. Vegetation displacement is defined as vertical, horizontal, or lateral movement in an MSE / sound wall of more than 1 inch or in a pavement structure of more than 2 inches.

Turf Condition – Turf is grass or other vegetation considered desirable for the particular roadside location.

Properly maintained and desired vegetation provides a pleasing appearance but, primarily, it presents less chance of shoulder and slope defects (ruts, washouts, wash boarding), thereby, providing a safe recovery area for motoring traffic.

Unwanted Vegetation – This characteristic is the encroachment untreated, unwanted vegetation growing within the right-of-way on MSE, sound walls, paved shoulders, concrete traffic separators, curb/asphalt joints and miscellaneous pavement under guardrail, cable rail, and barrier wall.

Evaluation: Determine the mowing area within the sample point. Turf condition will normally be evaluated within the established mowing limits. Occasionally, mowing limits are changed and areas are left to regenerate.

These areas, in the first stages of regeneration, will appear to be within mowing limits and probably will contain undesirable vegetation.

Rate all MSE, sound walls, paved shoulders, and miscellaneous pavement under guardrail (to include cable rail, traffic separators, and barrier wall) within the sample point.

Each MSE and/or sound wall within the sample point shall have no…