Roadside Vegetation vs Wire Ropes

Much worldwide research suggests the aesthetic effect of roadside vegetation provides safety benefits to drivers.

In Europe and the USA, transportation psychologists are suggesting that safer driver behavior is generated by improving landscape and streetscape vegetation.

Studies in Canada and other countries show that streetscape improvements, including the planting of trees, reduced the frequency and severity of vehicle crashes.

“The presence of trees significantly dropped the cruising speed of drivers”.

“The addition of curbside trees significantly increased driver perception of spatial edge”.

Roadside vegetation can delineate the alignment of a road.

Could correctly selected and placement of roadside vegetation do a similar job to the wire rope barriers currently being installed along our freeways and major link roads – at considerable cost to Victorian ratepayers, ($120/m? VicRoads)?

Wire rope barriers are designed to stretch and absorb the force of impact and minimize the chance of rebound back onto the carriageway. There is some debate that roadside vegetation could achieve the same effect.

Costly? Effective (in reducing death & serious injury)

Studies by Monash University Accident Research Centre conclude that wire rope barriers significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries in crashes although there is some debate continuing in regard to their effect on motorcyclists.

Is the answer a combination of wire barrier and vegetation?

 Wire rope barriers do not reduce the frequency of accidents. World-wide research suggests that roadside vegetation does.

Further reading:

·         VicRoads Towards Zero – Flexible Wire-rope Safety Barriers Facts.

·         VicRoads Towards Zero – Roadside Management Strategy.

·         Landscape and Urban Planning – Landscape Improvement Impacts on Roadside Safety in Texas, (Abstract – “Environmental psychologists suggest that appropriately landscaped roadside scenes may have a reducing influence on travel-related stress or may improve attention…”).

·         Canadian Journal of Transportation – Roadside Aesthetic Appeal, Driver Behavior and Safety, (Abstract – “In contrast with the assumption that roadside trees distract travellers from the driving task and thus add to collision risk, several studies actually support the notion that the presence of trees along the roadside has a calming and restorative effect on the state of mind of passing drivers and leads them to lower moving speeds.”).

·         US national Library of Medicine - The Effects of Clear Zone Size and Roadside Vegetation on Driver Behavior, (Abstract – “… studies have shown that natural landscapes can effectively lower crash rates and cause less frustration and stress to the driver.”).

·         The Arboricultural Journal – A Review of the Impact of Roadway Vegetation on Drivers’ Health and Well-being and the Risks Associated with Single-vehicle Crashes, (Abstract – “Roadside trees can help calm traffic, define roadways and reduce drivers’ stress.”).

120

120 is the approximate number of Australia’s bird species, (17%) that use tree hollows for roosting or breeding. Add in the 42% of our mammals and 28% of our reptiles that also use holes or crevices in trees and it is not hard to see that tree hollows are an essential resource for our native wildlife. (At least 15 species of Drouin’s urban bird species like to use tree hollows)

Rainbow Lorikeets are strictly hollow-nesters

Land clearing and urbanization, our penchant for ‘cleaning up untidy trees’, and totally removing dead trees has meant that much of our wildlife finds it harder and harder to find suitable hollows. Add in the fact that many trees need to be hundreds of years old before they develop hollows and it is obvious that the humble yet essential tree hollow is an increasingly scarce resource.

Fortunately, many species of birds, mammals and reptiles will adapt to artificial hollows – ‘nest boxes’ and there are numerous web sites that provide designs for constructing and erecting them.

Ring-tailed Possums quickly adapt to artificial hoolows

Eastern Rosella emerging from a nest box

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees has been engaged in a box construction program recently and this week, with the support of the Baw Baw Shire, (thanks Gary), and the expertise of GippyTree Services, (great work Luke and crew), eight bird boxes were erected in trees in Binbeal Rd.

FoDT's Rob and Keith with Luke from Gippy Tree Services

Parrot and pardalote boxes waiting to be erected

The boxes will be monitored, and with luck, over the next few months, we may see some parrots, kookaburras or pardalotes moving in to their new abodes.

Friends of Drouin’s Trees welcomes any bird observations from interested members of the public, (friendsofdrouinstreesATgmailDOTcom).

A Late Update

Events that took place on Australia Day and will take place during the upcoming Ficifolia Festival probably need some updating, belatedly.

On Australia Day, the Friends of Drouin's Trees received the Baw Baw Shire's Community Contribution: Environmental Achievement award.

A well deserved award for a passionate and hard-working group of environmentalists. The award will inspire the group to continue with their work - educating, lobbying, working bees, etc.

Also on Australia Day, the 'CEO' of the Friends of Drouin's Trees, Judy Farmer, had her work in many fields, including the Friends of Drouin's Trees, recognised by receiving the Shire's Citizen of the Year award. Another very well deserved award. Judy's passion and dedication are indefatigable and her work ethic is unflagging, (unlike many of those of us who try to keep up).

As part of this year's Ficifolia Festival, we will be launching the Drouin Tree Walks booklet.

This little pocket book contains notes, photos and maps of 12 walks within Drouin, featuring in particular the magnificent tree cover for which our town is renown.

The booklet is the result of hard work by many people but especially Judy and Elaine of the Friends of Drouin's Trees, Carolyn from the Shire and Helen of Helen Timbury Design. The design and printing of the booklet was kindly supported by Baw Baw Shire and the Bendigo Bank Community Bank of Drouin.

On Tuesday 6th Feb at 530pm at McNeilly Park, you can collect your free booklet, meet many of the group and hear something about our work. The launch will be followed with a walk in the vicinity. (The booklet will shortly be available at various outlets in the town and at the shire offices)

Also as part of the Ficifolia Festival, Peter will be presenting a Power Point on the Flora and Fauna of Drouin and District - Drouin Library, Thursday 8th Feb, 230pm.

In addition to all of the above, if you are a 3BBR listener, keep an ear out for some bird 'tweets' that will soon be introduced into a couple of the radio station's programs.

In the words of many famous people I believe - it's all happening!