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Title: Improving the performance of roadside vegetation
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a magnesium chloride-based deicer, a sodium chloride-based deicer, and the major salts contained in these deicers on seed germination and seedling growth and development of fifteen species of grasses and forbs native to Colorado. Seven of the fifteen species performed well at the low and medium concentrations of the salts and solutions; these are plants that can likely germinate in roadside areas.
Date: 2011
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Title: Studies of environmental effects of magnesium chloride deicer in Colorado
Abstract: The overall conclusion of the study is that application of magnesium chloride deicer having a chemical composition and application rate similar to those of 1997-98 is highly unlikely to cause or contribute to environmental damage at distances greater than 20 yards from the roadway. Even very close to the roadway, the potential of magnesium chloride deicer to cause environmental damage is probably much smaller than that of other factors related to road use and maintenance, including pollution of highway surfaces by vehicles and use of salt and sand mixtures to promote traction in winter. Magnesium chloride deicer may offer net environmental benefits if its use leads to a reduction in the quantity of salt and sand applied to roadways. The environmental safety of magnesium chloride deicer depends, however, on low concentrations of contaminants and avoidance of rust inhibitors containing phosphorus. Appropriate specifications for vendors and routine testing can insure the continued environmental acceptability of magnesium chloride deicers. Deicers provided by vendors should be monitored independently by CDOT for chemical characteristics. Any significant changes in processing or source material should be disclosed by the vendor. Colorado-based specifications should be developed for vendors. Independent specifications for low elevation could be developed, or the more stringent high elevation specifications can be applied to all purchases.
Date: 1999
dc.title: Studies of environmental effects of magnesium chloride deicer in Colorado

Title: Identifying the best locations along highways to provide safe crossing opportunities for wildlife : a handbook for highway planners and designers
Abstract: Discusses the highway and landscape variables that highway planners/designers should consider when choosing the best locations for mitigation that helps medium- and large-sized mammals cross highways safely."
Date: 2003
dc.title: Identifying the best locations along highways to provide safe crossing opportunities for wildlife : a handbook for highway planners and designers

Title: A risk-based ranking system for CDOT salt pile facilities
Date: 2004
dc.title: A risk-based ranking system for CDOT salt pile facilities

Title: Greening government research and implementation project, phase I
Abstract: The Greening Government Research Project is Phase 1 of a two-phased research approach to identify how CDOT can achieve the goals and objectives mandated in Governor Ritter's recently signed executive orders on greening state government.
Date: 2007
dc.title: Greening government research and implementation project, phase I

Title: Evaluation of selected deicers based on a review of the literature
Date: 2001
dc.title: Evaluation of selected deicers based on a review of the literature

Title: Evaluation and comparison of three chemical deicers for use in Colorado
Date: 2001
dc.title: Evaluation and comparison of three chemical deicers for use in Colorado

Title: Roads and connectivity in Colorado : animal-vehicle collisions, wildlife mitigation structures, and lynx-roadway interactions
Abstract: This report investigates the impact of highways and landscape connectivity in Colorado. To do so, it describes three complementary research questions. Given the threat of roads to both wildlife populations and human safety, describing the distribution of animal-vehicle collisions (AVC) is a necessary step in understanding potential roadway impacts.
Date: 2008
dc.title: Roads and connectivity in Colorado : animal-vehicle collisions, wildlife mitigation structures, and lynx-roadway interactions

Title: Assessment of Colorado Department of Transportation rest areas for sustainability improvements and highway corridors and facilities for alternative energy source use
Abstract: Cost-effective strategies were developed and identified to CDOT Highway Maintenance Managers to reduce rest area operational costs while conserving finite natural resources. Initial cost analysis indicates that reduced operational costs can be realized by implementing water conservation practices (waterless urinals, water harvesting, irrigation, energy conservation and alternative energy practices, and re-use and recycling of solid waste and landscaping transition toward xeriscape practices).
Date: 2011
dc.title: Assessment of Colorado Department of Transportation rest areas for sustainability improvements and highway corridors and facilities for alternative energy source use

Title: 2035 statewide transportation plan. Environmental technical report
Abstract: The environmental discussion has been developed to assist internal and external users who want an overview of the transportation decision-making process and a better understanding of the environmental considerations contained in that process.
Date: 2008
dc.title: 2035 statewide transportation plan. : Environmental technical report

Title: Post-fire ground treatments
Abstract: The objective of this project was to assess the efficacy of post-fire ground treatment in mitigating erosion and runoff on soil slopes subjected to wildfires. This objective was achieved through physical slope-model experiments and discrete element method (DEM) modeling. Model simulations indicated that an increase in the root network inhibited particles dislodgement and decreased downslope movement of particles.
Date: 2018

Title: Influence of the Mount Evans highway (SH 5) on alpine wetland hydrologic processes, permafrost, and vegetation, Colorado Rocky Mountains
Abstract: Mount Evans Highway (SH 5) has been severely damaged by permafrost degradation and freeze-thaw processes. We assessed the effects of the current roadway configuration on the permafrost, hydrologic processes, vegetation, and soils of the Summit Lake Park wetland complex. We also reviewed and synthesized available literature to develop design recommendations for mitigating permafrost degradation, thaw-induced subsidence and frost damage, and hydrologic alterations to alpine wetlands. The existing roadway has profoundly altered permafrost conditions, hydrological processes, and wetland plant communities.
Date: 2021

Title: State Highway 9 wildlife crossings monitoring, annual report year 1
Abstract: This research evaluates the effectiveness of the SH 9 Colorado River South Wildlife & Safety Improvement Project, including two wildlife overpasses, and five wildlife underpasses connected with 10.4 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing in Grand County, CO. The project was designed to improve driver safety while allowing for wildlife movement across the road. This study uses motion-activated cameras and WVC crash and carcass data to determine how successful the mitigation measures are. In addition to the crossing structures, deer guards, escape ramps, pedestrian walk-through gates and the fence end are being monitored.
Date: 2017

Title: Investigation of mechanistic deterioration modeling for bridge design and management
Abstract: The ongoing deterioration of highway bridges in Colorado dictates that an effective method for allocating limited management resources be developed. In order to predict bridge deterioration in advance, mechanistic models that analyze the physical processes causing deterioration are capable of supplementing purely statistical models and addressing limitations associated with bridge inspection data and statistical methods. A review of existing analytical models in the literature was conducted. A mechanistic model was developed to predict corrosion and concrete cracking as a function of material and environmental inputs.
Date: 2017

Title: State Highway 9 wildlife crossings monitoring, year 3 progress report : December 2015 through April 2018
Abstract: This research evaluates the effectiveness of the SH 9 Colorado River South Wildlife & Safety Improvement Project, including two wildlife overpasses, and five wildlife underpasses connected with 10.4 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing in Grand County, CO. The project was designed to improve driver safety while allowing for wildlife movement across the road. This study uses motion-activated cameras and WVC crash and carcass data to determine how successful the mitigation measures are. In addition to the crossing structures, deer guards, escape ramps, pedestrian walk-through gates and the fence end are being monitored.
Date: 2019

Title: State highway 5 (Mount Evans Road) Summit Lake wetland and hydrology study (Summit Lake Wetland study)
Abstract: Due to concerns that the hydrologic regime of the wetland complex in and around Summit Lake Park has been significantly altered by development of State Highway 5 (SH 5), a field study of the hydrology, soils, and vegetation above and below the roadway was initiated in 2018. The objectives of this study are to investigate the natural hydrologic processes and vegetation up-gradient from SH 5, and how they may be impacted in down-gradient areas. A review and synthesis of the road design elements that mitigate the effects of freeze-thaw and permafrost degradation, as well as minimize hydrologic disruption to adjacent wetlands is also included.
Date: 2019

Title: State Highway 9 wildlife crossings monitoring, year 2 progress report : December 2015 through April 2017
Abstract: This research evaluates the effectiveness of the SH 9 Colorado River South Wildlife & Safety Improvement Project, including two wildlife overpasses, and five wildlife underpasses connected with 10.4 miles of wildlife exclusion fencing in Grand County, CO. The project was designed to improve driver safety while allowing for wildlife movement across the road. This study uses motion-activated cameras and WVC crash and carcass data to determine how successful the mitigation measures are. In addition to the crossing structures, deer guards, escape ramps, pedestrian walk-through gates and the fence end are being monitored.
Date: 2018

Title: A literature analysis and study to determine optimal wildlife crossing structure size
Abstract: Wildlife crossing structures (WCSs), underpasses, and overpasses are widely used for the safe travel of larger wildlife species across roads and highways, reducing wildlife-related vehicle collisions to drivers. WCSs are often expensive to build and maintain, and therefore determining a cost-effective, optimal design is a challenge faced by departments of transportation across the United States and elsewhere. Although much research has been conducted on the variables affecting the usage of WCSs by wildlife, few attempts have been made to correlate cost-diminishing returns in relation to the success rates and optimal sizing of WCS.
Date: 2022

Title: Statewide transit plan
Abstract: Public transit is an integral part of Colorado's multimodal transportation system providing mobility to thousands of residents and visitors throughout the state. Not only does transit connect residents, employees, and visitors to major activity centers for jobs, schools, shopping, medical care, and recreation, but it also promotes greater personal independence. Provision of transit services contribute greatly to the economic, social, and environmental health of the state and provide many benefits to individuals and communities in both rural and urban areas from fostering economic development along routes and at station locations to creating mobility options for all.
Date: 2020

Title: State Highway 9 wildlife crossings mitigation monitoring
Abstract: This research monitored the effectiveness of a wildlife mitigation project on SH 9 in Grand County Colorado. The purpose of the mitigation was to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions while providing permeability for wildlife across the highway. was designed to improve driver safety while allowing for wildlife movement across the road. This study uses motion-activated cameras and WVC crash and carcass data to determine how successful the mitigation measures are.
Date: 2021

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