Center research is not funded through the
Dirt and Gravel Road Program, but through outside grants. As
the Center continues to grow and expand, research is becoming
an increasingly important part of our overall mission. Below
are some past and present research project done by the Center:
Effect
of Road Dust on Forest Soils and Roadside Vegetation
Completed July 2009-
Quantification the effect of dust from native surface and limestone
roads on the soil chemistry and vegetation along forest roads
in Centeral Pennsylvania.
Chesapeake
Bay Commission Sediment Reduction Study
Completed June 2008- through Chesapeake Bay
Commission and PA DEP
Quantification of sediment reductions from several ESM practices
advocated by the Program including Driving Surface Aggregate,
additional drainage outlets, grade breaks, raising the road,
and berm removal.
Lebo Road Limestone
/ Sandstone Study (part of CBC study)
in progress - through Pa Bureau of Forestry
in conjunction with CBC project above
This study is in conjunction with the CBC study described above.
The goal is to test both limestone and sandstone section of
equivalent DSA in order to determine any performance or sediment
generation difference cause by the type of parent material used
for DSA. Results for this study are part of the CBC report above.
Conservation
Innovation Grant
in progress - USDA grant in cooperation with
Mifflin County
Implementation and sediment monitoring for several ESM practices
pm farm lanes in Mifflin County.
Crowfield
Road Aggregate Study
completed 2007 - through PA Bureau of Forestry
The commonly used road surface aggregates 2A, 2RC, and Driving
Surface Aggregate were placed side-by-side using by both tailgating
and use of a paver on Crowfield Road in Centre County. Changes
in aggregate surface elevation and profiles were measured for
three years after placement.
White
Deer Creek Dust Palliative Study
completed 2002 - through PA Bureau of Forestry
Several dust suppressants were applied to a section of White
Deer Creek Road in Union County. The suppressants were monitored
to determine the effectiveness of various treatments.
