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CHAPTER 2 TASKS The approved work plan identified six tasks that serve as the main agenda for the project research; these are briefly summarized below. TASK 1âLITERATURE REVIEW AND AGENCY SURVEY A. Review of Technical Literature The team reviewed and evaluated the published technical literature on environmentally sensitive slope protection and erosion control. Included in the review were such sources as books, agency guidance manuals, handbooks, technical reports, journal articles, and conference or workshop pro- ceedings that have been published on the techniques. B. Survey of State Transportation and Regulatory Agencies The team surveyed the design staff of state DOTs and reg- ulatory agencies to identify unpublished information, such as performance data, drawings, specifications, and guidance pertaining to the application of the techniques. TASK 2âFORMULATION OF WORK PLAN A. Identification and Description of Environmentally Sensitive Techniques The team developed a hierarchical list and classification system for the techniques, including descriptions, design guidelines, and selection criteria for the various techniques. The team incorporated the list of techniques into a selection matrix that describes the functional applications, suitability for various river conditions, environmental attributes, and maintenance requirements of each technique. B. Special Topic Modules The team developed summaries on important topics that are related generally to the selection, design, and imple- mentation of environmentally sensitive streambank- and 4 channel-protection measures. These discussions and guidelines are referred to herein as special topics. C. Selection System The team developed selection criteria and incorporated them into an expert selection system that may be used to identify techniques that are suitable for specified river con- ditions, erosion problems, and economic constraints and that address specified environmental goals or objectives. TASK 3âINTERIM REPORT Information developed in Tasks 1 and 2 formed the main basis for an interim report. At a minimum the interim report included the following: 1. A literature review and evaluation of environmentally sensitive channel- and streambank-protection measures, 2. Results of a survey of state transportation and regula- tory agencies, 3. A complete list of environmentally sensitive channel- and bank-protection techniques for which the research team will develop guidance, 4. Complete design guidance (fact sheet, specifications, information in text and tabular format, and well-refined drafting examples) for one of the environmentally sen- sitive channel- and bank-protection techniques in each major group, 5. A status report on the development of the expert selec- tion system using the Exsys CORVID software, and 6. A revised proposed work plan attached as an appendix. The interim report was submitted as outlined; responses to panel comments on the report were also prepared and sub- mitted back to the panel. TASK 4âEXECUTION OF APPROVED WORK PLAN The team executed the approved work plan and developed selection criteria and design guidelines for the approved list of environmentally sensitive channel- and bank-protection
techniques. In addition to the techniques, special topics were developed and prepared. A. Technique Descriptions Design guidelines for each technique were finalized. Most of the guidelines include rules for selection criteria, materi- als needed, construction specifications, detail drawings in .dwg (AutoCAD) and .dgn (MicroStation) formats, photos and other images, .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) project case studies (if available), and source references. B. Critical Evaluation of Stream Classification Systems The research included a review and evaluation of stream classification systems as a possible tool for stream restoration and technique selection/design. In this regard several differ- ent types of classification systems, such as Buffington and Montgomery (1997) or the various Channel Evolution Mod- els (Simon, 1989; Schumm, et al. 1984), were considered. Finally, the simple system developed by Brice and Blodgett (1978) for application to transportation infrastructure issues in the river environment was adopted. C. Case Study Descriptions Important case studies from the literature, from field site visits, from reports and discussions with state highway agen- cies, and from the personal experience of team members were selected for inclusion in the final report. 5 D. Selection and Specification of Plant Materials The final report includes selection criteria and available resources for locating plant materials. Extensive and detailed information on plant materials suitable for different climatic, soil, and local site conditions can be found in appendices to some of the publications noted in Chapter 3, Literature Review and Evaluation. TASK 5âPREPARATION OF SUPPORTING TOOLS Task 5 primarily involved designing and drafting the sup- porting technical drawings in both .dwg and .dgn formats. Construction specifications for the techniques were finalized at this time. This task also included development, collection, and formatting of photographs, charts, tables, figures, and other visual material. This material was used throughout the final report, the final CD product, and the expert system soft- ware program. TASK 6âFINAL REPORT The final report is supplemented with a CD-ROM that is attached into a sleeve on this report cover. This report is a synthesis of the information provided on the accompanying CD-ROM. It includes technical information, the list of tech- niques, and instructions on how to use the technique selection system. The full specifications, technical drawings in .dgn and .dwg formats, design considerations, the rule-based tech- nique selection system, and supporting documentation, such as case studies and photos, are on the accompanying CD.
