Interstate Interventions, the productive interchange of the future

Douglas, David Scott

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/89885 Copy

Description

Title

Interstate Interventions, the productive interchange of the future

Author(s)

Douglas, David Scott

Issue Date

2016-04

Keyword(s)

Landscape Architecture

Abstract

My thesis project is a study of possible improvements to the 50,000 acres of grassy medians and shoulders along the Interstate corridors in Illinois. The end product will be a design manual and decision matrix for the selection of ecological, economic, safety, and/or educational improvements along the corridor. This rendering of exit 159 on Interstate 74, near Farmer City, Illinois, shows an example of how we could better utilize these void spaces along the corridor. Possible improvements include the addition of solar panels elevated over bioretention ponds within the vacant land between the Interstate and the offramp. Utilizing these areas for power generation could produce an estimated 8.8 million kilowatt hours of power, enough to meet the demands of the residences in Farmer City. The bioretention ponds could store over 8.2 million gallons of water, holding it for infiltration into the groundwater system or filtering it before releasing it into a nearby creek. The surrounding wildflower plantings would support pollinator species including native bees and monarch butterflies. By taking steps to utilize these spaces along the interstate corridor, we could transform our aging, 60 year old Interstate system into a 21st century marvel.

Type of Resource

• text
• image

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/89885

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 David Scott Douglas

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