This section describes the process of developing a LAMP, establishes the elements of the plan, and provides an example that can be used to develop plans for urban and rural corridors. shows the steps in developing a LAMP. The steps are explained in detail below.

The LAA provides a comprehensive picture of the existing land uses facing the designer. No matter the scope of the project or the stage of the design process, an assessment of some type must be performed to ensure that important issues are not overlooked. In this step, the designer uses the LAA to address key design considerations identified within the corridor. This may include (but not be limited to):

Once a designer has determined the best approach for meeting specific design goals, the process proceeds to the development of design refinement in Step 2.

The simplest form of a LAMP is a list of design detail palettes. These guidelines provide maximum design flexibility while ensuring harmony among the basic design elements described in other sections of this manual.

To guide the design of a transportation facility with respect to its landscape and aesthetics properties, there are five palettes within a basic LAMP Tool Kit:

A materials table organizes the selections made from the five palettes listed above.

Standard building materials are typically neutral in hues, though not all hues are complimentary. It is very important to coordinate the colors of materials used within a project. In so far as possible, all structures placed on the roadside or incorporated into the pavement surface, signage, and other appurtenances should take advantage of natural color and avoid the use of any finish requiring routine maintenance or replacement.

For example, painted surfaces should be avoided wherever possible. The color palette within the guidelines should list the material along with the source and the color name provided by that source (if available).

Finishes are also related to the natural color of the material. In the context of landscape and aesthetics design, finish has to do with the textural quality of the surface or any special surface treatment, such as vandal resistant finishes or sandblasting.

The palette would include, but not be limited to fencing, sign supports, guardrail supports, hardscape finishes below guardrails, delineators, crash barriers, rail terminators, luminaires, poles, and signals. These are small items but should coordinate with the major design components to ensure a harmonious composition.

This palette catalogues the elements that will be used for a variety of structures. It lists the considerations that would not necessarily be covered in the Materials Color palette, Materials Finish palette, or the Signage and Fixtures palette. For example, there are a variety of panel shapes that can be used for reinforced earth retaining walls as well as for the wall cap and termination. Likewise, the finish on materials such as concrete masonry units (CMU), segmented retaining wall (SRW) blocks, and walks can vary widely. Other elements that might be included are bent shapes and reveals, beam reveals, bent ends and connection types, special bridge rails and CTB, head and end wall railings, pedestrian separation railings, treatment of median voids, under bridge surfaces, and traffic channelization islands.

This section of the corridor plan requires a great deal of coordination between bridge, roadway, signs and signals, and environmental personnel. This section could be a simple table or may involve a more detailed catalog of design options based on the appropriate development zone. The concept of development zone is elaborated in Step 3.

A materials table organizes the selections made from the four palettes discussed above. A materials table may be used to view many different elements at one time and allows the designer to consider aesthetics issues for the corridor as a whole, rather than on a piece-by-piece basis. The list of elements shown in the materials table (MATTBL) is for example purposes.

The final list will vary with the project. The list should include as many elements as possible even if the element will be a generic type. This prompts comparison between these and elements that might be treated specially. In addition to the items already listed, other elements for consideration might include:

See for a description of different bridge components.

Plant materials should be divided into two sections. The first section would have recommendations for basic erosion control as well as appropriate landscape enhancements for the purpose of minimizing maintenance and ensuring a safe, sustainable roadside. The second section should specify proposed plant materials for ornamental purposes in cases where special interests or adjacent communities wish to partner with TxDOT for long term maintenance.

The application of the corridor LAMP will coordinate development to satisfy landscape and aesthetic concerns and ensure coordination with the natural and built elements of the highway.

This development zone concept is a key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of a highway corridor

. A development zone is a classification of the highway corridor that reflects the anticipated levels of intensity and character of landscape development. This includes all structures, pavement, and planted ROW maintained by TxDOT. After issues of safety have been addressed, the primary consideration as to the ultimate feasibility of a project will be the level of maintenance it will require to function as it is intended. The level of development is related directly to the department resources required for long-term maintenance, a combination of available funds and the pool of expertise available through the contracting and inspection process.

Three zone types are defined, which represent three different levels of development (see ). This is an element-based approach that uses the estimated development and maintenance considerations of structures, planting, surface treatment, mowing, and access to classify the project. The first two zones include ornamental landscape enhancements and require a community partner to assume responsibility for long-term maintenance. Zone III has no ornamental enhancements. All planting and other materials are used to reestablish native or adapted vegetation associations to achieve long-term erosion control and sustainability of the corridor.

This approach does not precisely quantify maintenance costs but does enable the designer to recommend preliminary resource allocation regarding maintenance levels and maintenance locations. The calculation of more accurate maintenance costs for any specific project will be performed as part of the site-design process.

Zone I has intensive development requiring frequent or intense landscape maintenance. Almost any type of structure and/or surface treatments may be in a Zone I development. All Zone I development is limited to projects where a public entity contracts with TxDOT to assume responsibility for all maintenance, except the pavement and associated structures.

Zone I development is generally discouraged on all state ROW due to the extreme maintenance requirements. Before a public entity is allowed to develop a ROW to this level, TxDOT should be satisfied that the entity seeking the partnership has the experience and wherewithal to maintain the development at an appropriate level and that the proposed development will in no way threaten the public health or safety.

This zone limits the types and placement of plant material and the length of time in which routine maintenance will be required. Maintenance activities for plants in this zone may be intermittent, perhaps only once per year or two years.

This zone includes landscape elements or treatments that require little or no long-term increase in maintenance.