2.4.4 Screen the Highway

Screening adjacent properties from view is usually the most expensive alternative depending on the length of the corridor that needs to be screened. Before the screening objective is adopted, be sure that the goal can be effectively met. Often, it is impossible to completely screen an objectionable view, and attempts to create a screen simply call more attention to the problem.
Keep in mind that the experience of a highway is a cumulative impression rather than an impression of a single point in time. In most cases, the most realistic screening scenarios are when the view of the highway needs to be screened from an adjacent property.
When screening is the design objective, the following design tools should be considered:
  • Place the screen material as close as possible to the viewer
    . The closer the screen is to the viewer the greater the area screened from view.
  • Ensure that screens observe setback and sight triangle requirements
    .
  • Use appropriate choices of structure and vegetation
    . Architectural solutions such as walls and fences generally require less frequent maintenance than the use of plant materials. Established trees with natural understory have favorable maintenance properties after establishment (see
    Figure 2-10
    ). However, this solution requires sufficient space and may not be acceptable in tight urban conditions.
  • Consider time constraints.
     Where time is a consideration, architectural solutions give the most immediate results. Planting by itself will take time to develop but is more visually appealing when mature. Where possible, combining architectural features with planting will produce the most favorable long-term result.
Plants reduce the scale of walls and prevent long, continuous sections from becoming monotonous.