Landscape Design Guidelines

Roadways affect our daily lives in ways that most people may not immediately consider. Visual qualities of a place influence the first impressions of visitors and passersby, and provide daily enjoyment to residents and commuters alike. TDOT saw a need to develop a set of landscape design recommendations for the roadside environment that responds to safety requirements, design criteria and maintenance needs. The Landscape Design Guidelines are intended to aid in improving the roadside environment and raise the level of awareness of the surrounding landscape’s role in Tennessee’s roadway system. The guidelines below will provide a broad audience with recommendations to plan, design, install and manage the roadside environment for both new road projects and existing roadways.

In addition to these guidelines, TDOT's Guidelines for Gateway Projects may be useful for new projects in the planning phase. 

Landscape Design Guidelines:

• Introduction and Table of Contents (6.83 MB)
• Chapter 1 - Getting Started (3.5 MB)
• Chapter 2 - Landscape Classifications and Types (14.3 MB)
• Chapter 3 - Site Inventory and Analysis (2.16 MB)
• Chapter 4 - Design Development (28.9 MB)
• Chapter 5 - Installation and Maintenance (6.2 MB)
• Chapter 6 - Sample Design Solutions (26.1 MB)
• Chapter 7 - Pollinator Habitat Design (3.43 MB) - April 2024 Update
  
• Appendix
  • Appendix J - Existing Conditions Checklist
  • Appendix K - Plant List
  • Appendix L - References and Works Cited
  • Appendix M - Back Cover

Landscape Design Guidelines Specific to the Memphis-Area:

• Interchange Landscapes & Hardscapes - (9.12 MB) - April 2024 Update