Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Catchment Ditches Along Ohio Roadways (05-1356)**
Abdul Shakoor, Kent State University
Jesse W. Davis, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

The effectiveness of catchment ditches along Ohio roadways was evaluated for 100 sites using the Oregon Rock Fall Hazard Rating System (RHRS), New York State Rock Slope Rating Procedure (RSRP), Colorado Rock Fall Simulation Program (CRSP), and Oregon Rock Fall Catchment Area Design Guide. Based on this evaluation, 48% of the ditches were ranked as adequate within an acceptable level of risk, 28 % were ranked as marginally adequate, and 24 % were ranked as inadequate. Although qualitative in nature, the ditch evaluation portion of the Oregon RHRS was found to be very useful. None of the ditches evaluated met the Ritchie ditch depth criteria. CRSP provided valuable information where the entire road cut was accessible for data collection. The Oregon Catchment Area Design Guide provided important remediation information. Remediation methods such as ditch widening, ditch regrading, ditch maintenance, and placement of catchment barriers were found to be effective at improving ditch performance.