Plants can be an important addition to the ROW as an aesthetic enhancement that blends highway structures with the surrounding environment. TxDOT is committed to use regionally appropriate vegetation within the roadways and on facility beautification projects. Whether in an urban context or a rural context, well-maintained projects enhance the community character and driver safety.

Roadside vegetation is maintained to accomplish specific goals:

Design alternatives should be reviewed to be sure that minimum standards are met for each of these issues. Most roadways are kept mowed to a height that accomplishes the needs of these issues and meets with the public’s expectations for the appearance of the roadside. Public standards should be considered when developing aesthetic programs that affect roadside vegetation.