Section 1: Types of Mowing

Overview

Each of the two levels (Developed Urban or Rural) as described in Chapter 1 contains specific guidelines for when to perform modified full-width, strip and spot mowing for safety. This section describes each of these three types of mowing and provides standards for how the work is to be done.

Modified Full-Width Mowing

Modified full-width mowing includes all unpaved right of way, except for delineated non-mow or natural areas.
To promote cost savings, on rural roadways with very wide rights-of-way or medians, mowing shall be limited to a maximum of 30 foot width.
Generally, non-mow or natural areas would begin at the toe of the slope in fill areas or the back of the ditch for cut sections, as long as clear zone requirements are met.
The frequency of modified full-width mowing for a given roadway will depend on the level of vegetation management assigned to that segment of roadway
as described in Chapter 1 of this manual
.

Exceptions to the 30 Foot Modified Full-Width Mowing Policy

The District Engineer may consider exceptions to the policy based on the following criteria:
  • Distance to right-of-way
  • Brush control
  • Adjacent land use
  • Wildlife incident history/potential
  • Wildlife history/potential
  • Drainage issues
  • Other factors.
Modified Full-Width Mowing in Llano County. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-1. Modified Full-Width Mowing in Llano County.

Strip Mowing

Mowing the area 14 to 15 feet from the edge of the shoulder (whether paved or unpaved) is called strip mowing. In addition to the strip along the shoulder, all strip mowing operations will include:
  • mowing from the pavement edge or shoulder to the right-of-way line to developed areas (cemeteries, schools, churches, private dwellings, community centers, etc.)
  • all mowing necessary to maintain adequate sight distances for intersections, private entrances, curves, off-ramps, on-ramps, signs, delineators and other appurtenances
  • mowing around all appurtenances (signs, delineators, guardrail, culvert headwalls, etc.) that are within the designated strip width
  • mowing the entire width of narrow medians of 15 feet or less and outer separations
  • mowing full-width,
    a maximum of 30 foot width
    , from right of way to right of way for drainage where appropriate
  • mowing a smooth and gradual transition that will blend the designated strip width with other areas that require a greater or lesser mowing width.
(Special situations, such as rural medians, intersections and transitions, are further explained in the following two sections.)
Figures 2-2 to 2-6 show examples of typical strip mowing operations.
 Strip Mowing in Austin District. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-2. Strip Mowing in Austin District.
 Strip Mowing. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-3. Strip Mowing.
Strip Mowing. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-4. Strip Mowing.
 Strip Mowing in Llano County. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-5. Strip Mowing in Llano County.
Strip mowing in Llano County. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-6. Strip mowing in Llano County.

Spot Mowing for Safety

Spot mowing will be performed when and where necessary to maintain adequate sight distances for inside curves, off-ramps, on-ramps, intersections, private entrances, signs, delineators, and other appurtenances. Spot mowing is generally performed when safety needs arise between scheduled strip mowing cycles.
 Spot Mowing. (click in image to see full-size image)
Figure 2-7. Spot Mowing.