The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has approximately 186,121 acres of right-of-way (ROW) for roads in the State Highway System (SHS), about half of which are vegetated. As in many states, turfgrass is often used to stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and provide a clear recovery zone for vehicles that leave the highway. To meet these goals, roadside vegetation managers must maintain turf in a relatively healthy condition, a byproduct of which is aesthetic appeal. However, maintaining turfgrass results in a financial liability due to maintenance costs—$38.5 million in 2011-12 alone, a third of which was mowing.

US Transportation Collection