Evaluation of Highway Mowing Procedures for the Reduction of Mower Thrown ObjectAccidents

摘要

Control of roadside vegetation is achieved primarily through mowing operationsand the use of herbicides. An unfortunate side effect of mowing operations to manage vegetation growth is the occurrence of mower thrown object (MTO) accidents. The most significant effort to reduce mower thrown object accidents is for mowers to travel opposite traffic flow. A computer database of mower accidents was developed to determine the effectiveness of mowing against traffic on the severity and frequency of accidents. A detailed analysis of the underlying concepts related to thrown objects and mower direction was performed. Surveillance of mowing operations showed the degree and ease of implementation of mowing against traffic. Modifications of the mowing against traffic requirement are presented along with other recommendations on increasing safety on Texas roadways for both mower operators and motorists and increasing the efficiency of highway mowing.