For decades, many right-of-way vegetation programs have relied heavily on repeated mechanical mowing and reactive clearing cycles. While this approach may appear cost-effective in the short term, long-term industry research is increasingly showing the opposite.
Modern Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) programs, especially data-driven approaches like SmartROW™ are proving to reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve safety, lower operational risk, and create more sustainable ROW corridors.
A recent industry study “The Cost-Efficiency of IVM: A Comparison of Vegetation Management Strategies for Utility Rights-of-Way ” found that IVM-based ROW programs were consistently less costly and more beneficial over time when compared to repeated mechanical mowing programs.
The Problem with Repeated Reactive Mowing
Traditional ROW maintenance programs often rely on repeated mowing cycles designed to “reset” vegetation every few years. The issue is that mowing alone typically does not solve the underlying vegetation problem.
In many cases:
- Woody species rapidly regrow
- Stem density increases over time
- Access conditions deteriorate
- Visibility decreases
- Maintenance frequency remains high
- Long-term operational costs continue compounding
The study found that repeatedly mowed ROWs retained significantly higher incompatible stem densities and taller regrowth over time compared to IVM-managed corridors.
This creates a cycle where operators continually react to vegetation rather than proactively managing it.
What Makes IVM Different?
Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) focuses on establishing stable, compatible plant communities instead of simply removing vegetation repeatedly.
According to the report, IVM is intended to:
“Create, promote, and conserve sustainable plant communities that are compatible with the intended use of the site.”
This approach combines:
- Selective herbicide applications
- Mechanical treatments where appropriate
- Vegetation assessments
- Long-term planning
- Compatible vegetation establishment
- Targeted control of incompatible woody growth
Rather than forcing the same maintenance method across every acre, IVM adapts management strategies based on terrain, vegetation type, environmental sensitivity, accessibility, and operational risk. It uses every tool in the bag – mechanical clearing, herbicides, and nature.
That philosophy is central to the SmartROW™ approach.
The Long-Term Cost Advantage of SmartROW™ and IVM
One of the most significant findings from the study was the economic comparison between repeated mowing and IVM-based vegetation management.
Over a 20-year maintenance period:
- Mechanical mowing programs had a projected present value cost of approximately $3,114
- IVM-based programs had a projected present value cost of approximately $1,412
That represents roughly:
55% lower long-term maintenance costs with IVM
Cost is only part of the equation.
The report also found that IVM-based programs reduced operational risk between treatment cycles by maintaining:
- lower incompatible stem density,
- lower average vegetation heights,
- and more stable vegetation conditions.
Repeated mowing programs reached average incompatible tree heights of approximately 15 feet, while IVM-managed corridors averaged closer to 9 feet.
For operators, this translates into:
- improved visibility
- better access
- reduced emergency response obstacles
- improved inspection capability
- easier aerial patrol visibility
- lower likelihood of deferred maintenance escalation
SmartROW™ is designed around this proactive philosophy — identifying risk early, planning strategically, and maintaining corridors before they become operational liabilities.
Lower Site Disturbance and Improved Sustainability
Another major advantage identified in the report was reduced site disturbance.
The study concluded that:
- repeated mechanized mowing creates substantially greater disturbance,
- increases soil disruption,
- and can contribute to erosion and environmental degradation over time.
By contrast, selective IVM treatments:
- minimize unnecessary disturbance,
- reduce repeated heavy equipment passes,
- and allow compatible vegetation communities to stabilize.
Practitioners surveyed in the study overwhelmingly rated IVM as causing less long-term site disturbance than repeated mowing.
This aligns directly with SmartROW™’s goal of creating sustainable, lower-maintenance corridors rather than repeatedly “starting over” every cycle.
Supporting Wildlife, Pollinators, and Native Habitat
One of the most overlooked advantages of modern IVM programs is environmental stewardship.
The report found that IVM-managed corridors often supported:
- stronger pollinator environments,
- better bird habitat,
- increased butterfly abundance,
- and improved amphibian and reptile diversity compared to repeated mowing programs.
This occurs because compatible grasses, native vegetation, shrubs, and pollinator-supportive species are allowed to establish and stabilize rather than being repeatedly cleared indiscriminately.
SmartROW™ programs can help operators:
- reduce unnecessary mowing frequency,
- establish native vegetation,
- improve habitat value,
- reduce erosion,
- and support broader ESG and sustainability initiatives.
In many cases, properly managed ROW corridors can become environmental assets rather than simply maintained utility spaces.
The Future of ROW Vegetation Management
The industry is moving toward smarter, data-driven, sustainability-focused ROW management strategies.
The report ultimately concluded that:
“An IVM-based strategy… is consistently and convincingly less costly than repeated treatments using only manual and mechanical techniques.”
At Lanracorp, SmartROW™ was built around these same principles:
- proactive planning,
- integrated vegetation management,
- GIS-driven visibility,
- operational efficiency,
- safety improvement,
- environmental responsibility,
- and long-term cost reduction.
The goal is not simply to clear vegetation.
The goal is to build a smarter, safer, more sustainable ROW program for the future