Detroit Crews Use RC Mowers for Freeway Lawn Work

While many people in Michigan enjoy seasonal yard work, others can’t stand the thought of mowing the lawn—let alone trimming, edging, and weed-whacking. But what if your “lawn” covered 240 miles of grass?

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That’s the massive task taken on by a Detroit maintenance crew responsible for mowing the freeway landscape around the Motor City. The amount of time, effort, and physical labor it takes to maintain nearly 250 miles of freeway is intense. Thankfully, new technology is helping them get the job done faster, safer, and more efficiently.

Detroit Takes Over Freeway Maintenance

Two years ago, the City of Detroit took over freeway maintenance responsibilities from the State of Michigan and MDOT. Today, crews maintain both sides of nearly 250 miles of freeway running in and around Detroit.

Now, with cutting-edge tech provided by Payne Landscaping, much of the work is handled by remote-controlled (RC) lawn mowers. According to the company’s director, Terry Payne, their new fleet of five RC mowers provides a serious safety upgrade for highway workers. These machines can be operated from up to 50 feet away, keeping crew members out of harm’s way.

Remote-Control Mowers: A Safer Solution

Whether you’re working construction or just cutting grass near a busy road, the danger of a reckless or impaired driver is always present. Drivers can cross lanes, hit barriers—or worse. That’s what makes this tech a game-changer. Payne explained:

In the past, I’ve had guys on riding mowers actually fall over into the freeway. This is more comfortable; you just walk behind it and follow the machine.