According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), clear and properly designed road verges (sometimes referred to as “roadside safety clear zones”) are critical for highway safety and functionality because they provide lateral space for vehicles to recover safely, accommodate signage and utilities, and allow stormwater runoff to drain away from the pavement without creating hazardous conditions; research on roadside design shows that adequate verges reduce crash severity, improve drainage, and help protect infrastructure by minimizing roadside obstacles and giving drivers recovery room if they leave the travel lane.