Low-maintenance vegetative evaluations are conducted for, and in cooperation with, the Virginia Department of Transportation. The primary purpose is to identify seeded species and/or cultivars that will perform under the harsh and varied environmental conditions found alongside roadsides in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic geographic region.

The minimal input management practices utilized in these trials differ traditional fine turf evaluation trials. Moisture is exclusively dependent upon rainfall events, with no supplemental irrigation available. Seeding rates are reduced, mowing occurs two to three times yearly, and other than an establishment application, fertility does not occur. The management parameters utilized make these tests unique in evaluating establishment and persistence performance.