Steps are provided to capture loose material, seed, and moisture. For appearance, steps on small cuts viewed from the roadway should be cut parallel to the road grade. Steps less than one-half full should not be cleaned. High cuts viewed from surrounding areas should be analyzed before a decision is made to form steps parallel to the roadway or horizontal. In some cases, horizontal steps may be more desirable.
Special study is also necessary when a sag occurs in the vertical alignment within the cut.
In all cases at the ends of cuts, the steps should wrap around the rounded transition. Some irregularity will improve the appearance of the slope by making it appear more natural. In designing step width, the material's weathering characteristics should be considered. Widths over approximately 0.6 m should be avoided because of prominence and excessive time to achieve a weathered and natural appearance. Contact the Office of Structural Foundations if questions arise about the width of steps.