Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-11. Practices for Implementing Right-of-Way Engineering

Right-of-way (ROW) engineering is a term describing tasks that address existing ROW conditions and proposed ROW needs during the project design process. It is also a designation for the teams that specifically perform this work. ROW engineering teams within state departments of transportation (DOTs) bridge the gap between real estate functions and engineering functions related to transportation projects. ROW engineering activities involve review and assessment of ROW and construction plans as well as coordination with those state DOT units that acquire ROW. Accomplishing these activities involves confirming ROW ownership, identifying existing property rights (e.g., underlying fee, easements, and agreements), validating adequacy and type of acquisitions, and assessing designs for constructibility. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices for ROW engineering. Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): Activities involved in ROW engineering (e.g., land ownership verification and easement identification). These activities may also include ROW design, mapping and documenting easements, analyzing plans, and active engagement in transportation project development. State DOTs’ staffing configurations for ROW engineering tasks, including functional roles for all team members. Document variations in process for decentralized offices. ROW engineering staff qualifications, training, and educational requirements. Processes for tracking and management of ROW engineering; Types of tools used in ROW engineering. Procedures for ROW engineering documentation and internal workflows, and interdepartmental coordination procedures. Associated successes and challenges between state DOTs with designated ROW engineering teams, and those that rely on various teams to perform the same tasks. Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5988

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $65,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  20-05/Topic 57-11

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  McKenney, Christopher

• Start Date: 20241001
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highway planning; Right of way (Land); State departments of transportation
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01972925
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: 20-05/Topic 57-11
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 26 2025 4:08PM