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

Background - Right-of-way (ROW) engineering is a term describing tasks that address existing ROW conditions and the proposed ROW needs identified throughout the project delivery process. It can also be a description of the personnel that specifically perform this work. ROW engineering within state departments of transportation (DOTs) bridges the gap between real estate and engineering responsibilities related to transportation projects. State DOT ROW engineering activities involve review and assessment of ROW and project design requirements as well as coordination with those responsible for the acquisition of ROW. Accomplishing these activities involves confirming ROW ownership and location, identifying existing property rights (e.g., underlying fee, easements, and agreements), validating adequacy and type of acquisitions, and assessing design requirements for constructability. 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): (1) Activities involved in ROW engineering. These activities may include timing of the ROW engineering process, ROW design, location, mapping and documenting easements, analyzing plans, land ownership verification, and active engagement in transportation project development; (2) State DOTs’ staffing configurations for ROW engineering tasks, including functional roles for all team members. Document variations in process for decentralized offices; (3) Practices for ROW engineering risk assessment and analysis to mitigate delays and cost increases; (4) ROW engineering staff qualifications, training, and educational requirements; (5) Procedures for ROW engineering documentation and internal workflows, and interdepartmental coordination procedures; (6) Types of tools and processes used for tracking and management of ROW engineering; (7) Different ROW engineering processes for different contracting methods from a typical design-bid-build project; and (8) Successes and challenges between state DOTs with dedicated or designated ROW engineering personnel, and those that rely on personnel from other associated disciplines 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. Information sources (partial): (1) Ashuri, B., Chung, F., Zeng, S., Jallan, Y., and Baek, M. (2020). Estimating ROW Acquisition Project Timelines for Major Projects Based on Analyzing ROW Acquisition Processes: Phase I (No. FHWA-GA-21-183). Georgia. Dept. of Transportation. Office of Performance-Based Management and Research. (2) Chung, F., and Ashuri, B. (2022). Comparative Analysis of Right of Way Acquisition Processes by State DOTs. In Construction Research Congress 2022 (pp. 964–973). (3) Jeong, D., Gransberg, D. D., Park, H., and Shelar, N. 2016. Barriers to Right-Of-Way Acquisition and Recommendations for Change. Saint Paul, MN: Minnesota DOT Research Services & Library. (4) Quiroga, C., Tsapakis, I., Kraus, E., and Holik, W. (2017). Management of Real Property Acquisition Activities at TxDOT (No. FHWA/TX-14/0-6892-1). Texas Department of Transportation. (5) Quiroga, C., Tsapakis, I., Overman, J., Anderson, S., Harrison, L., Souder, A., Adkins, A., Cooney, R., Neblett, R., and Anderson, W. B. (2014). NCHRP Report 771: Strategies to Optimize Real Property Acquisition, Relocation Assistance, and Property Management Practices. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/22252.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5988
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $65,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 57-11

• Sponsor Organizations:

  State Departments of Transportation (participating member states of American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO))

  American Association of State Highway 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
• Managing Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001
• Project Managers:

  Larson, Sandra

• Start Date: 20260831
• 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: Project 20-05, Topic 57-11
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 26 2025 4:08PM