TxDOT Guidebook for Right-of-Way Valuations and Negotiations

In fiscal year 1999, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA, 2003b) reported that the federal government spent nearly one billion dollars on right-of-way (R/W) acquisition. Because valuations and negotiations can have such a large impact on a project’s overall success, they are becoming particularly vital parts of the right-of-way acquisition process. Successful R/W valuations and negotiations depend on three criteria: time management, cost containment, and a good relationship with the public. However, it is difficult to achieve all three objectives at once because of the complex nature of the process. While project plans, surveys, and construction have relatively finite timelines, condemnation proceedings often make property acquisition last longer than expected or desired (NCHRP, 2000). Furthermore, a series of complex statutes, rules, and regulations creates additional challenges. Given the significance of R/W acquisition and its numerous challenges, it is crucial to evaluate and undertake effective strategies for successful valuations and negotiations. In order to facilitate effective R/W valuation and negotiation by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and its agents, this guidebook presents guidelines and documents recommended practices. Also, these guidelines are based on various reviews of the literature, research on the R/W process, analysis of databases, and interviews. They are intended for use by TxDOT’s R/W agents and outside consultants.

• Record URL:
  http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/0_5379_P2.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Center for Transportation Research, 3208 Red River Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78705

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Caldas, Carlos H
  • Zhang, Zhanmin
  • Kockelman, Kara M
  • Persad, Khali R
  • Chung, Eugene J
  • Medina, Doris V
• Publication Date: 2006-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 30p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Guidelines; Handbooks; Labor negotiations; Property acquisition; Property condemnation; Recommendations; Right of way (Land); Valuation
• Identifier Terms: Texas Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Research; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01051960
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Report No. 0-5379-P2
• Contract Numbers: Project 0-5379
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 25 2007 3:12PM