Video summary

FHWA Right-of-Way Cost Estimation Research and GIS Demonstration

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

FHWA Research Purpose

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is studying how State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) estimate right-of-way (ROW) costs, and demonstrating a GIS-based proof of concept for preliminary cost estimation.

Report 1: State of the Practice ROW Cost Estimation Practices

What the report covers

  • A nationwide survey of state DOT ROW cost-estimation procedures.

Key takeaway

  • No state DOT uses a standalone ROW cost estimating calculator.
  • Instead, DOTs use a mix of approaches such as:
    • annual systems
    • electronic ROW cost management systems

Data needs for electronic estimation

  • Identifying parcels affected
  • Determining factors impacting market value
  • Accounting for other costs and contingencies

Common challenges

  • Uncertainty in determining fair market value
  • State/regional differences
  • Values changing over time (e.g., design changes)
  • Lack of qualified personnel

Assessment conclusion

  • Creating accurate ROW estimates is difficult, largely due to:
    • market valuation uncertainty
    • evolving project/context factors

Report 2: ROW Cost Estimation Strategies and the Application of GIS

What the report covers

  • Focuses on using GIS to develop better ROW cost estimates.
  • Includes recommendations from peer exchange participants (ROW planning and GIS leaders from:
    • Wisconsin
    • Minnesota
    • Georgia
    • Tennessee DOTs)

Collaboration themes emphasized

  • Early and ongoing communication between planning and ROW teams
  • Sharing best practices, resources, and tools

How GIS can help (agreed by the group)

  • GIS can consolidate partial information from different data sets to support analysis.

Web-based GIS Proof of Concept (Demo)

Demo overview

  • Name: “web-based GIS + parcel database” (ArcGIS Portal)
  • Built to show how users can access a tool via a web browser without installing GIS software locally.
  • Although demonstrated with Esri ArcGIS Portal, the underlying ideas are intended to work across other GIS platforms.

What the Demo Application Does (Technically)

The app uses map layers and interactive widgets to support preliminary ROW estimation:

  1. Project location / alternatives layer

    • Example shows bridge replacement alternatives (e.g., Alternative A and Alternative B).

  2. Parcel property class layer

    • Categorizes parcels (residential, commercial, manufacturing, agricultural, etc.).
    • Includes aerial imagery as contextual reference (imagery may be 1–3 years old).

  3. Total assessed value layer

    • Parcels are themed by assessed value (green = lower, red = higher).
    • Helps users visually evaluate how corridor adjustments may avoid higher-value parcels or other areas (e.g., parks).

Data source highlighted

  • Brown County parcel database (Brown County, Wisconsin)
  • Notes that Wisconsin provides a statewide parcel GIS database, making parcel integration easier.

Preliminary Cost Estimation Workflow in the Demo

  1. The user selects parcels that intersect a chosen corridor alternative

    • Example: select-by-line along Alternative A.

  2. The app reports:

    • number of selected parcels (example: 23 parcels)
    • aggregated total assessed value (example: about $4.9M / ~$5M) as a preliminary cost proxy.

CSV export feature

  • Selected parcel data can be exported to CSV for use in spreadsheet-based ROW cost calculators (commonly Excel-based in many state DOT workflows).

Editable attributes for refinement

  • Users can edit fields such as ROW complexity (e.g., “highly complex” if parcels are near manufacturing and have higher value).
  • A notes field is available for additional context.

Scope limitation (important)

The preliminary estimate shown relies mainly on assessed value because it is readily available in parcel datasets.

The speaker acknowledges that real ROW cost estimates typically include additional components such as:

  • easements
  • wetland mitigation
  • relocation costs
  • contingencies

Intended use

  • Positioned as an early-stage/scoping tool to help:
    • compare alternatives
    • narrow options before deeper project development

Purpose / Benefit Claim (Wrap-up)

  • Using web-delivered GIS tools can provide a faster way to generate preliminary ROW cost estimates.
  • However, getting data into usable GIS formats and building the supporting application requires substantial behind-the-scenes work.

Main Speakers / Sources

  • Mark Sarmiento (FHWA Office of Planning): leads the research overview and performs the GIS demonstration.
  • FHWA: source of the two published research reports and the peer exchange recommendations.

Original video