Currently, there are no national level parameters in effect for conducting right-of-way (ROW) research. Practices vary in the timing and level of research activity. State departments of transportation (DOTs) may start ROW research during the planning phase or begin after 60% design. Similarly, state DOTs might perform ROW research for all parcels shown on plan or limit full research to impacted parcels only. Property interests, such as easements, may be found on plans or in separate documents, which can be problematic once plans are archived. In addition, title searches typically start later in project delivery and are frequently inaccurate or incomplete. ROW engineering teams have the skillset to perform chain-of-title research, identifying documents excluded from the title search. Therefore, research is needed to indemnify and unify the various procedures in which state DOTs perform ROW research and offer practical solutions to help organize and streamline state DOT methods.

The purpose of this research is to develop a compendium of best practices and strategies for ROW research in the project delivery process that:

• Documents current ROW research methods from DOTs, which address confirming ownership of the existing ROW and adjacent parcels.
• Examines all common types of property interests that are likely to be found in a design project.
• Assesses levels of ROW research conducted based on scope of design project.
• Recognizes and assesses relationships between ROW engineering staff and other state DOT teams involved in project development and their reliance on each other during the chain-of-title research process.