As communities grow more reliant on the advancement of technology that operates utility networks for energy, telecommunications, water, and other essential services, transportation corridors have emerged as prime locations for the co-location of utility infrastructure. This trend offers significant potential for optimizing land use and reducing costs that would otherwise be incurred from building separate utility corridors. By using transportation rights-of-way (ROW) for utility infrastructure, both the transportation and utility sectors can benefit from shared maintenance schedules and infrastructure synergies. Other potential benefits that this approach offers are cost savings, optimized land use, and streamlined infrastructure development.

However, while the co-location of utility infrastructure within transportation ROW offers various advantages, significant challenges remain. One challenge is the limited availability of a standardized, sound, and efficient permitting process across jurisdictions. Current regulations and policies governing the use of ROW for utilities vary widely depending on the state or local jurisdiction. This variation can lead to misinterpretations and delays for both utility companies and state departments of transportation (DOTs) attempting to work within these frameworks.

The objective of this research is to provide stakeholders with a decision-making framework to navigate complex regulations, ensure public safety, and promote the sustainable development of utility infrastructure within transportation ROW. To develop the framework, the benefits and barriers associated with permitting utility infrastructure within transportation ROW would be examined. The framework could be used to analyze the outcomes of utility infrastructure deployment in this ROW and provide guidelines for more efficient and consistent permitting processes.