Author(s):
P.E. Krugler, R.M. Feldman, S.I. Butenko, D. Kang, R. Seyedshohadaie, C.M. Chang-Albitres
Publication Date
December 2009
Abstract
This project summary report summarizes the research performed in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-5534. Acquiring right-of-way (ROW) parcels early in the planning process, before speculation increases ROW costs, can potentially save taxpayers a considerable amount of money. TxDOT needs tools to quantify those potential savings to ensure that currently allowed early-acquisition practices are applied optimally and to determine whether legislative changes should be pursued. The research team investigated the potential of simulation, optimization, and decision analysis management science tools to provide decision support for TxDOT in determining when and how much to pursue early acquisition of ROW. Investigation showed that simulation and optimization were best suited for this application, and development of two tools proceeded. Using historical ROW acquisition data and interviews with senior TxDOT ROW professionals, researchers developed TAMSIM as the simulation tool to provide statistical measures of the impact that ROW acquisition timing can have on an individual project's cost and completion date. The second tool, EROW, is the optimization-based tool using dynamic programming for simultaneously considering numerous projects to develop recommendations for optimal system-wide use of early-acquisition procedures. These tools now allow district offices and the Right of Way Division to quantitatively analyze potential taxpayer cost savings from early acquisition of ROW parcels.
Report Number:
0-5534-S
Link(s):
Document/Product
http://library.ctr.utexas.edu/hostedpdfs/txdot/psr/5534.pdf
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