Innovations in Accommodation of Longitudinal Utility Installations Along Controlled-Access Highways Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The installation of utilities on controlled-access right-of-way corridors requires state departments of transportation (DOTs) to balance the needs of the traveling public with the rights of utility owners and to achieve the most efficient installation possible without compromising safety and spending more public dollars than necessary. A recent survey of DOTs identified and synthesized practices for managing longitudinal utility installations on controlled-access highway right-of-way. The survey gave special emphasis to the following topics: ( a) use of utility corridors by state DOTs to accommodate utility facilities longitudinally on controlled-access right-of-way (a utility corridor was defined as a specified zone within the right-of-way where multiple longitudinal utilities were required to be located by agency policy or practice); ( b) mechanisms that state DOTs use to acquire right-of-way jointly with utility owners for the use of utility facilities; and ( c) other policies, strategies, and practices to accommodate and manage longitudinal utility facilities on controlled-access right-of-way. This paper provides an overview of survey results, including key management issues for utility facilities during regular permitting and DOT project development, innovative practices to manage utilities in the state DOT right-of-way, and examples in which states have successfully implemented innovative practices. The research team found that most DOTs (88%) actively manage longitudinal utility installations on controlled-access right-of-way. The most effective agencies strike a balance between minimizing costs associated with securing right-of-way, accommodating increasing mobility needs with finite resources, and ensuring safety for travelers to the greatest degree possible.

published proceedings

  • TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD

author list (cited authors)

  • Kraus, E., & Quiroga, C.

citation count

  • 1

complete list of authors

  • Kraus, Edgar||Quiroga, Cesar

publication date

  • January 2016