Right-of-Way Acquisition Duration Prediction Model for Highway Construction Projects

A key element in moving a highway construction project forward is the ability to acquire the right-of-way (ROW) in a timely manner. Delay in the acquisition process can lead to major delays to the construction phase. Identifying the delay factors will allow for a better acquisition management process. Thirty-five projects, with 1,478 parcels, acquired by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) were randomly selected for analysis to determine the factors affecting acquisition duration. The data were analyzed using Statistica7 software with $t$-test, correlation, scatter plot, and analysis of variance to gain understanding of the dataset; to test the null hypothesis (Ho) that no correlation exists between the control and experimental variables; and to statistically quantify the factors that contribute to acquisition duration delay through significance and standard multi- regression analysis. Condemnation ratio, number of revisions (design changes), and number of parcels per project were identified as significant factors that contributed to acquisition delay. A ROW acquisition regression prediction model was developed and then tested with a separate set of data to prove its applicability and validity in general terms.