For many infrastructure projects, the right-of-way acquisition process can be an immovable object in the path of project delivery. While engineering and construction have advanced with new technologies and methodologies, the complex, human-centric challenge of property acquisition has remained a formidable and often unpredictable bottleneck.

A new playbook is emerging, powered by innovative strategies developed through tools like the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) Grant. For forward-thinking public agencies, this represents a paradigm shift, turning one of the most unpredictable project phases into a managed, accelerated process – with STV’s team of grant experts helping to drive the process forward with clients.

The Game-Changer: Acquisition Incentive Payment Programs (AIPP)

STV’s work with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) exemplifies this shift. A portion of the department’s RIA grant is dedicated to researching and implementing process improvements for ROW acquisition.

One of those outcomes is MCDOT’s nationally recognized innovation of the Acquisition Incentive Payment Program (AIPP), which is transforming ROW acquisition from a bottleneck into a streamlined, efficient process.

The AIPP presents a straightforward concept: offer property owners an additional financial incentive (typically a percentage of the appraised value) to facilitate the acceptance of the initial offer within a defined period (e.g., 30 days).

For Montgomery County’s Viers Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, STV helped MCDOT secure Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval for an incentive payment, as well as led a pilot phase for a separate project which dramatically shortened the acceptance rate for nearly 80% of properties.

While upfront incentives can appear costly, agencies can ultimately net project savings by avoiding construction delays, reducing administrative burdens and securing lower contract rates.

Beyond AIPPs: Comprehensive Strategies to Accelerate Project Delivery

STV’s navigation of RIA grant work extends beyond incentive payments. Our team provides a toolkit of strategies to reduce delays and improve project outcomes:

• Relocation Incentives: Encouraging early move-outs has proven effective in states like Virginia, where 403 tenants relocated in eight months, saving nearly $4.8 million in construction delays.
• Early ROW Plan Review: Engaging ROW experts at the 30% design stage identifies high-risk parcels and enables design adjustments, saving time immediately and costs later.
• Streamlined Internal Policies: Establishing clear procedures for settlements, relocation appeals and property management increases efficiency and consistency across projects.

Transforming ROW Risk into Predictable Project Success

Intelligent infrastructure requires intelligent acquisition strategies. By adopting tools like AIPPs and engaging in early ROW, agencies can convert potential delays into predictable, accelerated schedules.

The goal is more than faster project delivery: it’s about connecting communities to essential services sooner and optimizing public funds. For transportation and public works agencies facing persistent ROW challenges, the solution is clear: innovative strategies exist, they are approved and they work.