The National Academies Press

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Pages 185-201

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From page 185... ... The research team focused primarily on the agency interviews when completing the review because the literature search revealed little information on ROW cost estimation and cost estimate management. The review and analysis of practices were accomplished by the project team relying on their individual cost estimating expertise. Read the entire page →
From page 186... ... The ROW-specific steps summarized here in generic form are used, to some degree, for each of the ROW cost estimates prepared during project development. ROW requirements, which are defined by the project scope, establish the ROW estimate basis. Read the entire page →
From page 187... ... In general, project scope definition is an integral part of establishing the estimate basis; this also holds true for the ROW cost estimate. Many of the SHAs interviewed do not spend much time defining the project scope during the early stages of project development and consequently, this lack of definition increases the uncertainty with respect to ROW requirements. Read the entire page →
From page 188... ... Using a percentage provides a quick and easy method for computing a ROW cost estimate when ROW requirements are lacking. Although the percentage-based approach is quick and easy, two SHAs are of the opinion that these estimates are usually inaccurate and contribute to the cost escalation experienced on projects. Read the entire page →
From page 189... ... Therefore, the critical review in this section discusses programming and preliminary design ROW cost estimation together. In general, and depending on project complexity there may be a number of cost estimates prepared during the programming phase. Read the entire page →
From page 190... ... Very few of the documented procedures discussed ROW cost estimation or ROW cost estimate management processes. Caltrans is one agency that has a ROW manual which includes ROW cost estimation. Read the entire page →
From page 191... ... Involving ROW personnel in design analyses can help to avoid costly project delays resulting from delays in ROW acquisition. Historical Data Most SHAs do not use robust historical data when preparing a ROW cost estimate during programming and preliminary design of a project. Read the entire page →
From page 192... ... This risk issue is critical when preparing estimates in general and can be particularly important to determining contingency amounts for a ROW cost estimate. Performing a risk analysis alerts the project participants of cost risks during the estimating process. Read the entire page →
From page 193... ... It should be noted that analyzing the possible future development in an area can be difficult to predict, especially on vacant parcels, but the estimator has a better grounding for making a judgment to account for risk. Following the field visit, the estimator will complete the risk analysis by identifying and evaluating all factors that may affect the project. Read the entire page →
From page 194... ... The issue of risk analysis and the setting of contingency were raised during the original NCHRP Project 8-49 study and is a concern when considering ROW cost estimating. Contingency funds are typically applied in response to some project uncertainty or to account for inadequate scope definition (Anderson et al., 2007b) Read the entire page →
From page 195... ... Appendix D D-11 Figure 2. Screen capture of VDOT's cost estimating system (PCES) Read the entire page →
From page 196... ... Figure 3. Screen capture of VDOT's cost estimating system (PCES) Read the entire page →
From page 197... ... A "mini estimate" is an estimate completed on several parcels within the project that may have a high effect on the ROW cost. High effect parcels are those where a large damage amount is expected or ones having many improvements. Read the entire page →
From page 198... ... ROW cost management. Cost estimation management is defined by NCHRP Report 574 as "a process for evaluating changes in scope and other issues that affect project cost." These evaluations should be preformed for each cost estimate prepared during the project development process (Anderson et al., 2007a) Read the entire page →
From page 199... ... This examination applies both to managing ROW cost and total project cost. ROW Cost Management During Final Design For ROW the final design phase of project development typically marks the point where cost estimation is phased out and appraisal and acquisition actions begin. Read the entire page →
From page 200... ... ROW Cost Management A technique of managing actual costs reflected by tracking appraisals and acquisition costs against the preliminary design cost estimate. Table 1. Read the entire page →
From page 201... ... The appendix also discussed ROW management in relation to both the management of the estimates completed during preliminary design and the management of actual costs during final design. Additionally, the appendix summarizes the successful practices discovered through agency interviews. Read the entire page →

From page 185...

... The research team focused primarily on the agency interviews when completing the review because the literature search revealed little information on ROW cost estimation and cost estimate management. The review and analysis of practices were accomplished by the project team relying on their individual cost estimating expertise.