An examination of alternatives to Virginia's condemnation procedures.

19932693PDFTech Reporthttp://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/exam.htmlVTRC 89-R19VirginiaVirginia Transportation Research CouncilPerfater, Michael AVirginia Transportation Research CouncilUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-LAWS AND REGULATIONSUS Transportation CollectionThe study examined the condemnation process in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) by collecting information from attorneys, appraisers, judges, VDOT managers and staff, and other condemnors both within and outside Virginia. Of particular interest were alternatives that exist to the present procedure for selecting the condemnation tribunal and a determination of whether such alternatives hold promise for overcoming difficulties that may be associated with the existing system. A number of initiatives are identified that, if implemented, may result in improvements in Virginia's condemnation process. They include increasing the use of contract appraisers, especially in highly controversial cases; additional training for staff appraisers and negotiators; review of past cases in which awards were excessive; greater use of pretrial discovery; and, consideration of an alternative to the current methods for composing and selecting condemnation tribunal