Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-2006-001

The National Highway Institute (NHI)

901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 300

Arlington, VA 22203

www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov

Training Update

Revised Uniform Act Leads to Update Of the Advanced Relocation Course

A number of State departments of transportation (DOTs) have experienced loss of institutional knowledge through attrition, downsizing, and retirement. In addition, Local Public Agencies (LPAs) are carrying out more and more Federal-aid projects. The result is LPA staff people who may not be right-of-way professionals and have widely different levels of experience.

In January 2005, the final rule for the Uniform RelocationAssistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 as amended (Uniform Act) was revised. In accordance with these changes, the National Highway Institute's (NHI) course Advanced Relocation (FHWA-NHI-141030) was updated to reflect the most current regulatory information. This is the first of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and NHI real estate courses to be revised to reflect the changes in the rule.

This course provides a mechanism to convey answers to complex relocation assistance questions, but also assists by providing attendees with a framework for addressing similar questions that they will encounter during the performance of their duties.

FHWA wants to ensure that those who are displaced as a result of a federally aided project or program are provided appropriate benefits and treatment. One way to do this is by ensuring that State DOT and LPA personnel have an appropriate understanding of the requirements.

FHWA has offered the Advanced Relocation course for 6 years. The course is much requested by the right-of-way community. This version represents the first major revision with significant adult-learning enhancements.

The response has been extremely positive. "I can't say enough good things about NHI's updated Advanced Relocation course," said Sam Hester, assistant division administrator for right-of-way and utilities for the Virginia Department of Transportation. "I observed the 3-day pilot and found the course materials excellent and well presented by qualified, highly knowledgeable instructors. Further, the instructors took steps to incorporate our State policies and practices in their presentation, which made it extremely relevant to those attending. In fact, the participants were engaged throughout the entire 3 days of the session."

In NHI's Advanced Relocation course, attendees determine eligibility for certain payments for those who were relocated and buy a new home, such as the couple shown here.

The suggested prerequisites for this course are the completion of the Basic Relocation course (FHWA-NHI-141029) and the Web course Real Estate Acquisition Under the Uniform Act: An Overview (FHWA-NHI-141045), or approximately 1 year of experience working in the relocation program.

This course relies on traditional instructor-led segments, videos, and case studies with group presentations of case study answers. The course also employs group interaction, Federal regulations, and other course materials targeted at solving problems.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to do the following:

• Explain the principles that govern relocation provisions of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 and implementing regulations.
• Describe at least three factors involved in difficult relocation subject areas.
• Describe issues that may arise when developing advisory assistance plans for difficult relocation areas.
• Determine eligibility for certain relocation payments in difficult relocation cases.
• Determine challenging issues when calculating complex nonresidential moving costs.
• Calculate complex nonresidential moving costs.

The course is designed for Federal, State, and local public agencies, FHWA personnel, right-of-way contractors, and other interested persons.

For more information on the course, contact Arnold Feldman at 202-366-2028 or arnold.feldman@fhwa.dot.gov. To schedule a course, contact the NHI Training Coordinator at 703-235-0534 or nhitraining@fhwa.dot.gov. To obtain information about all NHI courses, accessthe course catalog at www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov or contact NHI at 703-235-0500 (phone) or 703-235-0593 (fax).