Land strip acquired for a highway before finalizing alignment: What is this full-width corridor technically called?

Introduction / Context:
Before constructing a highway, agencies acquire a continuous land strip wide enough to house the full facility and future expansions. Using the correct term avoids confusion between the paved width and total corridor width.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The query asks for the full land width acquired ahead of alignment finalization.
• Standard highway nomenclature is applied.

Concept / Approach:
Right of way (ROW) is the total land corridor acquired for the highway. It includes formation, shoulders, side slopes, drains, medians, verges, utilities, and space for future widening. The width of formation is only the prepared top platform (pavement + shoulders). Carriageway is the paved traffic lane area; roadway is sometimes used for formation plus shoulders and side drains but still less than the full land strip.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify that the question refers to full land corridor.Map to standard term: Right of way.Select ROW as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Typical master plans show ROW lines bounding the entire corridor, with formation and pavement occupying only part of it.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Formation width: smaller, only the prepared platform.
• Carriageway: only traffic lanes.
• Roadway (as used by some texts): not necessarily the entire purchased corridor.
• Shoulder width: just a component.

Common Pitfalls:

• Equating carriageway with ROW, leading to underestimated land acquisition.
• Ignoring space for utilities and future widening within the ROW.

Final Answer:
Right of way (ROW)