Film Locations Glossary
Right of way
What is the right of way?
Also called public right of way, or ROW.
The right of way is the public land a road, footpath, or verge occupies, including the airspace above it.
Anything a production places in or over it, from a cone to a condor, generally needs an encroachment or lane closure permit from the authority that controls the road rather than from the film office. Assuming a curbside space is available because it looks empty is how a load-in gets stopped.
Example
A load-in assumes an empty curbside lane is available and is stopped by a parking officer within the hour. The lane is public right of way, and occupying it needed an encroachment permit from the roads authority, not the film office.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Controlled by the roads or highways authority, including the airspace above the road.
Common mistake
Reading an empty curbside lane as available. It is public right of way, and occupying it needs a permit from the roads authority rather than from the film office.
Related questions
- What counts as the public right of way?
- The land a road, sidewalk, or verge occupies, including the airspace above it, which is why a crane arm swinging over a sidewalk needs a permit.
- Who controls the right of way?
- The roads, highways, or transportation authority, not the film office, so occupying it is a separate application on a separate timeline.