ROW is the property that a transportation company owns/operates on and through. It can include many acres of land, or just the land the track sits on plus a minimal clearance area to each side. ROW can also mean something with road or marine traffic. The rules and laws governing ROW usage and operation are somewhat complicated, but for heavy rail subway etc basically it means you can put track down, build infrastructure to support rolling stock, its storage, upkeep, etc. Sunnyside yard is the largest ROW in an urban area, and only exists as we know it because PRR bought the land before the area was developed as it is today. LIRR west side yard ROW only applies to the grade of the yard and not air rights, some ROW retain air rights for future expansion of structures & services, or to maintain the loading gauge for proper clearances.
- Andy