NCHRP Research Report 1153: Digital Model–Based Project Development and Delivery: A Guide for Quality Management presents state-of-the-art information to assist state departments of transportation (DOTs) in their review of three-dimensional (3D) models that are contractually binding and to advance the use of digital project development and delivery. The guide provides suggestions based on extensive review and study of the state of practice and industry trends. The findings will be a valuable resource for state DOTs and other public transportation agencies.

State DOTs have begun changing the medium of construction contract documents from paper or two-dimensional (2D) plans to 3D models that are contractually binding. The driver of this major change is the ability for contractors and inspectors to use 3D models directly to support project activities and communicate the design intent. However, changing the medium of construction contract documents has created challenges for state DOTs, including a lack of robust review and documentation procedures as well as automated quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) management processes for 3D models. The procedures for reviewing 2D plans are well established but do not translate easily to 3D models. There was a need to develop procedures that state DOTs can use for their review of 3D models, including data validation as well as QC and QA, and provide opportunities to automate the review and documentation procedures.

Under NCHRP Project 10-113, “Quality Management for 3D Model-Based Project Development and Delivery,” HDR Engineering, Inc. was asked to provide a guide to assist state DOTs with developing quality management processes for a 3D model–based approach for project development and delivery. The research includes a data dictionary for quality management metadata and a review checklist spreadsheet.

The research team’s documentation of the guide development process and the entire research effort is available on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies .org) by searching for NCHRP Web-Only Document 428: Quality Management for Digital Model–Based Project Development and Delivery.

In addition, the following materials can be found on the website by searching for NCHRP Research Report 1153: Digital Model–Based Project Development and Delivery: A Guide for Quality Management:

• Appendix F Addendum: Review Checklist Spreadsheet,
• Implementation plan, and
• Guide Overview (webinar slides).