Digital practices, such as 3D/4D modeling, e-Construction/eTicketing, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Infrastructure, are profoundly affecting how DOTs are delivering highway projects because they leverage data, the Internet, and mobile devices. These practices are enhancing project delivery through more effective collaboration and coordinated data exchange to limit errors at handoffs. DOTs are replacing paper and image-based workflows with more intelligent digital processes to tap the potential of digital information more fully for collaboration, productivity, and risk and quality management. For example, 3D design models provide better communication, virtual clash detection, and constructability evaluation before producing proposal documents or obtaining final construction pricing. eTicketing allows for enhanced materials quality management and faster payment. In addition, with artificial intelligence solutions on the horizon, agencies want to understand what is happening today and how that can help them prepare for the very near digital future. There is a need for  national research on the utilization of digital practices, the benefits realized, and how these practices are successfully deployed within the various project delivery methods.

The objective of this research is to evaluate the use and effectiveness of digital practices, nationally and internationally, for various project delivery methods, including alternative contracting methods (ACMs) where National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)/preliminary design, final design, construction, and sometimes maintenance/operations are integrated (e.g., design-build [DB], construction manager/general contractor [CM/GC], progressive design-build [PDB], public private partnerships [P3s]). 

The result of this study is a collection of tools and workflows to incorporate integrated digital practices into transportation projects, which would serve as a guide for DOTs to evaluate their potential use on specific projects. This research will include a series of case studies to identify effective practices, as well as limitations associated with using digital practices.