BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an explosion of digital tools and practices to enhance how transportation agencies conduct business and deliver projects more collaboratively with partners. State departments of transportation (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. Digital practices such as three-dimensional (3D)/four-dimensional (4D) modeling, e-Construction/e-Ticketing, and building information modeling (BIM) for infrastructure are improving project delivery by enabling more effective collaboration and seamless data exchange, reducing errors during handoffs. However, integration of these digital practices remains largely ad hoc, particularly in areas like risk evaluation and management for project delivery. Research is needed on the utilization of digital project delivery practices within the transportation sector, the benefits achieved, and how these practices can be adapted to meet state DOT needs.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop a guide for implementing digital delivery practices from design through construction of the transportation infrastructure life cycle.

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS

PHASE I—Planning

Task 1. Conduct a literature review of research, policies, implementation plans and strategies, and the state of the practice on digital project delivery relevant to this research. The review shall include published and unpublished documentation, past surveys, pilot projects, and research conducted through the NCHRP; the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); other national, state, and local agencies; international organizations; and industry groups not limited to highways.

Task 2. Synthesize the results of the literature review to identify knowledge gaps related to the research objective. These gaps should be addressed in the final product or the recommended future research, as budget permits.

Task 3. Propose the research plan to be executed in Phase II to achieve the research objective. At a minimum, the research plan shall include:

• A plan to identify and engage key stakeholders (e.g., FHWA digital delivery stakeholder group, digital project delivery tools developers and service providers, state DOTs, consultants, and construction contractors and fabricators) to seek input on the state of the practice and gather relevant data, including challenges, successes, and advancement opportunities.
• Coordination with other BIM efforts [e.g., transportation pooled fund (TPF) studies TPF-5(480) and TPF-5(523); NCHRP Projects 10-110A, 10-111, 10-112, 10-113, and 08-174; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Joint Technical Committee on Electronic Engineering Standards working groups initiatives, etc.] to prevent duplication.
• An approach for investigating the effectiveness of digital practices, nationally and internationally, for various project delivery methods, including alternative contracting methods (ACMs) (e.g., design-build, construction manager/general contractor, progressive design-build, public private partnerships). The proposed approach shall address:
  • Use of digital models on different ACMs, the extent to which they are used, and in what phases.
  • Productivity improvements for project delivery.
  • Project management and controls (e.g., safety, scope, budget, schedule, quality assurance including risk-based, and communications). Better use of digital workflows and data for more seamless and data-driven project management.
  • Risk management.
  • Digital transformation and organizational change.
  • Security and privacy concerns.
  • Cost implications.
  • Legal and liability issues.
• Case studies of successful implementation of digital project delivery to identify best practices and lessons learned.
• Development of relevant tools to support implementation.
• An annotated outline for the guide.

Task 4. Prepare Interim Report No. 1, which documents Tasks 1 through 3 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. The updated plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phases II and III.

PHASE II—Execution

Task 5. Execute the research plan according to the approved Interim Report No. 1 and update the annotated outline of the guide after consideration of the panel’s review comments.

Task 6. Develop draft guide based on the approved work plan and the results of the research.

Task 7. Prepare Interim Report No. 2, which documents Tasks 5 and 6 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. The updated work plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase III.

PHASE III—Final Products

Task 8. Revise the guide after consideration of the panel’s review comments.

Task 9. Prepare a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”.

Task 10. Submit the final deliverables, including (1) the guide, (2) a final report that documents the entire research effort, and (3) the stand-alone technical memorandum, Implementation of Research Findings and Products.

STATUS: Proposals have been received in response to the RFP. The project panel will meet to select a contractor to perform the work.