Preliminary Scope

With rapid technological advancements in construction, state DOTs are prioritizing digital project delivery to bridge data capture gaps. The FHWA recognizes the potential for enhanced data collection in asset management through digital technologies. FHWA's Every Day Counts (EDC) program, initiated in collaboration with AASHTO, promotes innovation. EDC Rounds 2 and 3 (2013-2016) emphasized 3D models in construction, while Round 4 (2017-2018) focused on e-construction and partnering. In Round 6 (2021-2022), the emphasis shifted to e-ticketing and digital as-builts (DAB). Additionally, buildingSMART is working with AASHTO to advance digital project delivery through various initiatives and joint committees. 

FHWA’s commitment to digital project delivery is underscored by the Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) program. This initiative aims to promote, implement, deploy, demonstrate, showcase, support, and document the application of ADCMS, practices, performance, and benefits. State DOTs are in various stages of transitioning to digital project delivery.

The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices related to adopting and implementing digital project delivery.

Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):

• Status of digital project delivery transition within different operational areas (e.g., design, planning, construction, and maintenance);
• Policy changes made to support transition to digital project delivery;
• Organizational structure supporting digital project delivery (e.g., staff involvement and roles, executive champion, engineer of record, and contracted support
• How implementation effort was scoped;
• Practices for coordinating and managing the internal transition;
• IT solutions supporting digital project delivery;
• Hardware used to support the transition;
• Training supporting the transition;
• Strategies developed and used to support, track, and communicate the transition;
• Data-related practices; and
• Outcomes.

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

 Information Sources (Partial)

• USDOT, FHWA.  (2022). Innovator Newsletter, September/October 2022, Volume 16 (92). Washington, DC https://doi.org/10.21949/1521850
• Dadi, G.B. et al. (2022) NCHRP Synthesis Report 594: Technological Capabilities of Departments of Transportation for Digital Project Management and Delivery. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26738. 
• Ongoing NCHRP 10-113: Quality Management for 3D Model-Based Project Development and Delivery
• Nassereddine, H., et al. (2022).  NCHRP Synthesis Report 593: 3D Digital Models as Highway Construction Contract Documents. National Cooperative Highway Research Program; Transportation Research Board; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
• Dadi, G.B. et al. (2021). NCHRP Synthesis Report 560: Practices for Construction-Ready Digital Terrain Models. National Cooperative Highway Research Program; Transportation Research Board; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26085.

TRB Staff
Jo Allen Gause
Phone: 202-334-3826
Email: jagause@nas.edu

Meeting Dates
First Panel Meeting: October 2024 (date TBD)
Teleconference with Consultant: TBD
Second Panel Meeting: TBD