American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials
Special Committee on
Research and Innovation
FY2023 NCHRP PROBLEM
STATEMENT TEMPLATE
Problem Number:
2023-D-09
Problem Title
Guidance
for Including Right-Of-Way and Utilities in Value Engineering Studies
AASHTO
Committee on Right-of-Way, Utilities & Outdoor Advertising Control:
Subcommittee on Utilities
AKD60,
TRB Standing Committee on Utilities
Background Information And Need For Research
According
to 23 CFR 627, a Value Engineering (VE) analysis is the systematic process of
reviewing and assessing a project to identify the needed project functions,
optimize the value and quality of the project; and reduce the time to develop
and deliver the project. It also
indicates that state transportation agencies (STAs) must conduct VE studies for
projects on the National Highway System (NHS) receiving Federal assistance with
an estimated total cost of $50 million or more; and bridge projects on the NHS
receiving Federal assistance with an estimated total cost of $40 million or
more. It is not necessary to conduct VE studies for design/build projects, but
the federal regulations provide guidance for construction manager/general
contractor (CM/GC) projects. STA policies and requirements typically mirror
those at the federal level. VE studies have been effectively incorporated into
the STA project development process. A
valuable consideration would be to enhance the VE concept by providing focused
guidance for the specialties of right of way and utilities will be
valuable.
The VE
studies body of knowledge is largely silent on the topic of right-of-way and
utilities. At the national level (both federal regulations and FHWA guidance
documents), there are only casual references to right-of-way or utilities in VE
studies. Something similar happens at the state level. STA manuals typically
include guidance on how to conduct VE studies, but any reference to
right-of-way or utilities is brief and without any practical guidance. This
lack of documented knowledge increases the risk that VE study teams will lack
the kind or level of right-of-way and utility information they need to do their
job properly. It also means that VE studies might be missing unique
opportunities to add value to a project.
Considering
that right-of-way and utilities are frequently considered two of the top three
reasons that projects experience delays (the third reason is the environmental
process), it is important to identify and implement ways to include
right-of-way and utility topics more effectively in the scope of and procedures
for conducting VE studies.
Literature Search Summary
The body
of knowledge is silent on the topic of right-of-way and utilities in VE
studies. At the national level (both federal regulations and FHWA guidance
documents), there are only casual references to right-of-way or utilities in VE
studies. Something similar happens at the state level. STA manuals typically
include guidance on how to conduct VE studies, but any reference to
right-of-way or utilities is brief and without any practical guidance.
Research Objective
The
proposed research objective is to complete the following tasks:
• Conduct online survey of STAs to
examine practices to conduct VE studies, with a specific focus on right-of-way
and utilities.
• Conduct follow-up interviews with
select STAs.
• Review sample VE study reports and
conduct interviews with the corresponding STA officials and VE study teams
that.
• Develop guidelines for the inclusion
of right-of-way and utilities in VE studies.
• Test the guidelines on pilot VE
studies.
Urgency and Potential Benefits
Utility
and right of way issues are repeatedly documented as causes for project delay
and increased costs. It is imperative to
the tenants defined in value engineering to consider these aspects of project
development and delivery. They are
critical factors in project costs, potentially offsetting the VE benefits
garnered through the VE process.
The
research would have a number of benefits including, but not limited to, the
following:
• Earlier and more effective
identification of right-of-way issues that might have been overlooked by a
project team reduces project risk in terms of cost and schedule.
• Earlier and more effective
identification of utility issues that might have been overlooked by a project
team reduces project risk in terms of cost and schedule.
• Construction delay claims will be
reduced with fewer right-of-way and utility issues
• Lower right-of-way acquisition and
utility relocation costs are expected.
Implementation Considerations
The use
of inaccurate utility data contributes to billions of wasteful spending in the
U. S. caused by utility and highway coordination. With few exceptions, the
public bears the cost of utility delays in form of traveler costs, added
transportation costs in retail products, loss of business efficiency (resulting
in higher costs and lower profits), and fewer public dollars available to spend
on a variety of project needs. With the advantages of 3D design and BIM being
explored at STAs, this research is imperative to analyzing conflicts with
improved confidence in the associated risks.
Recommended Research Funding And Research
Period
It is
estimated that this research will take 24 months to complete and will require
$400,000.
Problem
Statement Author(s):
For each author, provide their name, affiliation, email address and phone.
The
AASHTO Committee on Right of Way, Utilities, and Outdoor Advertising Controls
Utility Project Scoping & Coordination Technical Council drafted, edited
and supports this Research Needs Statement.
Contact:
Casey Soneira, csoneira@aashto.org, 202-624-5824
Potential Panel Members: For each panel
member, provide their name, affiliation, email address and phone.
AASHTO
Utility Project Scoping & Coordination Technical Council Chair
AASHTO
Committee of Right of Way, Utilities and Outdoor Advertising
Utilities
Subcommittee
Patrick
Overton
Florida
Department of Transportation
State
Utility Engineer
605
Suwannee Street, MS 75
Tallahassee,
Florida 32399
Office#
(850) 414-4379
patrick.overton@dot.state.fl.us
Person Submitting The Problem Statement: Name, affiliation,
email address and phone.
AASHTO
Committee on Right of Way, Utilities, and Outdoor Advertising Control
Utilities
Subcommittee
Utility
Project Scoping & Coordination Technical Council
Contact:
Casey Soneira, csoneira@aashto.org, 202-624-5824