scholarly journals Road User Costs for Highway Construction Projects Involving a Lane Closure

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3084
Author(s):  
Jaehyun Choi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Road User ◽  
State Agencies ◽  
User Cost ◽  
Unique Problem ◽  
User Costs ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
Commercial Software Package ◽  
State Highway Agencies

While for years most American State Highway Agencies (SHAs) have performed Road User Cost (RUC) calculations, no uniformity from state to state has been established. There is scant research available that documents the testing and validation of existing RUC calculation methods for highway rehabilitation projects. Especially scarce are studies addressing the unique problem of accurately calculating RUC in the event of lane closures. This research addresses this problem by describing and comparing two methods of making such calculations: A manual method developed by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), and adopted by many other state agencies, such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and a commercial software package.

Determining Minimum Contract Time for Highway Projects

2000 ◽  
Vol 1712 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Fang Shr ◽  
Benjamin P. Thompson ◽  
Jeffrey S. Russell ◽  
Bin Ran ◽  
H. Ping Tserng
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Road User ◽  
User Cost ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Highway Projects ◽  
The Road ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
The Cost ◽  
State Highway Agencies

An increasing number of state highway agencies (SHAs) are using A (cost) + B (time cost) bidding ( A + B bidding) for highway construction. The A + B bidding concept is designed to shorten the total contract time by allowing each contractor to bid the number of days in which the work can be accomplished, in addition to the traditional cost bid. The SHA is then presented with the problem of determining a reasonable range of contract time submitted by the bidders. Most SHAs do not currently restrict the range of B. However, several problems may arise from an unrestricted range of B. First, if no minimum is set for B, a bidder may inflate the cost bid and submit an unreasonably low B, using the excess cost bid to cover the disincentives charged for exceeding the time bid. Second, if no maximum is set for B, then a bidder with a high B and a low-cost bid may be awarded the job and make an unreasonable amount of money from incentive payments. This study develops a quantified model of the price-time bidding contract. A construction cost-versus-time curve is developed from Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) data. The contractor’s price-versus-time curve is then combined with the road-user cost to determine the optimum lower limit to be set on B. Finally, several projects completed by the Florida DOT will be used to illustrate this model.

Assessment of State Agencies’ Practices in Managing Geotechnical Risk in Design–Build Projects

2017 ◽  
Vol 2630 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Castro-Nova ◽  
Ghada M. Gad ◽  
Douglas D. Gransberg
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
State Agencies ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Contract Formation ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Design Build ◽  
Geotechnical Information ◽  
State Highway Agencies ◽  
Geotechnical Risk

Policies and procedures of state highway agencies for articulating geotechnical information and requirements on design–build (DB) projects are the means to manage the geotechnical risk. Successful approaches and practices to managing geotechnical risk not only reduce the level of geotechnical uncertainty for both the owner and the competing design–builder but also distribute the remaining geotechnical risk between the parties. Discussed here are the differences with regard to geotechnical risk management, aspects of the DB procurement process, and contract aspects between state departments of transportation (DOTs) with experience delivering projects using the DB process versus those that are not as experienced. Results are presented from two independent sources of information: one was obtained through a literature review of aspects related to geotechnical requirements and management of DB projects and the other was obtained through an online survey of 38 state DOTs. Results of the study statistically demonstrate the value of DB experience in managing geotechnical risk and, accordingly, a set of recommended practices for agencies that are relatively new to DB project delivery, during both procurement and contract formation, is presented.

Some implications of the new speed–volume curves to highway user cost and sizing of roads

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-248
Author(s):  
Satish C. Sharma ◽  
Akhtarhusein Tayebali ◽  
Afifi H. Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Road User ◽  
Vehicle Classification ◽  
User Cost ◽  
Highway Design ◽  
Rural Highways ◽  
Highway Capacity Manual ◽  
The Road ◽  
User Costs ◽  
Road Users

This paper investigates some implications of the speed–volume relationships for two-lane rural highways as proposed in the new edition of the U.S. Highway Capacity Manual, which is expected to be completed soon. The effect of the new speed–volume curves on road user costs is analysed by considering the case of Alberta Transportation. The analysis carried out in this paper indicates that the new speed–volume curves, when employed with the traditional values of other variables, such as vehicle running costs and value of travel time, produce cost–volume relationships that might appear unacceptable from both the highway agencies' and the road users' perspective. To overcome such a limitation it is suggested that a cost of comfort and convenience should be computed and added to the user cost.Basing their proposal on a survey of Alberta households and the actual practice of road sizing by Alberta Transportation, the authors present a generalized mathematical model to estimate the cost of comfort and convenience. The structure of the model and its independent variables include the considerations of (a) the relative importance of driving comfort as perceived by road users, (b) the unsatisfied demand (overtaking demand minus actual overtaking) curve, (c) the type of road use, (d) volume-to-capacity ratio, (e) desired highway speed, and (f) vehicle classification. The paper discusses and demonstrates how this model can be calibrated and used for economic analysis for designing and upgrading of rural highways. Key words: transportation, highway economic analysis, road user costs, cost of comfort, speed–volume curves, highway design.

Alternative Solvent for Reducing Health and Environmental Hazards in Extracting Asphalt: An Evaluation

2000 ◽  
Vol 1712 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Collins-Garcia ◽  
Mang Tia ◽  
Reynaldo Roque ◽  
Bouzid Choubane
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Asphalt Binders ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
Trade Name ◽  
Asphalt Paving ◽  
Environmentally Sound ◽  
State Highway Agencies

Trichloroethylene is a solvent currently used by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and many state highway agencies for separation of asphalt binders from asphalt paving mixtures in their quality control programs. However, it has been proved that trichloroethylene contributes to ozone depletion, and it is also known to be a carcinogen. The goal of the present study was to determine whether a more environmentally sound and less hazardous solvent could be used for this purpose. The solvent investigated is an n-propyl bromide with the trade name EnSolv. Preliminary studies show that it is safer than many other solvents available today. The study was performed to determine whether EnSolv could be a substitute for trichloroethylene without changing current testing methods. The tests performed included the asphalt solubility test, extraction and recovery of asphalt binders from mixtures, and penetration and viscosity tests with the recovered binders. The results of the study showed that EnSolv could be a suitable replacement for trichloroethylene. In addition, EnSolv could also be recycled and reused in the extraction and recovery procedures.

Estimating Road User Costs Associated with Highway Construction Projects: Simplified Method

2000 ◽  
Vol 1732 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ginger Daniels ◽  
William R. Stockton ◽  
Robert Hundley
Keyword(s):  
Travel Time ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Travel Speed ◽  
Road User ◽  
High Profile ◽  
User Costs ◽  
Liquidated Damages ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Detailed Simulation ◽  
Urban Freeway

Road user costs (RUC) are defined as the estimated incremental daily costs to the traveling public resulting from the construction work being performed. Those costs are primarily time lost because of conditions such as detours/rerouting that add to travel time, reduced roadway capacity that slows travel speed and increases travel time, or a delay in the opening of a new or improved facility that prevents users from gaining travel time benefits. In Texas, RUC analyses and associated liquidated damages have been applied predominantly to high-profile urban freeway reconstruction projects, which are ideal candidates for RUC application because of the potential for very high motorist delay costs. A much wider range of projects involving the addition of capacity can be considered for RUC. Not all potential projects, however, are as complicated as urban freeway reconstruction efforts that require detailed simulation modeling to determine the value of RUC. The results of a research study that developed a manual technique for determining RUC are documented, along with associated liquidated damages for typical added-capacity and highway rehabilitation projects. The technique involves a series of look-up tables that provide RUC values on the basis of project type and a minimal number of project attributes. Two different approaches were employed: a before-and-after approach for added capacity projects and a during-versus-after-construction approach for rehabilitation projects.

scholarly journals APPLICATION OF METADATA MODELING TO DISPUTE REVIEW REPORT MANAGEMENT

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-498
Author(s):  
Yimin Zhu ◽  
Mehmet Emre Bayraktar ◽  
Shu-Ching Chen
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Portable Document Format ◽  
Heterogeneous Data ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness

Disagreements in construction projects often result in litigation that is both time‐consuming and expensive. A dispute review board (DRB) provides a valuable and proven alternative method of dispute resolution. Currently, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) stores DRB reports in portable document format (PDF) with limited search capability. Improving information retrieval of DRB documents and providing a certain level of integration of DRB reports with relevant but heterogeneous data and documents is the key to enhancing the current FDOT DRB system. This paper presents a web‐based data management framework to improve information management processes of the FDOT DRB system by providing key features such as metadata generation, an integrated review process, a simple issue description, member information management, and versatile information search. The new system not only allows DRB members and FDOT construction engineers to store and retrieve DRB reports but also provides more functionality to process those re‐ports. New functionalities include a structured search based on the metadata of DRB reports, an unstructured search using advanced computer technology, and the integration of DRB reports with other related information for analysis. This type of functionality improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the DRB system. Santrauka Del nesutarimu vykdant statybos projektus dažnai kyla teisminiu ginču, kurie yra brangūs ir trunka ilgai. Vertingas ir praktikoje prigijes alternatyvus ginču sprendimo metodas yra ginču nagrinejimo taryba (GNT). Šiuo metu Floridos transporto departamentas (FTD) yra sukaupes GNT ataskaitas PDF formatu su ribota paieškos galimybe. GNT dokumentu informacijos paieška ir tinkamo lygio GNT ataskaitu integravimas su reikalingais, bet heterogeniniais duomenimis yra esmine prielaida tobulinti dabartine FTD GNT sistema. Straipsnyje pristatoma internetine duomenu valdymo sistema, skirta patobulinti FTD GNT valdymo procesa remiantis šiomis esminemis savybemis: metaduomenu generavimo, integruoto peržiūros proceso, paprasto ginčo aprašymo, dalyvio informacijos valdymo, visapusiškos informacijos paieškos. Naujoji sistema ne tik leidžia FTD BNT nariams saugoti bei rasti GNT ataskaitas, bet ir sudaro galimybes funkcionaliau jas apdoroti. Naujos sistemos funkcijos apima struktūrizuota paieška GNT ataskaitu metaduomenu pagrindu, restruktūri‐zuota paieška naudojant pažangias kompiuteriu technologijas ir GNT ataskaitu integravima su kita susijusia analizuojama informacija. Šios funkcines savybes pagerina GNT sistemos efektyvuma.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Nonlinear Resilient Modulus Parameters from Common Index Properties

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110237
Author(s):  
Laura Camarena
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Material Properties ◽  
Resilient Modulus ◽  
Nonlinear Behavior ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Nonlinear Parameters ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Learning Techniques ◽  
State Highway Agencies

The Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) considers a hierarchical approach to determine the input values necessary for most design parameters. Level 1 requires site-specific measurement of the material properties from laboratory testing, whereas other levels make use of equations developed from regression models to estimate the material properties. Resilient modulus is a mechanical property that characterizes the unbound and subgrade materials under loading that is essential for the mechanistic design of pavements. The MEPDG resilient modulus model makes use of a three-parameter constitutive model to characterize the nonlinear behavior of the geomaterials. As the resilient modulus tests are complex, expensive, and require lengthy preparation time, most state highway agencies are unlikely to implement them as routine daily applications. Therefore, it is imperative to make use of models to calculate these nonlinear parameters. Existing models to determine these parameters are frequently based on linear regression. With the development of machine learning techniques, it is feasible to develop simpler equations that can be used to estimate the nonlinear parameters more accurately. This study makes use of the Long-Term Pavement Performance database and machine learning techniques to improve the equations utilized to determine the nonlinear parameters crucial to estimate the resilient modulus of unbound base and subgrade materials.

Pay Factor Analysis for Highway Pavements through Percentage of Material within Specification Limits and Monte Carlo Simulation

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110255
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Zhao ◽  
Dimitrios Goulias
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Production Quality ◽  
Specification Limits ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Similar Materials ◽  
Pay Factor ◽  
State Highway Agencies

Many state highway agencies (SHAs) have adopted pay adjustment provisions in their acceptance plans for construction and materials. In these payment adjustment acceptance plans, the percentage of material within specification limits (PWL) has been selected as the quality measure to relate production quality to pay factors, and pay equations are used to determine a pay factor for a lot based on PWL. Various pay equations have been proposed by the highway community for adoption in SHAs’ specifications. However, the effectiveness of these pay equations has not been fully evaluated. Another issue concerning the pay adjustment acceptance plans is the risk associated with single and multiple pay factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different pay equations commonly used by SHAs and the risks associated with pay adjustment acceptance plans. This was achieved by developing operating characteristic curves associated with various pay factors and expected pay curves and Monte Carlo simulation for assessing the effects in the long run. The methodology suggested in this paper is transferable elsewhere where similar materials and specifications are used for the acceptance of pavements.

scholarly journals Methodology for Measuring Output, Value Added, and Employment Impacts of State Highway and Bridge Construction Projects

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Babcock ◽  
John C. Leatherman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Input Output ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
Highway Planning ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Departments Of Transportation ◽  
Employment Impacts

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to measure some of the economic impacts of state highway programs. State departments of transportation (DOTs) need such a methodology for a variety of reasons, including long-term highway planning as well as advising state policymakers concerning the economic impacts of highway programs. The specific objectives of this study are: (1) describe a procedure to measure the output, value added, and employment impacts of specific types of highway and bridge improvement, and (2) illustrate an application of the model using data from Kansas. The objectives of the research are accomplished with input-output modeling. An 11-step procedure is described for adjusting the Kansas IMPLAN input-output model so that it is capable of measuring economic impacts for specific types of highway and bridge improvement. The model is illustrated using data from a recently completed study of the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP), which included expenditure of $5.24 billion on state highway system projects. Data from this study are used to demonstrate the calculation of output, value added, and employment impacts for five different highway and bridge improvement categories.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document