Latent class analysis for highway design and construction project categorization

摘要

Current classifications of highway design and construction projects are policy specific, ad hoc or based upon engineering judgement. This research defines an empirically-based highway project classification system through latent class analysis. Data from 291 projects completed between 2004 and 2015 by agencies across the United States serve as the basis for this analysis. The analysis explores project characteristic variables that include facility type, project type, highway type, project size in terms of cost and, project complexity. Latent class analysis provides an accurate and defensible project classification. This consistent classification of projects can aid researchers and practitioners in many applications such as enhancing the understanding of how agency decisions, like selection of a project delivery method, impact project performance.