Development of an Improved System for Contract Time Determination-Phase III

摘要

This study developed Daily Work Report (DWR) based prediction models to determine reasonable production rates of controlling activities of highway projects. The study used available resources such as DWR, soil data, AADT and other existing project data from the various divisions of ODOT as primary source in estimating productivity. The study describes the effects and variations of production rates of highway activities to changes in environmental, geographical and project site conditions. The study also includes a relative comparison between a survey of experts estimate of production rate and DWR based prediction models. An Excel based standalone software program developed for ODOT engineers and schedulers to estimate reasonably accurate production rates is also presented in the study. The output of this model would allow ODOT engineers and schedulers to improve their accuracy and save their time in determining more reliable production rates of major highway construction activities by easily adjusting site conditions and project factors. The program will help ODOT to determine appropriate contract times of Tier II highway projects which would enhance better planning of resources, reduce construction cost, minimize the construction crews exposure to traffic, reduce the inconvenience to the public, track project progress and future estimating and bidding guidelines. This study will not only allow ODOT to be equipped with a streamlined procedure for determining production rates of highway construction activities, but will also be a framework and a benchmarking example to other highway agencies.