Form Projstat (Rev. 5/2013)

Form ProjStat (Rev. 5/2013)

(RTI) Research Project Statement 17-12

FY 2017 Annual Program

Title: Enhanced Production Rate Establishment to Ascertain Construction Activity Durations (Deliverable Based) The Problem: Project 0-6581-TI Work Order 20, Assessing the Cost Attributed to Project Delays, noted that delays occurred because the project missed a milestone according to the project schedule established by the project engineer and the respective TxDOT district. However, the study did not examine the scheduling process that occurs during the planning and scoping phases of the project life cycle to determine if that aspect of the project (i.e., overly optimistic schedules) might be an inherent source of delay.

TxDOT has used the Contract Time Determination System (CTDS), which includes production rates and associated factors for selected work activities to develop durations that are achievable, but not too long. Concern about the reliability and accuracy of the CTDS production rates prompted research to develop an improved production rate information system. During this research, 26 work items that normally lie on the critical path were studied, resulting in the Highway Production Rate Information System (HyPRIS). A significant number of the HyPRIS work items are bridge-related, so a more comprehensive tool is necessary to facilitate statewide implementation. Furthermore, additional factors (i.e., weather, equipment operator skill, and equipment technology) related to production rate variability need to be assessed to improve production rate estimates and the accuracy of project duration estimates. Technical This project will evaluate the CTDS and HyPRIS Objectives: systems to fully understand construction production rates and their variability. Weather impacts, equipment operator skill, equipment technologies are specific impacts to be analyzed so that production rate estimations can become more accurate. Lead and lag time information will also be investigated to enhance the performance of the contract time estimation for the entire project. Work items excluded from HyPRIS excluded will be investigated to determine if additional work items and production rates can be added to the system. Desired 1. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both Deliverables: qualitative and economic benefits. 2. A more comprehensive understanding of construction production rates and their variabilities. 3. New methods, strategies, and procedures to determine construction production rates in order to assist in predicting construction activities and

Project Statement 17-12 Form ProjStat (Rev. 5/2013)

(RTI) project durations. 4. Research report documenting work performed and findings. Proposal 1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the Requirements: appendices provided or in the University Handbook). 2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in RTI’s University Handbook. 3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should include project name and university abbreviation. Pre-Proposal Meeting Information: Wednesday, March 23, 2016 9:00 – 9:45AM Austin Riverside Campus 118 E. Riverside Dr. RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor

Webex Information: 1. Go to https://txdot.webex.com/mw0401lsp13/mywebex/default .do?siteurl=txdot&rnd=0.9091095085622569 2. Meeting Number: 735 915 144 3. If requested, enter your name and email address. 4. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: FY17 5. Click "Join".

Teleconference Information: Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can call: Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-637-1408 (US) Conference Code: 915 211 7290 Notifying RTI of Intent to Propose: Notify your University Liaison of your intent to submit a proposal. Your Liaison will provide information regarding the RFP. Proposal Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 P.M. Central Deadline: Daylight Time, April 14, 2016. Email submissions should be sent to [email protected].

Project Statement 17-12