Identification of research and development needs in highway construction engineering and management

Abstract

Ten years have passed since the last assessment of research and development needs in highway construction engineering and management (CEM) and a new research program is necessary to indicate the direction and focus of future research. This study identified the critical issues in need of future research and development. The research program indicated topics in which future research will reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of CEM of transportation projects. Assessment and prioritization of research needs were conducted through a preliminary survey and the Delphi process. The Delphi process consisted of a series of three questionnaires called rounds. The first and second rounds surveyed highway industry professionals to rank and identify issues. The third round was employed to clarify specific problem areas, barriers to implementation, and gaps in knowledge. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, with aid from the third-round survey results, to investigate past research conducted on the most critical highway CEM issues identified by the Delphi respondents. Information that was gathered during the literature search was used to compose draft research problem statements and objectives for future research projects. The draft research problem statements were presented at a research panel meeting to validate the issues and objectives. Alterations were made to the issue statements from the recommended changes by the research panel. The revised research problem statements are the final products of this thesis project.