Constructibility review process framework for transportation facilities

Abstract

Constructibility is the optimum use of construction knowledge and experience in planning, design, procurement, and field operations in order to achieve overall project objectives ("Constructibility: a primer" 1986). This Thesis presents a framework for implementing constructibility to the transportation industry. The challenge of applying such a process to the transportation industry is the contracting strategy predominantly used: the design/bid/build strategy. In such a contracting environment construction is performed as a completely separate phase. Changes in key players occur once the project is awarded to the contractor. Contractors have little or no opportunity to provide input to planners and designers. The framework developed in this research consists of performing a series of constructibility functions during specific project development phases. Constructibility functions such as forming project teams, storing and retrieving constructibility lessons learned, and providing construction feedback to designers make the project development process more efficient. The computer technique used to build the Constructibility Review Process Framework is the IDEFO modeling technique. The technique is used for modeling functions in a process (decisions, actions, and activities) and the relationship between the functions (Mayer). The model was developed after a thorough investigation of the critical issues facing the state transportation agencies, and an understanding of the current environment these agencies operate in.