EVALUATION OF SCHEDULING TECHNIQUES FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the number and magnitude of delays in the construction of highway projects. The late completion of transportation projects is usually the result of inefficient construction processes. Delays can endanger public safety, increase the number of claims, and cause the loss of federal funds. In order to improve the current scheduling procedures in highway construction, a review was conducted of the various scheduling methods found in the literature, and of the methods used by state departments of transportation and by highway contractors. The survey has revealed dissatisfaction of all parties involved with the current procedures. Based on research conducted for the Florida Department of Transportation, a few major conclusions and recommendations have been made. There is no one rigid scheduling technique that can be applied for every highway project. The user must develop a few scheduling procedures and tailor them to each specific project according to its type, size, and complexity. In addition, new programs must be developed to improve the motivation of contractors to bid and to complete highway projects on time. The implementation of more adequate incentive fees for the early completion of construction projects and of more substantial penalties for the late completion of such projects is also recommended. Although the research has been conducted for a specific sponsor, it is based on general principles that can be adapted to other users.