01515108

Component

Functional obsolescence and structural deficiencies of highway bridges are creating challenges for commuters and transportation agencies throughout the United States. Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) classified approximately 13.9% of the bridges in the United States as functionally obsolete and 11% as structurally deficient. As a result of increasing needs associated with upgrades and repairs, the decision makers are urged to determine the best use of limited resources. Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) can reduce the downtime of highway bridges and can decrease the environmental and socio-economic impacts by minimizing traffic disruptions due to bridge repair and upgrade activities. As several states are using accelerated construction techniques, a standardized guideline would be highly beneficial for these agencies in developing or improving their ABC decision-making processes. Most often, problems faced are project specific, which makes it challenging to choose among various repair and rehabilitation alternatives. A decision tool is, therefore, necessary to determine the viability of ABC over traditional construction methods and also to select appropriate construction and contracting strategies on a case by case basis. This paper presents the results of a literature review on ABC methods, and contracting alternatives; and a decision support framework that provides a systems approach to ABC. The framework consists of three models: a) Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) based ABC vs. Traditional Construction decision making model; b) ABC alternatives selection model; and c) Procurement method and contract selection model. The decision framework is expected to stimulate further initiatives that can reduce the negative impacts associated with bridge construction projects.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFF10 General Structures.

01503729

14-2476

English

21p

2014

Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Accelerated bridge construction; Analytic hierarchy process; Contracting; Decision making; Decision support systems; Literature reviews; Rehabilitation; Traffic delays

United States

Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I60: Maintenance

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2014 Paper #14-2476

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 2:52PM