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
Objectives:
This project will evaluate the CTDS and HyPRIS 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
Deliverables:
1. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both 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 durations.
4. Research report documenting work performed and findings.
Proposal
Requirements:
1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the 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=0.9091095085622
569
Project Statement 17-12
Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
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
Deadline:
Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, April 14, 2016. Email
submissions should be sent to rtimain@txdot.gov.
Project Statement 17-12