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Research publications 

Selected Reports

Guidebook on Alternative Quality Management Systems for Highway Construction

The basis for the report stems from a lack of guidance that resulted in significant investment on the part of transportation agencies, contractors, and consultants to develop unique QMSs for different agencies on a project-by-project basis. The speed at which rapid renewal projects must be delivered creates a demand for a well-defined QMS that can be successfully replicated on a variety of projects. The report will guide readers through the process of developing a QMS that is both responsive to specific project needs and broad enough to be replicated with project-specific adaptations on future projects of similar scope, complexity, and delivery schedule. 

Maximizing Success in Integrated Projects: An Owner's Guide

"The Owner’s Guide to Maximizing Success in Integrated Projects is the application of the findings from a robust empirical study of over 200 capital facility projects. Using a variety of statistical methods to model the relationship between project delivery and project success, the primary finding of the study is that owners should consider an overall project delivery strategy when structuring design and construction services, rather than focus exclusively on the delivery method. By considering how the organizational structure, contract payment terms and team assembly process can work together, owners can develop a more comprehensive strategy. In particular, the study finds that those strategies which align the core project team—owner, designers, primary builder and key specialty trades—are more effective in meeting or exceeding their cost, schedule and quality goals. The study also finds that during implementation, higher performing project teams engage in integrated practices and develop into a cohesive group."

Practices for Developing Transparent Best Value Selection Procedures

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synethesis 471: Practices for Developing Transparent Best Value Selection Procedures examines practices related to the best value bid approach to procuring highway construction services. Best value procurement is a process to select the most advantageous offer by evaluating schedule, technical merit, management solutions, and past performance in addition to price.

Guide for the Process of Managing Risk on Rapid Renewal Projects

TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) S2-R09-RW-2: Guide for the Process of Managing Risk on Rapid Renewal Projects describes a formal and structured risk management approach specifically for rapid renewal design and construction projects that is designed to help adequately and efficiently anticipate, evaluate, and address unexpected problems or "risks" before they occur. 

Key Performance Indicators for Public-Private Partnerships

This report provides a state-of-the-practice description of domestic and international practices for key performance indicators (KPIs) in public-private partnerships (PPPs). The report is based on a comprehensive literature review and eight case studies from Australia, British Columbia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The concept for this report came from an implementation strategy in Public-Private Partnerships for Highway Infrastructure: Capitalizing on International Experience, as well as Linking Transportation Performance and Accountability and Construction Management Practices in Canada and Europe. The report identifies how government-developed performance measures reflecting societal goals such as congestion management or environmental impact are translated through KPIs and included in project documents for designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining transportation facilities. The report shows that it is possible to align projects with these higher goals. 

Guidebook on Risk Analysis Tools and Management Practices to Control Transportation Project Costs

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 658: Guidebook on Risk Analysis Tools and Management Practices to Control Transportation Project Costs explores specific, practical, and risk-related management practices and analysis tools designed to help manage and control transportation project costs. 

Guidance for Cost Estimation and Management for Highway Projects During Planning, Programming, and Preconstruction

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 574: Guidance for Cost Estimation and Management for Highway Projects During Planning, Programming, and Preconstruction explores approaches to cost estimation and management designed to overcome the root causes of cost escalation and to support the development of consistent and accurate project estimates through all phases of the development process, from long-range planning, through priority programming, and through project design.