Investigating the Impact of Alternative Technical Concepts for Project Delivery of Accelerated Bridge Construction

Abstract

Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) is an off-site construction approach that reduces construction time, traffic disruption, and safety hazards on construction sites. However, the acceptance of this off-site methodology is challenged by many obstacles, including high initial cost, inexperienced contractors and manufacturers, and a lack of early contractor involvement. An alternative technical concept (ATC) is a proposal made during the bidding or procurement process with an equal or better alternative in the baseline project design. It allows for early contractor involvement and risk mitigation during the bidding stage. This study aims to highlight and provide a metric that supports ABC stakeholders in recognizing the merits of using ATCs during the bidding stage on ABC projects. To achieve this goal, this study utilizes a qualitative approach that includes (1) case studies that successfully integrated ATCs in different delivery methods of an ABC project; and (2) analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of requesting ATCs in ABC projects in comparison to the ABC projects that did not request ATCs. The qualitative results indicate that ATCs adoption in ABC projects ensures a reduction in cost, time, risks, and legal and contractual issues. Additionally, the SWOT analysis results facilitates ABC stakeholders with comprehensive knowledge about how they can take advantage of ATCs’ strengths, address weaknesses, deter threats, and capitalize on opportunities created by the adoption of ATCs within future ABC projects. The study’s findings demonstrate an innovative approach to addressing contractual and constructability challenges in ABC projects through ATCs, thereby promoting innovation, and maximizing off-site construction benefits. Currently, many departments of transportation do not have specific codes or regulations related to alternative technical concepts for accelerated bridge construction projects. As such, ABC stakeholders are either unaware or reluctant to adopt ATCs due to uncertainty of their impact on the projects’ cost, schedule, performance, and associated risks. Since very few ABC projects have successfully adopted ATCs for project delivery, the case studies documented in this study provide an understanding of the nature of the project delivery system with integration of ATCs, ways to achieve sustainability, and effective project execution. The case studies and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats matrix highlighted in this study facilitate ABC stakeholders with comprehensive knowledge about how they can take advantage of ATCs’ strengths, address weaknesses, deter threats, and capitalize on opportunities created by the adoption of ATCs within future ABC projects. Additionally, the ABC industry can benefit from the findings of this study through a comprehensive understanding of legal and contractual issues that can be avoided through the integration of confidential meetings and rigorous processes of ATCs during the project delivery of ABC projects. Therefore, this study contributes to the construction management body of knowledge by increasing awareness and providing strategies for exploiting the benefits of ATCs, reducing legal and contractual issues, as well as improving management practices that affect the implementation of ATCs for project delivery of ABC projects.