Civil Integrated Management (CIM) for Departments of Transportation, Volume 2: Research Report (2016)

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1 Introduction This Research Report is a companion document to the NCHRP Report 831: Civil Integrated Management (CIM) Imple- mentation for Departments of Transportation, Volume 1: Guide- book. The research team suggests readers read the Guidebook first for implementation guidance. This Research Report pro- vides details of the research findings on CIM implemen- tations through survey and case study research. While this report is a stand-alone document, readers may benefit from reviewing the Guidebook and then referencing this report for specific details. “Civil Integrated Management (CIM) is the technology- enabled collection, organization, managed accessibility, and the use of accurate data and information throughout the life cycle of a transportation asset” (FHWA 2012). The focus of CIM is on promoting successful and effective life-cycle applications of modern technologies—such as information modeling, advanced surveying methods, subsurface map- ping of utilities, and automated machine guidance (AMG)— and integration of project data with transportation asset man- agement plans, among others. These tools have the potential to enable the transition to digital project delivery and enhance the role and quality of information available for project man- agement tasks. In practice, CIM is a set of technologies and processes that improves the predictability of project performance and leads to better outcomes at different stages of the construction life cycle—conceptual planning, design and engineering, pro- curement and construction, commissioning, and operations and maintenance (O&M). Implementation of information modeling and related digital technologies has seen consid- erable success in the building and commercial sector. These tools can also provide significant short- and long-term benefits as well as process improvements for transportation projects (Dodge Data & Analytics 2012). Researchers and practitioners have empirically demonstrated the positive impacts of digital technologies on several project work processes, such as design visualization, clash detection, utility relocation and coordi- nation, constructability reviews, and work area management. The necessity to coordinate with many stakeholders (such as utility companies, governmental agencies, commuters, and businesses) within the project corridor emphasizes the impor- tance of availability and accessibility of quality data to facili- tate coordination and decision-making throughout project delivery. Yet, the widespread integration of digital practices in highway infrastructure delivery is limited because of sev- eral process challenges (O’Brien et al. 2012). Working with engineering packages and deliverables in 2D (that include plans, profiles, and cross sections) not only reduces the role and utility of electronic data, but also poses data integra- tion challenges for tasks that require extensive collaboration, such as design reviews, conflict analysis, and constructability, among others. Advances in design technology, computational power, and positioning systems have opened up possibilities to bet- ter integrate digital technologies into project delivery and mitigate some of the challenges stemming from traditional workflow. With many DOTs showing intent to execute their projects utilizing CIM technologies, there is an imperative need to analyze the current state of practice of CIM in its entirety and document the benefits and challenges associated with the increased use of CIM. The NCHRP Project 10-96 research team conducted research to address this objective and developed a generalized implementation framework to help systematize agency-wide efforts for advancement of CIM tools and practices. This Research Report synthesizes the key findings from the literature review, the data sources considered through- out the project, the findings of the state-of-practice surveys, and the lessons learned from the case studies. It illustrates the methodical formulation of the implementation framework from the research findings. The Research Report also contains a summary of DOT practitioners’ and external subject matter experts’ observations on the utility, format, and content of the Guidebook. C H A P T E R 1

21.1 Readers’ Guide Chapter 2 presents information from the literature review on CIM tools and functions. A global perspective on CIM has also been provided to give an understanding of relevant best practices and trends of CIM in other countries. Chapter 3 lays out the contractual objectives used to develop the implementation Guidebook—NCHRP Report 831: Civil Integrated Management (CIM) Implementation for Departments of Transportation, Volume 1: Guidebook. Chapter 4 presents the research methodology followed to address the overall objective of this research. The research team used various approaches in this effort, including an exten- sive literature review, two national surveys, and detailed case studies. Chapter 5 explains the objectives and the results of the two nationwide surveys conducted as part of this research. The research team used the survey responses to determine the current state of practice of CIM and understand the agen- cies’ capabilities related to their level of CIM use. The findings from a statistical analysis of the agencies’ surveys are sum- marized to show empirical insights into some of the relevant issues and anticipated changes in project delivery processes that result from CIM implementation. Chapter 6 presents the case study results that provide an in- depth understanding of the steps involved in integrating CIM with project work processes. The seven case study descrip- tions cover project characteristics and focus on CIM practices in project delivery processes. Significant inferences from each case study and lessons learned are also presented through cross- case analysis. Chapter 7 demonstrates the process used to develop the three-stage implementation framework that is included in the Guidebook. It contains narratives supporting the develop- ment of the framework from the associated research findings. A report of the validation survey is also included to confirm the reliability and usability of this implementation plan at agencies. Finally, Chapter 8 contains the conclusion and potential extensions of this work for future research.