--ISAP Graduate Student Research Directory

Kunhee Choi

Time-based Innovative Contracting Methods in Highway Construction Contracts: Determining Effectiveness and Developing a Decision-Support Model

Abstract

(Key objectives, description of work, expected outcome)

Amongst researchers there exists a disagreement about the effectiveness of using time-based innovative contracting methods (ICMs), especially on the incentive/disincentive (I/D) contracting method, largely because of the contracting agency's overestimation of project duration and monetary time value. In response to an emerging concern about the effectiveness of utilizing time-based ICMs, this research seeks to:
(1) determine the effectiveness of using ICMs in highway construction contracts,
(2) develop guidelines towards the effective use, and
(3) devise a computerized decision-support model that determines the most economical I/D dollar amounts and optimal contract completion times.

As a basis for developing methodologies to meet these objectives, this research will:
(1) conduct a national (comprehensive) survey to evaluate the current state of industry practices,
(2) evaluate the time saving performance by comparing innovative contracting projects with projects contracted in a conventional way,
(3) determine whether the ICMs were effectively implemented by performing statistical analyses, and
(4) develop a computer model to enhance the effectiveness.

The recommendations for the effective use of time-based ICMs and the decision-support computer model would help state highway agencies allocate more accurate, realistic budgets for the time-based ICMs, especially for ones that include I/D provisions. The guidelines and findings reported in this paper will benefit state highway agencies (SHAs) in framing sounder provisions for innovative highway renewal construction contracts. SHAs will be also benefited by a reduction in the agency's efforts to calculate the final I/D dollar amounts and contract completion times.

Starting Date:

January 15, 2006

Expected Completion:

December, 2007

University
(or institution)

University of California at Berkeley, USA website

Chair, Civil Engineering

C. William Ibbs website

e-mail: ibbs@ce.berkeley.edu

Student

Kunhee Choi (Ph.D. student researcher)

e-mail: kunhee@berkeley.edu

Academic Achievements (Degree, grants, publications, etc.)

B.E. in Architectural Engineering at Korea University in 1999

M.S. in Construction Management at Texas A&M University in 2002

Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Division Fellowships at the University of California, Berkeley (July, 2002 - July, 2003)

Clark Construction Company Inc. Scholarship (Apr. 2001)

The O. N. Mitchell Jr. Endowed Fellowship by Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University (August, 2000)

Publications: 2 journal papers, 3 conference proceedings, 1 technical report submitted to Caltrans, and NCHRP proposal experience

Permission to post on ISAP website
(Members only)

Yes

Date

Oct. 05, 2006