Decision Making and Economic Analysis for Accelerated Bridge Construction

Abstract

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is recognized as an important method to design and rehabilitate highway bridge structures. ABC is bridge construction that uses innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods in a safe and cost-effective manner to reduce the onsite construction time that occurs when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. ABC uses both new technology and innovative project management techniques to reduce the impact of bridge construction projects on the public and to reduce bridge construction costs. In the early stages of a construction project, engineers need to assess whether elements of ABC are achievable and effective for a specific bridge location. Use of decision-making tools in early stages of planning is advocated as a mechanism for helping decision maker assess alternatives with more confidence and for preventing investment in alternatives that are more costly. In this study, a set of decision making tools, based on the Bridge Construction Index (BCI) were developed. This tool is prepared for transportation specialists and decision-makers to determine if ABC techniques are more effective than traditional construction for a given bridge replacement or rehabilitation project.