Economic and Operational Impacts of Three-Dimensional Engineered Models and Automated Machine Guidance on Statewide Roadway Projects

Abstract

This paper investigates the economic and operational impacts of two advanced technology initiatives at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). A three-dimensional (3D) engineered model (3D-EM) and automated machine guidance (AMG) are the results of the agency’s push to take existing 3D design software and create fully detailed 3D computer models for all applicable projects, leading the way for AMG to reach a highly accurate on-the-ground implementation of the project design. Following a case study approach, this paper presents a method to quantify the costs and benefits of this endeavor using return on investment (ROI) and benefit/cost (B/C) ratio, and a method to estimate the odds of PASS (success) for a grade verification point (GVP) using odds and odds ratio. The ROI showed a return of around $23 for every $1 invested in enabling 3D-EMs creation and thus facilitating AMG use on projects for the period from 2014 to 2016. The odds and odds ratio showed that AMG-equipped machines are much more accurate than traditional machines depending on Stakes. The odds of PASS for a GVP in AMG projects are estimated to be 416 times the odds of PASS for a GVP in Stakes projects. The primary contribution of this paper is that it shows how the two investigated technologies, especially when working together, positively impact a state DOT (in this case ODOT) economically and operationally throughout the construction phase of projects.