Return on Investment of Implementing Subsurface Utility Engineering on Transportation Projects: A Review and Analysis of Previous Cost–Benefit Studies

Abstract

Since the late 1990s, studies conducted on the implementation of the subsurface utility engineering (SUE) concept in the design and planning phase of highway infrastructure projects have repeatedly shown a significant return on investment (ROI). ROI values varied across all studies, influenced by project characteristics, such as the number of projects studied and quantity and quality of project information. This study examines previous ROI studies on the implementation of SUE and compares the methodologies and cost-saving models used to account for the benefits of performing SUE on diverse construction projects. The study further investigates the results of the various cost-saving items and benefit factors to identify the most significant and least cost-saving items. The reduction in utility relocations during construction was identified as the significant cost saving in using SUE, while the direct cost to the public was identified as the least cost saving and not adequately estimated by most studies. The study supports why the adoption of SUE is encouraged for projects involving infrastructure construction and should be considered an integral part of engineering risk management for construction projects.