Risk Breakdown Matrix for Risk-Based Inspection of Transportation Infrastructure Projects

Abstract

At state transportation agencies (STAs), construction inspection is pivotal to ensuring infrastructure quality. Due to current challenges, STAs have been exploring a risk-based inspection strategy. However, the lack of a systematic approach for risk identification and assessment at the construction activity level is the main limitation. Therefore, this paper introduces an integrated risk-based construction inspection framework by developing a risk breakdown matrix (RBM). Using RBM, critical risks are identified and assessed at the construction activity level. The overall framework is evaluated by using the concrete pavement project as a test case. Results show that the framework could provide risk information (e.g., risk rankings) of construction activities as well as the overall project risk level. The major contribution is that the proposed framework can be applied to various infrastructure projects at STAs, allowing for effective inspection resource allocation, reduction of the inspector’s workload, and consistency in inspection practices.