Abstract
Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been put in practice by the Chinese government, several High-Speed Railways (HSR) have been built by Chinese Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) firms. However, many delays have created severe detrimental consequences on the progress of most HSR projects. This study sought to explore the essence of the recurring triggers of delays in international EPC HSR projects under the BRI, and a structured questionnaire survey approach was applied to compile the first-hand dataset from Chinese EPC firms working for BRI infrastructure projects. The data were evaluated, and the Relative Importance Index (RII) was adopted to assess the magnitude of the important delay triggers. The findings suggest that HSR projects are still susceptible to unavoidable delays in global construction infrastructure projects. In the engineering phase, improper management of the design, unsustainable land acquisition, and insufficient use of EPC joint venture are the salient trigger of delays. In the procurement phase, the leading causes of unsuitable procurement, undervalued procurement cost, inefficient logistics in labor and materials, improper planning, unqualified site supervisors, inefficient technical standard management, and inefficient constant payment terms are likely to trigger delays in the construction phase HSR projects. Five critical groups of delay factors are identified by this study, which has an essential primary contribution to the body of knowledge and is helpful to EPC contractors working for HSR projects under BRI.
Highlights
The Chinese government, highlighting the need for further international involvement that is economically advantageous and furthers social development, initiated the Belt andRoad Initiative (BRI) to make headway in infrastructure growth
This study identified, evaluated, and categorized the reasons for the delay of the EPCHSR project into five influential groups as contractor-related (CR), equipment-related (ER), design-related (DR), projects-related (PR), and materials related (MR)
The most critical delay factors in the perceptions of the contractors are attributed to lack of contractor expertise (RII = 0.858), inadequate project coordination and preparation (RII = 0.827), and poor site control and monitoring (RII = 0.824)
Summary
The Chinese government, highlighting the need for further international involvement that is economically advantageous and furthers social development, initiated the Belt and. Road Initiative (BRI) to make headway in infrastructure growth. The initiative began getting underway, or completed by moving forward, with other nations and regions in 2013. The BRI contributes to the advancement and expansion of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and prolong the practice of wide-ranging opening of new segment of markets to represent the beginning of a new paradigm [1]. Infrastructure construction is a critical component of the BRI, and it has made a significant contribution in facilitating international integration and advancement in the region, primarily during the initiative’s beginning phases [4]
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