Developing a Framework for Defining Quality and Constructability of Transportation Projects

Changing demographics in Vermont is resulting in an aging contractor workforce and difficulties attracting new employees into the construction trades. Project plan content and the quality processes at the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) have not changed significantly since the construction of the Interstate. And in that time, much has changed with materials, construction equipment, and technology in the transportation industry. VTrans is experiencing less competition when bidding projects with corresponding price increases that appear to outpace inflation. Currently there is no formal process to engage the contracting community to get feedback on plan content, project risk and quality. This research would develop a framework for VTrans to implement to engage the contracting community to improve partnering and for feedback to VTrans (Structures Program) to better define risk, quality, and constructability.