Challenges and Innovations in the Implementation of Linear Construction Methods for Road Infrastructure Development

Linear Construction Methods (LCM) have emerged as a transformative solution for managing linear projects such as road infrastructure, offering significant advantages over traditional scheduling methods like the Critical Path Method (CPM) and the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT). Despite their potential to streamline scheduling, optimize resources, and reduce costs, the adoption of LCM faces several challenges. These include technical barriers, limited expertise, resource constraints, stakeholder resistance, and the lack of supportive policies, especially in developing regions. This research investigates these challenges while exploring innovative solutions that enhance LCM’s effectiveness and applicability. The study utilizes secondary data from case studies, such as the Tamil Nadu Highway Project, and expert consensus through the Delphi method to analyze the key barriers to LCM implementation. Innovations like the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) tools are evaluated for their role in addressing these challenges. The findings highlight the potential of LCM to revolutionize road infrastructure development by improving project timelines, cost efficiency, and sustainability. This research provides practical recommendations for engineers, policymakers, and project managers, including structured training programs, policy incentives, and advanced technology integration. The study underscores LCM’s role as a critical tool for achieving efficient, sustainable, and future-ready road infrastructure.