Sustainable and User-Driven Scope Development Framework for Engineering Design Services of Transportation Infrastructure Projects

Rapid economic growth has led to a significant increase in transportation demands, exerting unprecedented pressure on infrastructure systems in the United States. State transportation agencies play a vital role in maintaining and developing transportation infrastructure networks within their regions. State transportation agencies face immense pressure from federal and state governments, elected officials, and the public to deliver projects efficiently and within budget. State transportation agencies rely on professional consultants for engineering design services. Engineering design services for transportation infrastructure projects are delayed due to incomplete inaccurate scope. For state Department of Transportation (DOTs), a streamlined scope development process is essential to ensuring that consultants fully understand project requirements from the outset, reducing delays and budget overruns. This dissertation presents a sustainable scope development framework designed to standardize, automate, and enhance the scope development process for engineering design services in transportation infrastructure projects. The framework includes a comprehensive scope template, ensuring that all projects adhere to consistent language, structure, and organizational standards. State DOTs historical data, input from subject matter experts, and analysis of state DOTs practices informed the development of the comprehensive scope template for transportation engineering design services. Another component of the scope development framework is the decision variables. Fifty (50) dichotomous decision variables were identified that influence project scope. To enhance user experience and facilitate the process, a user interface was developed, enabling users to input project-specific decisions. This framework expedites the scope development process and minimizes the likelihood of misinterpretations of scope text and language. The framework underwent rigorous evaluation to ensure accuracy and effectiveness, examining the significance of decision variables and their interrelationships. Key metrics such as redundancy ratio, project schedule impact, and co-occurrence patterns among decision variables were analyzed to validate the framework’s reliability and optimize its performance. Furthermore, a structured process for updating and maintaining the framework was established, identifying essential components that require regular updates and triggers for these updates, while also investigating best practices to ensure the framework remains relevant and effective. This scope development framework offers state DOTs a robust, adaptable tool for improving project delivery through more accurate and consistent scope development. By supporting clearer project requirements and efficient scope management, this framework contributes to faster project initiation, streamlined communications with consultants, and enhanced project outcomes across transportation infrastructure project.