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Structural Design Program Review. Massachusetts Department of Transportation September 20-23, 2011. Purpose of Review. Provide a service to MassDOT management Identify best practices Recognize areas of excellence Document policies & practices Identify opportunities for improvement.
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Structural DesignProgram Review Massachusetts Department of Transportation September 20-23, 2011
Purpose of Review • Provide a service to MassDOT management • Identify best practices • Recognize areas of excellence • Document policies & practices • Identify opportunities for improvement
Outline • Review Team • Review Process • General Observations • Commendable Practices • Opportunities for Improvement • Discussion
Review Team • Olu Adeyemi – FHWA, Division Office, Cambridge • Tom Saad – FHWA, Resource Center, Matteson • Jamal Elkaissi – FHWA, Resource Center, Denver • Derrell Manceaux – FHWA, Resource Center, Denver • Mike Arpino – FHWA, Division Office, Cambridge • Guatam Sen - MassDOT, Boston • Edmund Newton - MassDOT, Boston • Craig Shike – Oregon DOT
Schedule • Tuesday • Kick off Meeting • Deputy Chief Engineer • Director of Project Development • Design and Project Managers • ABP, In-House and Consultant Managers • Hydraulics Engineer • Wednesday • State Bridge Engineer • ABP, In-House and Consultant Designers • Roadway Design, Environmental and Planning Engineers • Materials Division
Schedule • Thursday • Geotechnical Engineers • Construction • Materials Control • District Office Engineers • Consultants • Friday • Close Out
General Observations • Professional and Motivated Staff • Good Communications, but Specific Suggestions for Improvement • Dynamic Work Environment / Chain of Command • Numerous Major Advancements in last Five Years
Success due to leadership’s commitment to implement new practices and innovative delivery methods • ABP • ABC • FAST 14 • DBE / DUCE (District Bridge Engineer-District Utility Constructability Engineer) • Design Build Implementation
Development, standardization and implementation of “State of the Practice” procedures • Design manuals • Standard structural details • NEXT beam • LRFD procedures
Flexibility of staff to adapt to multiple reorganizations • ABP • Design Build • Special Project team • New District Positions • In-House Design
Expanded partnership with districts, consultants, and traveling public • ABP • Design Build • Manuals Development • Expedited Project Delivery • Environmental: Context Sensitive Design & Bridge Aesthetics
Improvement in specific practices and procedures • Process of public involvement for project development is good • Decision matrix for implementing ABC technologies • Standard details • Bridge design manual developed and updated in-house 1/2
Improvement in specific practices and procedures (cont’d) • Forefront on crash tested bridge rails and transitions • All utility relocations must appear on plans • Record of Design Report – evaluating Consultants • Use of VIRTIS Ratings as check of design 2/2
Training & professional development/need for better communication • Need for Structural Engineer career path • Training for Structural and Consultant engineers • Recognition / reward system • Develop effective team environment • Implement rotational assignments • Succession Planning • No incentive for PE license
Establish In-House bridge design • Track design hours / cost • Consultant review section does not have project authority • Technician to maintain standard details and CADD support • In-house highway design capacity needs to be developed • More focus on bridge design effort
Clearly document roles & responsibilities • In some cases, engineers do not understand full scope of responsibilities • Districts challenging roles and responsibilities • Consultants receive conflicting comments in plan reviews • Authority unclear
QC/QA • Inconsistent QC practices • QA procedures not clearly defined / standardized • Some reviews are redundant • Can use bridge load rating as valid QC method
Tools required • Update software • Substructure structural software • Civil-3d locks computer • Adobe • WORD • Scanner • Update computer hardware
Additional recommendations • Need for Hydraulics Program Review • Applied research • Use of electronic transfer of drawings and plans/shop drawings • Update Standard Specifications • Maintenance Manual • Capital improvement plan for preventive maintenance
Response to ADA request regarding staffing levels following reorganization • Limits on hydraulic and geotechnical capabilities • Increased work load for in-house staff - identify where scoping will be conducted
Schedule for development of final report • Submit draft report to Review Team for comments (Nov 2011) • Comments incorporated (Jan 2012) • Final report (Feb 2012)
Additional topics…..questions?? Thanks MassDOT