Cost Benefit Analysis of Best Practices for Expediting Utility Relocations on Highway Projects

Utility adjustments continue to be a major cause of delays to highway construction projects. To minimize utility related problems, state departments of transportation (DOTs) have implemented a number of improved strategies called "best practices." This paper presents the findings of a recent study that analyzed the costs and benefits of 45 utility adjustment best practices. The study gathered and evaluated survey responses from State DOT officials on their experiences in implementing these best practices on utility adjustment projects. A total of 42 State DOT officials participated in the survey representing 33 different states. This study analyzed the costs and benefits associated with implementing 45 best practices including the effectiveness in expediting utility adjustment, reduction in project length experienced, problems and challenges encountered as a result of these best practices, and the cost of implementing these practices. The results of this analysis provides DOT decision makers valuable information to select the most beneficial best practices to reduce utility adjustment delays and accelerate utility adjustment projects.