As technology evolves, so do the opportunities to improve processes. JEO recently worked on a pilot project for Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU), in Lincoln, Nebraska, to explore modernizing construction administration and asset management activities via e-Construction techniques. These techniques focus on the collection, review, approval, and distribution of construction documents in a paperless environment and involve the electronic capture and submission of construction documentation via mobile devices.

Before testing could begin, the team evaluated current data collection techniques. Previously, construction staff located, tracked, and measured project assets using traditional field methods and hard-copy and paper engineering drawing sets. Daily construction progress was tallied in manual logbooks. Converting hard-copy field notes for installed infrastructure into GIS-based assets for management was a time-consuming and potentially error prone process that could take weeks or even years. This resulted in potential conflicts during later maintenance or infrastructure modifications due to assets not being documented promptly.

The pilot project set out to test e-Construction techniques, using mobile data collection devices tied to the City’s GIS platform, and was completed on linear utility construction projects. 

• In a new construction scenario involving fiber-optic communications system conduit, LTU could conduct typical construction observation but also follow construction crews with GPS-enabled mobile data collection equipment. Infrastructure locations and information about each asset were collected, then loaded into the GIS database from the field. 
• In an asset maintenance scenario, the asset database could be queried and an item located with all characteristics and history embedded, revealing the detailed as-built plans and record GIS shape files. All of this allowed for an accurate cost estimate for maintenance. 
• A water main installation scenario centered on placing infrastructure within the right-of-way near existing assets. Data in the GIS platform was queried and compared to the proposed work to determine whether assets need to be relocated to avoid conflicts. Then, as work was completed, information could be updated in the field with GPS-enabled mobile data collection equipment and saved back into the system for future use and tracking

The project demonstrated that this modern approach was highly successful, leading to significant improvements in efficiency. It also confirmed the effectiveness of field data collection and the seamless integration of engineering design files and GIS platform data. The process showed how projects can progress from design to field data collection to final authoritative GIS files and as-built plans with a quick turnaround. Moreover, the GPS-enabled devices proved accurate in locating and measuring assets within 2 cm. Lastly, it confirmed that design elements can be updated in the field via handheld devices as changes occur in real-time.

LTU is planning further testing on more complex, nonlinear infrastructure projects to assess whether the success of this pilot project can be replicated. 

Click here to read the full article in the Fall 2024 issue of Public Roads magazine.