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Transportation infrastructure projects are inevitably delayed due to delays in the completion of underground utility relocation. Unfamiliar location, difficulty in utility identification and use of ineffective coordination practices hamper timely completion of utility relocation works. This paper aims to develop integrated road information modeling (RIM) and geographic information system (GIS) models to assist early identification of utilities and effective coordination during utility relocation in infrastructure projects.

An ethnographic action-based case study research methodology was adopted in this paper. Two ongoing infrastructure projects with significant utility relocation delays are chosen as case studies and integrated RIM-GIS models are developed to assist utility relocation. To verify the applications of developed RIM-GIS models, a focus group discussion was conducted with 10 field experts from the considered case studies.

The application of the developed RIM-GIS models enabled 3D visualization of existing underground utilities and enabled identification of utility conflicts before the start of the construction. They also enabled facilitating coordination and reduce utility relocation delays. The evaluation of the developed models shows that the RIM-GIS model approach enabled early planning and coordination and facilitates effective management of utility relocations.

The current practices of using CAD and GIS for utility relocations are inadequate due to the difficulties in characterizing utilities and ineffective coordination practices. The proposed RIM-GIS approach can be adopted as a suitable alternative for effective management of utility relocations.

Several studies have contributed toward integrating BIM and GIS for the analysis of highway and utility infrastructure projects. Efforts on integrating RIM and GIS for the support and management of utility relocations in highway and utility infrastructure projects remain unexplored.

The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the interdependence of project complexity factors (PCFs) in metro rail projects using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL). The study provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of project complexities factors and their relationships. The results of the study facilitate effective project planning, proactive risk management and informed decision-making by stakeholders.

This study employs a case-based method for identifying PCFs and a DEMATEL method for analyzing the interdependence of complexity factors in metro rail projects. Initially, PCFs were identified through an extensive literature review. To validate and refine these factors, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty experienced professionals, each having 5–20 years of experience in roles such as project management, engineering, and planning. Further, elevated and underground metro rail projects were purposefully selected as cases, for identifying the similarities and differences in PCFs. A questionnaire survey was conducted with various technical experts in metro rail projects. These experts rated the impact of PCFs on a five-point Likert scale, for the evaluation of the interdependence of PCFs. The DEMATEL technique was used to analyze the interdependencies of the PCFs.

Metro rail projects are influenced by project complexity, which significantly impacts their performance. The analysis reveals that “design problems with existing structures,” “change in design or construction” and “land acquisition” are the key factors contributing to project complexity.

The study of project complexity in metro rail projects is limited because most of the studies have studies on examining complexity in mega projects. The existing literature lacks adequate attention in identifying project complexity and its effects on metro rail project performance. This research aims to bridge this gap by examining project complexity and interdependencies in metro rail projects.

The relocation of existing underground utilities in urban environments is complex because of the existence of multiple utility agencies being responsible for numerous utilities and over constrained space and time to execute maintenance works. Unfamiliar location and insufficient records of maintenance data hamper the flow of work, causing unnecessary delays and conflicts. The aim of the paper is to explore 4 dimensional Building Information Modeling as a smart solution for the management of multiple utility data for a relocation project in an urban setting.

An empirical case-based research methodology is used to collect data and develop the BIM models. Two ongoing construction projects in an urban city are empirically studied, and 4D BIM models of identified utilities are developed to assist management and relocation of existing utilities.

The developed BIM models enabled the location of existing sub-surface utilities through 3D visualization and also enabled clash detection. The 4D simulation of BIM model enabled the tracking of actual progress of relocation works and thereby helped in taking necessary actions to minimize forthcoming delays. The evaluation of the developed model showed that the application of 4D BIM improved communication and coordination during utility relocation works.

4D BIM for utility infrastructure provides better management of utility information. They provide utility stakeholders an efficient way to coordinate, manage utility relocation processes through improved visualization and communication with a reduction in delays and conflicts.

Limited efforts were made using 3D BIM for sub-surface utility infrastructure in visualization and management of utility information. Efforts using 4D BIM in coordination and management of utility projects are left unexplored. This study adds value to the current literature through the application of 4D BIM for utility relocation projects.

The purpose of this research is to develop a project complexity index (PCI) model using the best and worst method (BWM) to quantitatively analyze the impact of project complexities on the performance of metro rail projects.

This study employed a two-phase research methodology. The first phase identifies complexities through a literature review and expert discussions and categorizes different types of complexities in metro rail projects. In the second phase, BWM, a robust multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, was used to prioritize key complexities, and a PCI model was developed. Further, the developed PCI was validated through case studies, and sensitivity analysis was performed to check the accuracy and applicability of the developed PCI model.

The analysis revealed that location complexity exerted the most substantial influence on project performance, followed by environmental, organizational, technological and contractual complexities. Sensitivity analysis revealed the varying impacts of complexity indices on the overall project complexity.

The study's findings offer a novel approach for measuring project complexity's impact on metro rail projects. This allows stakeholders to make informed decisions, allocate resources efficiently and plan strategically.

The existing studies on project complexity identification and quantification were limited to megaprojects other than metro rail projects. Efforts to quantitatively study and analyze the impact of project complexity on metro rail projects are left unattended. The developed PCI model and its validation contribute to the field by providing a definite method to measure and manage complexity in metro rail projects.

Utility relocation issues are unfortunately frequent and recurring problems in several countries’ highway projects. Very few studies have addressed the utility relocation issues in highway projects. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, this paper explores how the utility relocation issues are managed in highway projects. Second, this paper systematically identifies the prioritized technical and coordination strategies to be adopted to avoid delays in utility relocation.

Multiple case-based research methodology was used to explore how the utility relocation issues are managed in highway projects. Empirical evidences from 11 road and bridge projects in India were used to develop the descriptive storyline for each of the project. The strategies used to manage the utility relocation issues were identified from three sources namely literature review, case studies and nominal group technique (NGT). The strategies were then evaluated quantitatively using NGT.

The analysis of the case studies showed that the delays in utility relocation were in the range of 5-52 months. It was found that the duration of relocation of utilities is impacted more significantly by the complexity of underground utilities rather than the size of the projects. Strategies that are used to manage utility relocation were identified across two groups namely; technical and coordination strategies.

Recommendations are provided for the practical use and policy changes.

The prioritized technical and coordination strategies can be used systematically to avoid delays in utility relocation.

The rapid development of the construction industry requires effective ways to monitor and control the project, and the use of 4D BIM is found to be very efficient. The purpose of this paper is to consider development, application and evaluation of 4D Bridge Information Modelling (BrIM) models for an ongoing bridge project.

An ethnographic action-based case study research methodology is adopted in this study. An ongoing bridge construction project in India is chosen and the 4D BrIM application is evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively using planned percentage complete (PPC) measurements and semi-structured interviews, respectively.

The evaluation of the case study shows an increase in PPC values from 26.5 to 56.4 per cent after implementation of 4D BrIM in the project. The application of 4D BrIM in the construction phase benefits the project team in material delivery planning, project monitoring and control, construction schedule improvement, documentation and coordination.

The developed models are practically applied to the ongoing project and the positive benefits are observed. It is shown that 4D BrIM has the potential to improve the construction of bridge projects.

Studies have contributed towards the development and implementation of 3D BrIM models for bridge projects. Limited efforts have been taken to analyse how 4D BrIM models help in the overall management of bridge projects. This study adds value to the existing literature through development, implementation and systematic qualitative and quantitative evaluation of 4D BrIM models.

Relocation of utilities is a major source of delay in Indian infrastructure projects. This delay is particularly critical in road and bridge construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to identify the various factors and also the interrelationships between the factors which influence the delays in the relocation of utilities.

Case studies were conducted on 11 road and bridge projects in India with varying levels of complexity and size. Factors causing relocation delays were identified using computer aided qualitative analysis methodology. Cognitive mapping technique was used to map the interrelationships between the factors and to identify the critical delay factors.

Factors affecting delays were identified across two groups, namely, technical and organizational factors. The study offers insights into the kinds of interactions of factors that can lead to delays in a project. The critical factors causing delays were identified as slow response from utility agencies, difficulty in identification of underground utilities, lack of information on underground utilities and conflict between agencies.

The limitations of the study are that the interview respondents are not evenly distributed among the type of organizations which may have induced some bias in responses. The impact of the utility relocation delays on the overall project delay has to be detailed further.

The interrelationships between factors has the potential to help the officials of highway department, contractors, utility agencies and others understand how various interactions/linkages of factors contributes to delays in utility relocations. Recommendations are provided for the practical use and to reduce the impact of delays.

Utility relocation has received very little attention in the extant literature and this paper seeks to contribute to knowledge in this area by identifying the linkages between factors and the critical factors of utility relocation delays in India.