Quantifying the effects of interference for an alternative method of construction productivity estimation

The asphalt pavement operation is one of the most critical activities in the highway construction schedule, and accurate estimation of its productivity is the key element to estimate the duration of the operation and to determine the expected completion time of the highway pavement projects. The objectives of this research were to develop, evaluate, and verify an alternative method to estimate construction productivity of the operation. The researcher measured various productivity parameters for over two years from four pavement research projects that fall into a different category when classified by geographic feature and the pavement structure. Various interference factors were identified and categorized by their types. The factors were further categorized by their causes and association with each sub-task involved in the operation. The likely magnitude of interference on each sub-task was quantified to estimate the productivity of pavement operations by utilizing existing process simulation models. The research result showed that the accuracy of the productivity estimation was significantly improved in all four research projects and two other pavement projects chosen for validation. By using the alternative method proposed by this research, the transportation agencies can estimate construction productivity for the pavement operation more accurately.