Applying Lean Techniques in the Delivery of Transportation Infrastructure Construction Projects

It is well documented that construction productivity has been declining since the 1960’s. Additionally, studies have shown that only 40% of construction workers’ time is considered to be value-added work. Interest in the use of Lean techniques for the delivery of large complex capital projects is quickly growing throughout the country. Manufacturing and vertical construction have shown that a project using Lean techniques can be delivered in less time, at lower costs, and with improved quality. However, Lean techniques are not currently being used by State Transportation Agencies (STAs). The implementation of Lean techniques with a Lean Project Delivery (LPD) can be a way for future projects to achieve higher quality, faster completion, and more efficient delivery. To attain this goal, the transportation industry, as a whole, needs to work closely together using non-traditional approaches to achieve the necessary improvement. This study looks at the benefits of Lean techniques in the delivery of transportation projects, along with potential impediments to adoption. Case studies are provided which document the successful use of Lean techniques in the infrastructure industry. The transportation industry provides unique challenges in implementing Lean techniques due to public sector constraints. Special care is needed in identifying obstacles to implementation when going forward with Lean. Once promising techniques and barriers are properly identified, a successful management plan can be created to help STA’s begin their Lean journey.

• Record URL:
  • https://midamericafreight.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/FR_CFIRE_03-11_Final_Report.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/23387
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE)

  University of Wisconsin, Madison
  1415 Engineering Drive, 2205 Engineering Hall
  Madison, WI  United States  53706

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Wodalski, Michael J
  • Thompson, Benjamin P
  • Whited, Gary
  • Hanna, Awad S
• Publication Date: 2011-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 102p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction management; Productivity; Road construction
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lean construction
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; I50: Construction and Supervision of Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01358016
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CFIRE 03-11
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0020
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 1 2011 9:56AM