Subsurface Utility Engineering Manual

This report presents the results of a 12-month study that investigated the challenges and opportunities facing subsurface utility engineering (SUE) in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) projects. The study took an in-depth analysis of ten SUE projects executed by PennDOT districts. Based on this analysis, a decision matrix tool to determine which projects should include SUE and the appropriate level of SUE investigation to be used has been developed. A detailed cost-benefit analysis was also performed on these ten SUE projects. All of the projects showed a strong relationship between SUE benefit-cost ratio and buried utility complexity level at the project site. The analysis clearly showed that there is no relationship between SUE benefit-cost ratio and project cost and also no relationship between buried utility complexity level and project cost. The conclusion of this research is that SUE quality levels A and B should be used based on the complexity of the buried utilities at the construction site to minimize associated risks and obtain maximum benefits.

• Record URL:
  http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/Documents/Research/Complete%20Projects/Construction/WO%208%20Final%20Report.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Transportation Research Building
  University Park, PA  United States  16802

  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Planning and Research
  400 North Street, 6th Floor
  Harrisburg, PA  United States  17120-0064

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Sinha, Sunil K
  • Thomas, H Randolph
  • Wang, Mian C
  • Jung, Yeun Jae
• Publication Date: 2007-8-20

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Bibliography; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 136p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Decision making; Manuals; Public utilities; Underground structures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Subsurface utility engineering
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Pipelines;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01088753
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-PA-2007-027-510401-08, PTI 2008-02
• Contract Numbers: 510401 (WO 08)
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 25 2008 2:36PM