Vilventhan, A and Kalidindi, S N (2018) Utility relocation management in highway projects. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 8(2), pp. 171-182. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: 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. Design/methodology/approach: 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. Findings: 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. Practical implications: Recommendations are provided for the practical use and policy changes. Originality/value: The prioritized technical and coordination strategies can be used systematically to avoid delays in utility relocation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; highway projects; nominal group technique; project delays; utility conflict management; utility relocation |
| Index terms: | conflict management, case study, strategy, literature review, relocation, utilities, highway construction, methodology, evidence, research methodology, India, bridge project, duration, coordination, project delay, complexity |
| Subjects: | data analysis and analytics, construction type, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, research design and methodology, project controls, market analysis, conflict resolution, infrastructure and transport systems, systems engineering, management, civil engineering, research methods, Geography |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Time Control, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here