Automated Constructibility Analysis of Work-Zone Traffic-Control Planning

Constructibility, in simple words, is the ability to construct effectively. This study involved the development of a prototype system to perform highway constructibility analysis of traffic-control planning (TCP). The results of meetings with personnel at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) indicated that work-zone traffic control is one of the most critical factors impeding the constructibility of highway projects. The lack of personnel, the inability to fill the knowledge void caused by transfer or retirement of experts in the field, and the inability to effectively learn from mistakes are some factors that indicate a need for advanced automation techniques in the highway construction industry. The prototype system developed included a database module (CONTRAF), an expert system module (TRAPS), and a fuzzy scheduling module. It is developed to provide designers and construction managers with generic constructibility recommendations on traffic control, and direct access to a constructibility database, before the final TCP is designed. Once the final TCP is developed, the system helps in phasing the activities, calculating the fuzzy durations of the activities, and linking the activities to a project-management software for project scheduling.