Effective management strategies for complex transportation projects is the focus of a guide, workshop materials and a training program being developed by University of Oklahoma construction science professor Douglas Gransberg in collaboration with an international team of researchers from Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.
Gransberg says, "This project affords the OU research team an opportunity to share its expertise at a global level as well as offer student research assistants access to experts in industry and academia across the nation and around the world, making the value of their OU education much richer." Gransberg acknowledged the Transportation Research Board for the $1.25 million grant awarded to Iowa State University, which includes funding for the OU research through a subcontract.
Gransberg will establish the 'state of practice' by reviewing national and international literature and surveying public and private agencies for transportation project management strategies used in a rapid renewal environment. Next, he will analyze the different project management approaches reviewed and surveyed, then document the best practices. PBS&J, a national engineering, environmental science, architecture, planning and construction firm located on OU's research campus, will assist Gransberg.
Gransberg's analysis will define innovative strategies, methods and tools for successful outcomes, which also will be useful for future transportation projects. The output will include case studies of PBS&J projects. Gransberg will test the applicability of the guide by conducting at least two pilot workshops, regional workshops and a training program consistent with National Highway Institute course development protocols.
An additional benefit of the award is an international student exchange program established with the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. OU undergraduate student Sarah Brockhaus will work with Susan Tighe, civil and environmental engineering professor, on a green pavement design project funded by the Canadian Ministry of Transport, the Oklahoma Asphalt Paving Association and the TRB grant. OU graduate student Dominique Pittinger with Tighe's assistance will focus on sustainable airport pavement maintenance practices at the Toronto Airport and how they relate to complex aviation projects.