NCHRP Project 8-49 Procedures for Cost Estimation and Management for Highway Projects During Planning, Programming, and Preconstruction Draft Guidebook November 4, 2005

Research Objective To develop a guidebook on highway cost estimating management and project cost estimating procedures aimed at achieving greater consistency and accuracy between long-range transportation planning, priority programming, and preconstruction estimates.

Team Organization

Phase I Research Tasks

Phase I Literature  Identification of cost escalation factors  Transportation sector lacks published estimating methods and tools  More non-transportation methods and tools Project Web Site –Project Information –Library –Useful Links

Interaction between strategies, methods, & tools, project development phases, and project complexity Three Dimensions

Flow of strategies, methods and tools

Guidebook Layout Executive Summary Chapter 1 – Introduction Chapter 2 – Agency Cost Estimating and Cost Estimating Management Processes Chapter 3 – Factors and Strategies Chapter 4 – Guidebook Framework Chapter 5 – Guide for Planning Phase Chapter 6 – Guide for Programming and Advanced Planning/Preliminary Design Phase Chapter 7 – Guide for Final Design Phase Chapter 8 – Implementation Issues Chapter 9 – Path Forward Appendix A – Tools

Key Points Guidebook  Focus – cost escalation  Concept – strategies, methods, and tools  Intent – not a “how to” procedures manual  Status – working draft