Utility Cost Estimating In Practice Scott Riddle Vice President – Public Utilities KCI Technologies Inc.

Overview Maryland’s Process Production History Next Steps….. Milestones Responsibilities Tools Production History Rate of Success Next Steps…..

Background 17 Years of Experience with Utilities Majority of KCI’s Work is Directly for the Utilities. Understanding of DOT’s Needs and Schedules. Success with Utility Coordination Comes From Successful Relationships.

Maryland’s Process Project Planning Utility Estimates by Highway Planners. Rough Assessment Approach. 2002: SHA asked KCI to Develop “Planning Level Utility Estimating Matrix”.

Planning Estimate

Preliminary Investigation 30% Plans Are Sent To The Utility Companies Rough Drainage No MOT Incomplete Grading Utility Company Resource Issues Many Projects Die Between P.I. and Final Provide High “Ball Park” Estimates That Will Often “Kill” Project.

Semi Final – PS&E As SHA Plans Improve Utility Estimates Are Updated Drainage Is Complete Test Pitting Clarifies Impacts Utility Estimates Are Updated As Real Impacts Are Known, Estimates Become More Focused Estimates Maintain High Contingencies Factor Because of “Risk”

Prior Rights SHA initiates the “RW57” Form Process Utilities identify impacted facilities Utilities research for existing easements and Rights of Ways Submit to SHA for review SHA reviews and validates research Final percentage is: Total “Covered” Facilities/Total Facilities

Prior Rights Grey Areas Pole Outside of Right of Way, Conduit in Right of Way Cables Feeding from County Road

Risk Management DOT’s Risk Under Estimate Funding Request Higher Bids Due to Unknown Utility Involvement Delay Claims Due to Concurrent Utility Work Higher Bids Due to Construction Methods Overhead Clearances Handwork

Risk Management Utility Company’s Risk Under Estimate Project Funding Loss of Service to Customers Increased Effort for Relocation

Maryland’s Process Utility Estimate By Highway Planner Estimate By Utility with 30% of Information Planning Estimate Final / PS&E Estimate Impacted Utilities Known, Estimates With Contingences and Prior Rights Complete Actual Construction Rubber Meets the Road

Results – Data Source SHA’s Project Cost Database 925 Total Projects Since 1992 773 Projects with Complete Data 45 Projects with Cost Not Estimated 107 Projects without Final Cost

Results – Total Dollars Values In Millions

Results – Total Cost Values In Millions

Results – By Project

Process Issues Wide Variation on Individual Projects Utility Estimates During Design Excessively High often Killing Projects DOT Can’t Verify or Predict Utility Estimate Utility Company can’t Respond to the Schedule or Flexible needs of DOT

New Approaches Consultant Involvement with Utility Review Relieves burden on Utility Companies Works to DOT’s Schedule Develop Utility Cost Data Interactive Coordination During Design Reduce Changes Continue to Develop Relationship with Utilities.

Questions