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

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

3. 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.

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

5. Planning Estimate

6. 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.

7. 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”

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Results – Total Dollars
Values In Millions

15. Results – Total Cost
Values In Millions

16. Results – By Project

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Questions