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This overview by Scott Riddle, Vice President at KCI Technologies, delves into Maryland's utility cost estimating process, highlighting key milestones, tools, and responsibilities. It reflects on the importance of relationships with utility companies, emphasizing that successful project outcomes depend on effective communication and collaboration. The document discusses historical production data, rate of success, and significant project issues, including high estimates and risk management. Strategies for improvement and next steps are explored, aiming to enhance the accuracy and reliability of utility estimates in public infrastructure projects.
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Utility Cost EstimatingIn Practice Scott Riddle Vice President – Public Utilities KCI Technologies Inc.
Overview • Maryland’s Process • 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”.
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 • 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 Impacted Utilities Known, Estimates With Contingences and Prior Rights Complete Final / PS&E Estimate 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
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.