The Digital Delivery Program is modernizing PennDOT's project delivery processes and contract document media to incorporate digital data. Simply stated, the initiative is that by 2025, construction projects will be able to be bid using 3-D technology and no longer be in a traditional construction plan format. This will help PennDOT to incorporate streamlined processes to manage asset information as it changes through project development.
While PennDOT is currently a leading state for electronic construction management, the construction contract documents are comprised of 2-D plans in PDF format. By 2025, PennDOT will design projects using 3-D-engineered models and deliver the design intent to construction using 3-D -engineered models as the primary document of truth. All project elements — including what would typically be shown on so‐called "also plans" — will be contained within a digital model that would include 2-D and 3-D model elements with attached attributes and references. By selecting elements within a digital model, users could access 2-D representations of related traditional details or call-outs along with relevant calculation data. Users would be able to attach photos, videos, documents, hyperlinks, etc. to model elements.
Contractors and construction inspectors will use the digital models on the project site. The contractor's as‐built deliverable will be an accurate representation of the constructed project. A core value enabler is the use of structured, object‐oriented data within the digital models. Object‐oriented data provides the capability to define the context within which the object is used and thereby align contextual data across the asset lifecycle. For example, connecting the construction tolerance, specification section, pay item number, and performance standards to unify the asset information across the lifecycle.
Purpose
Improved Design Quality
PennDOT is currently rolling out new road design software that automatically generates a 3-D model during the design process. This makes it easier to review the design intent and develop high‐resolution 3-D visuals. When bridges are designed in 3-D using the same coordinate system, it is possible to view the road and bridge designs together.
Reduced Risks and Project Costs or Delays
While the majority of change orders arise from scope changes and unforeseen conditions, digital delivery can make a significant impact on reducing project cost over‐runs. Since 2018, PennDOT has spent on average over $1 million per year in change orders due to design errors and almost $15 million per year in change orders due to design omissions. Digital delivery reallocates the designer's time from detailing 2-D sheets to developing a more mature design. The automatic change propagation with 3-D design enables designers to test "what if?" scenarios to refine constructability and optimize project cost.
Increased Construction Efficiency
Contractors benefit from a more complete representation of the design intent delivered in a more directly usable format. This enables enhanced construction planning and less time extracting information, e.g. for estimating and construction layout. The contractor's field staff and PennDOT's inspectors will use the model elements to reference information such as the pay item name, number, and units and connect to the appropriate part of the specification.
Improved As-Built Records
The digital technology associated with using digital models on the construction site creates an opportunity to reform the as‐built record documentation. Instead of marking up PDF plans, contractors will collect digital as‐built records.
Vision
By 2025, construction projects will be bid using 3-D technology and no longer be in a traditional construction plan format.
Objectives
Use 3-D technology to create high quality, data-rich models of our projects;
Use accessible digital processes and tools to support all project development functions by all stakeholders that replace legacy business systems; and
Develop and implement new information management processes for capturing asset information from projects and using the information to improve inspections and asset management.
Mission
Our mission is to support the digital transformation of project development within PennDOT by developing modeling requirements, processes, and workforce development to enable improved asset information transfer by using 3-D data-rich information models.
Contact
Digital Delivery Email: