Automated contract time determination system for highway projects

Contract time is the maximum time allowed for completion of all work described in the contract documents. An accurate forecast of contract time for highway projects is crucial to contract administration by State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) because the predicted duration and associated cost form the basis for budgeting, planning, monitoring and even litigation purposes. This paper discusses a framework for determining contract time for highway projects in Oklahoma and presents a stand-alone computer software package which automates the entire procedure. The system developed in this study can be used as a basis for better project planning for DOTs. It can also provide documentation for a stronger defense in possible contract time disputes and will allow less experienced personnel to gain confidence as they learn how to consistently estimate reasonable and realistic contract time for highway projects.