Planning the Implementation of Three-Dimensional Technologies for Design and Construction

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed a specification for highway subgrade construction by automated machine guidance (AMG). Wisconsin DOT is also deploying new design software, capable of providing three-dimensional (3-D) models required for AMG. During 2008, Wisconsin DOT, with assistance from the Construction and Materials Support Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, undertook a study of benefits and impediments to wider use of 3-D information in design and construction. The primary finding of a stakeholder workshop was that 3-D design and AMG are among a larger group of technologies and processes that have interrelated dependencies, synergistic benefits, and shared implementation issues. Thus, the study's objective was expanded to development of a high-level implementation plan for 3-D technologies and methods, in general, for highway design and construction in Wisconsin. The plan presents a vision, a management strategy, and six initiatives, including descriptions of backgrounds, issues, stakeholders, recommendations, goals, timelines, levels of effort, priorities, benefits, relationships with other initiatives, and responsible parties. The initiatives address an ongoing height modernization and continuously operating reference station program; standards, procedures, and training for 3-D data collection; 3-D model content and format standards; additional specifications for AMG; field technology and inspection; and infrastructure life-cycle uses of 3-D data. The plan differentiates between priorities (importance) and precedence (dependencies) among initiatives and goals within them. This information should be beneficial to other state highway agencies considering implementation of 3-D technologies.