Design-Build Change Order Impacts in Highway Projects

Design-Build (DB) has gained in popularity in roadway projects due to its defining advantage to improve communication and fast-track project delivery. However, very little is known about the impact of change order frequency and occurrence timing pertaining to DB projects. The study analyzes their impacts on project time and cost performance by conducting a rigorous numerical analysis drawing on 530 3R (rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resurfacing) projects completed between 2002 and 2011 in Florida by using a multiple linear regression. The results indicate that DB outperformed Design-Bid-Build in project cost as well as time. Critically, the regression analysis signifies that earlier change order occurrence caused more unfavorable impacts on schedule and cost. The proposed analyses and models will lead to the improved ability of agencies to quickly and more reliably estimate the potential change order impacts on schedule and cost.