Date Approved

3-2014

Date Posted

4-10-2014

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department or School

College of Technology

Committee Member

John C. Dugger, Ph.D. Dissertation Co-Chair

Committee Member

Hugh Semple, Ph.D. Co-Chair & GIS Representative

Committee Member

William Moylan, Ph.D., Construction & Project Management Representative

Committee Member

William Welsh, Ph.D., Graduate School Representative

Abstract

This survey research effort investigated the relationship between 11 selected Geographic Information System (GIS) functions and three (time, cost, and quality) highway and transportation construction-project success criteria. The population included engineers and information technology professionals in the United States who worked in the highway and transportation area. The sample included members of various appropriate email groups.

No significant relationship between GIS function use and construction project success criteria (time and cost) was found. The third success criterion (customers specification−quality) was not tested because of the lack of variability of the responses. There were significant differences between organizations that focused on highway, street, road, and public sidewalk jobs and other construction organizations that focused on different construction jobs as related to the following two GIS functions: Terrain Modeling and Traffic Management. Some functions that were very close to the .05 level of significance included Estimating Project Costs, Terrain Analysis, 2D and 3D Visualization, and Route/Site Selection.

Recommendations included the following: (a) Engineers and managers should consider using GIS functions for highways, streets, roads, or public sidewalk projects; (b) Special attention should be given to ensuring that appropriate GIS training is provided for all levels in the organization.

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