https://doi.org/10.24928/2020/0121

Investigation of the Use of Lean Construction Practices in Transportation Construction Projects

Mohammad R.A.H. Al Heet¹, Thais da C. L. Alves² & Nensi Lakrori³

¹Former graduate student, MS, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-5314-8338
²Associate Prof., Ph.D., AGC-Paul S. Roel Chair in Const. Eng. and Mgmt., Dept. of Civil, Const., and Env. Eng., San Diego State University, [email protected] , orcid.org/0000-0001-7928-9190
³Full-time Lecturer, PE, MS, LEED BD+C, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-7168-0280

Abstract

The use of Lean Construction (LC) concepts and tools has advanced in different sectors in the United States, including but not limited to, delivery of commercial, educational, and hospital buildings. Many contractors working on these sectors appear to use more collaborative forms of contracts and have been more willing to experimenting with LC. However, in the transportation sector Lean Construction appears to be in its early phases of adoption. This sector has used tools aiming at fostering collaboration which are developed based on recommendations from departments of transportation in different states. Yet, the sector has not embraced Lean practices that could support the design, planning, and construction of these projects. This study aimed at identifying management practices used by organizations building or managing the construction of transportation projects in Southern California and identifying opportunities to use Lean practices to deliver these projects. Interviews were carried out with contractors, owners, and consultants and later categorized to identify the practices used, gaps where LC practices could be implemented, and the level of maturity of the organizations investigated regarding the use of Lean Construction practices. Findings revealed that organizations use collaborative practices, visual management tools, 5S, and root cause analysis to investigate problems.

Keywords

Continuous Improvement, Collaboration, Lean Construction, Transportation

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Reference

Heet, M. R. A. , Alves, T. C. L. & Lakrori, N. 2020. Investigation of the Use of Lean Construction Practices in Transportation Construction Projects, Proc. 28th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) , 541-552. doi.org/10.24928/2020/0121

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