TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD 2025 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE*

OFFICERS

CHAIR: Leslie S. Richards, Professor of Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

VICE CHAIR: Joel M. Jundt, Secretary of Transportation, South Dakota Department of Transportation, Pierre

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Victoria Sheehan, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC

MEMBERS

James F. Albaugh, President and CEO, The Boeing Company (retired), Scottsdale, AZ

Carlos M. Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake City

Douglas C. Ceva, Vice President, Customer Lead Solutions, Prologis, Inc., Jupiter, FL

Nancy Daubenberger, Commissioner of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul

Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation, Albany

Garrett Eucalitto, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Newington

Andrew Fremier, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco, CA

Martha Grabowski, Professor Emerita, Information Systems, Le Moyne College, Madden College of Business & Economics, Cazenovia, NY

Randell Iwasaki, President and CEO, Iwasaki Consulting Services, Walnut Creek, CA

Carol A. Lewis, Professor, Transportation Studies, Texas Southern University, Houston

Hani S. Mahmassani, W.A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation; Director, Transportation Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Scott C. Marler, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation, Ames

Ricardo Martinez, Adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, GA

Russell McMurry, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta

Craig E. Philip, Research Professor and Director, VECTOR, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Steward T.A. Pickett, Distinguished Senior Scientist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY

Susan A. Shaheen, Professor and Co-Director, Transportation Sustainability Research Center, University of California, Berkeley

Marc Williams, Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin

EX OFFICIO MEMBERS

Michael R. Berube, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC

Steven G. Bradbury, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC

Steven Cliff, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento

LeRoy Gishi, Chief, Division of Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, Germantown, MD

Firas Ibrahim, Director, Office of Research, Development, and Technology, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), Washington, DC

Jason Kelly, Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC

Sandra Knight, President, WaterWonks, LLC, Washington, DC

Ben Kochman, Acting Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Washington, DC

Zahra “Niloo” Parvinashtiani, Engineer, Mobility Consultant Solutions, Iteris Inc., Fairfax, VA, and Chair, TRB Young Members Coordinating Council

Chris Rocheleau, Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC

Gloria Shepherd, Acting Deputy Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC

Karl Simon, Director, Transportation and Climate Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC

Jim Tymon, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, DC

___________________

^* Membership as of May 2025.

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM

Digital Model–Based Project
Development and Delivery

A GUIDE FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Alexa Mitchell
HDR
Phoenix, AZ
AND
Jennifer Steen
HDR
Richboro, PA

Francesca Maier
FAIR CAPE CONSULTING LLC
Richland, WA

Hala Nassereddine
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Lexington, KY

Marcia Yockey
HDR
Ann Arbor, MI

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Rachel Catchings
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Lexington, KY

John Reese
HDR
Dallas, TX

Subscriber Categories
Administration and Management • Construction • Design

Research sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM

Systematic, well-designed, and implementable research is the most effective way to solve many problems facing state department of transportation (DOT) administrators and engineers. Often, highway problems are of local or regional interest and can best be studied by state DOTs individually or in cooperation with their state universities and others. However, the accelerating growth of highway transportation results in increasingly complex problems of wide interest to highway authorities. These problems are best studied through a coordinated program of cooperative research.

Recognizing this need, the leadership of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 1962 initiated an objective national highway research program using modern scientific techniques—the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). NCHRP is supported on a continuing basis by funds from participating member states of AASHTO and receives the full cooperation and support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), United States Department of Transportation.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine was requested by AASHTO to administer the research program because of TRB’s recognized objectivity and understanding of modern research practices. TRB is uniquely suited for this purpose for many reasons: TRB maintains an extensive committee structure from which authorities on any highway transportation subject may be drawn; TRB possesses avenues of communications and cooperation with federal, state, and local governmental agencies, universities, and industry; TRB’s relationship to the National Academies is an insurance of objectivity; and TRB maintains a full-time staff of specialists in highway transportation matters to bring the findings of research directly to those in a position to use them.

The program is developed on the basis of research needs identified by chief administrators and other staff of the highway and transportation departments, by committees of AASHTO, and by the FHWA. Topics of the highest merit are selected by the AASHTO Special Committee on Research and Innovation (R&I), and each year R&I’s recommendations are proposed to the AASHTO Board of Directors, the FHWA, and the National Academies. Research projects to address these topics are defined by NCHRP, and qualified research agencies are selected from submitted proposals. Administration and oversight of research contracts are the responsibilities of NCHRP.

The needs for highway research are many, and NCHRP can make significant contributions to solving highway transportation problems of mutual concern to many responsible groups. The program, however, is intended to complement, rather than to substitute for or duplicate, other highway research programs.

NCHRP RESEARCH REPORT 1153

Project 10-113
ISSN 2572-3766 (Print)
ISSN 2572-3774 (Online)
ISBN 978-0-309-99422-4
Library of Congress Control Number 2025942939
Digital Object Identifier: 10.17226/29171

© 2025 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the graphical logo are trademarks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Authors herein are responsible for the originality and accuracy of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) grants permission to reproduce written material in this publication for classroom and non-commercial purposes subject to the rights of any third parties and appropriate attribution. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply NAS, TRB, AASHTO, APTA, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, or NHTSA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. For other uses of the written material, users must request permission from the National Academies Press.

NOTICE

The research report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board and approved by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

This material is based upon work supported by the FHWA under Agreement No. 693JJ32350025. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed or implied in this document are those of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; the FHWA; or the program sponsors.

The Transportation Research Board does not develop, issue, or publish standards or specifications. The Transportation Research Board manages applied research projects which provide the scientific foundation that may be used by Transportation Research Board sponsors, industry associations, or other organizations as the basis for revised practices, procedures, or specifications.

The Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the sponsors of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names or logos appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of the report.

Published research reports of the

NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM

are available from

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and can be ordered through the Internet by going to
https://nap.nationalacademies.org

Printed in the United States of America

The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. Tsu-Jae Liu is president.

The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president.

The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.

Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org.

The Transportation Research Board is one of seven major program divisions of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to mobilize expertise, experience, and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges. The Board’s varied activities annually engage about 8,500 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state departments of transportation, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation.

Learn more about the Transportation Research Board at www.TRB.org.

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS

CRP STAFF FOR NCHRP RESEARCH REPORT 1153

Monique R. Evans, Director, Cooperative Research Programs

Waseem Dekelbab, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs, and Manager, National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Ahmad Abu-Hawash, Senior Program Officer

Sheila A. Moore, Program Associate

Natalie Barnes, Director of Publications

Heather DiAngelis, Associate Director of Publications

Lisa Whittington, Editor

NCHRP PROJECT 10-113 PANEL
Field of Materials and Construction—Area of Specs, Procedures, and Practices

Katherine J. Lloyd, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Nashville, TN (Chair)

Sreenivas Alampalli, Stantec, New York, NY

Mark Bucci, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Baton Rouge, LA

Arielle Ehrlich, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Oakdale, MN

Allen Melley, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Harrisburg, PA

Jesus Mora, California Department of Transportation, Sacramento, CA

Yelda Turkan, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Scott Walls, Delaware Department of Transportation, Dover, DE

Bryan Cawley, FHWA Liaison

FOREWORD

By Ahmad Abu-Hawash
Staff Officer
Transportation Research Board

NCHRP Research Report 1153: Digital Model–Based Project Development and Delivery: A Guide for Quality Management presents state-of-the-art information to assist state departments of transportation (DOTs) in their review of three-dimensional (3D) models that are contractually binding and to advance the use of digital project development and delivery. The guide provides suggestions based on extensive review and study of the state of practice and industry trends. The findings will be a valuable resource for state DOTs and other public transportation agencies.

State DOTs have begun changing the medium of construction contract documents from paper or two-dimensional (2D) plans to 3D models that are contractually binding. The driver of this major change is the ability for contractors and inspectors to use 3D models directly to support project activities and communicate the design intent. However, changing the medium of construction contract documents has created challenges for state DOTs, including a lack of robust review and documentation procedures as well as automated quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) management processes for 3D models. The procedures for reviewing 2D plans are well established but do not translate easily to 3D models. There was a need to develop procedures that state DOTs can use for their review of 3D models, including data validation as well as QC and QA, and provide opportunities to automate the review and documentation procedures.

Under NCHRP Project 10-113, “Quality Management for 3D Model-Based Project Development and Delivery,” HDR Engineering, Inc. was asked to provide a guide to assist state DOTs with developing quality management processes for a 3D model–based approach for project development and delivery. The research includes a data dictionary for quality management metadata and a review checklist spreadsheet.

The research team’s documentation of the guide development process and the entire research effort is available on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for NCHRP Web-Only Document 428: Quality Management for Digital Model–Based Project Development and Delivery.

In addition, the following materials can be found on the website by searching for NCHRP Research Report 1153: Digital Model–Based Project Development and Delivery: A Guide for Quality Management:

• Appendix F Addendum: Review Checklist Spreadsheet,
• Implementation plan, and
• Guide Overview (webinar slides).

CONTENTS

Summary

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Significance of This Guide

1.2 Quality Management Objectives

1.3 New Opportunities

1.4 New Challenges

1.5 Appendices

Chapter 2 Quality Management Concepts

2.1 Quality Management Principles

2.2 Notable Quality Management Practices

2.3 Project Execution

Chapter 3 Records Management

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Management of Digital Records

3.3 Paperless Quality Artifacts

Chapter 4 Model Reviews

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Model Structure and Composition

4.3 Design Compliance

4.4 Roles and Responsibilities

4.5 Review Process and Preparation

Chapter 5 Components of Review

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Model Development Standards

5.3 Review Tools and Job Aids

Chapter 6 Agency Considerations for Implementing This Guide

6.1 Introduction

6.2 People: Change Management and Workforce Development

6.3 Process: Planning Changes to the Quality Management Process

6.4 Technology: Current Functionality and Ongoing Developments

6.5 Conclusion

References and Bibliography

Acronyms

Appendix A Glossary

Appendix B Model Elements Taxonomy

Appendix C Review Documentation Property Set

Appendix D Competencies

Appendix E Review Procedures

Appendix F Sample Quality Artifacts and Checklists