Myung Jin Chae

Asset Management Assessment Model for State Departments of Transportation

Transportation asset management (AM) research has yielded a well-accepted AM framework for state departments of transportation (DOTs) to model. However, no studies have developed a model to measure the level of AM implementation for a benchmarking purpose. This is accomplished through the deliverable of this study: the AM Assessment Model [(AM)2]. The model was developed through the identification of the most critical indicators that point to successful practices for an ideal AM system. These indicators are weighted according to their level of importance using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). While identifying the indicators, a new indicator, AM Culture, was identified and recognized as significant by some of the leading AM experts in the United States. The (AM)2 can be used as a quick diagnostic tool for agencies to determine where they stand in regard to AM practice, and it can assist them in determining how to focus their resources to improve AM within their agencies.

Evaluation of Customer-Driven Level of Service for Water Infrastructure Asset Management

AbstractThere has been an increasing need to examine the level of service from a customer’s perspective in order to set the appropriate service level with a limited maintenance budget. This paper presents an evaluation of a customer-driven level of service based on a survey questionnaire. A hierarchical questionnaire has been developed. The survey result was analyzed based on 800 answers from eight provinces in Korea. Weights between hierarchy levels have been identified through multiple regression analysis. Of the 13 factors considered as governing customer satisfaction with regard to water service safe to drink and service life of water pipes were in the highest priority improvement quadrant in the water service improvement priority analysis. It has been found that there are clear gaps between the views of customers and utility managers regarding water service, and this would be a good starting point in allocating maintenance budgets in a way that achieves maximized and balanced improvement in customer ...

Digital Pipeline Image Scanning and Intelligent Data Management for Sewer Pipelines

There have been several digital pipe scanning technologies for pipeline inspection and condition assessment. Digital pipe scanner means a method of inspecting pipes (usually sewer pipes) using digital optical sensor (digital camera) to scan the inner surface of the pipes. Digital scanning technology delivers not only high quality images, but also well-organized data to be imported into any database system with minimal data conversion and data loss. In the area of sewer infrastructure asset management, digital pipe scanning is one of the crucial technologies for easy inventory, accurate condition assessment and evaluation, and deterioration prediction modeling. An upgraded and new digital pipeline scanning technology is presented in this paper. The system adopted the image processing and software technologies in raw data acquisition, data calibration, image distortion adjustment, and generating reports, and exporting data to Computerized Maintenance and Management System (CMMS). The eventual objective of the research and development is to provide a complete solution for sewer infrastructure asset management that uses all the potential advantages of digital pipeline scanning technology. In this paper, digital image processing, condition assessment, and database management part of the solution is discussed, and future asset management development plan is described.

Development of Image Processing Method for High Quality Pipeline Inspection

Sewer pipelines are buried underground and often forgotten until serious failure happens. Effective and reliable sewer system management is very important for the safe and clean environment. In order to maintain the intended capacity of pipes, effective maintenance based on accurate condition assessment is required. This research suggests a new method that uses digital still images to overcome the limitations of common CCTV pipeline inspection systems. As a result high quality images are obtained for accurate and effective condition assessment of pipelines.

A Case Study for Integrating Lean Six-Sigma and RFID Applications in Construction Processes through Simulation Approach

Various attempts have been made to apply Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technologies to current construction operations and processes; however, RFID applications have still required considerable investments and efforts to be successfully applied in the real construction projects. This paper examines the RFID technology applied to construction projects. A simulation model is developed to quantitatively evaluate the possible productivity benefits of RFID in construction. The model is based on the case study of a real construction project where the critical points of economically feasible solution for RFID application can be searched variable depending on the costs of RFID tags and RFID readers The simulation model also compares performances to apply RFID applications before and after. The results of simulation showed that RFID technology is effective for enhancing the project performances improvement at the operation and process level by reducing cycle time, decreasing queuing time, and improving other benefits including reliability of construction operations compared to invested costs. The results, however, also indicated that RFID application needs for further analysis in view of assessing qualitative aspects as well as implementation obstacles, based on more broaden case studies.

Citis as a Collaborative Virtual Organization for Construction Projects

The recent use of information technology (IT) has effectively promoted integration of fragmented information under the distributed construction environment. However, to date, many Internet based system for online project collaboration solutions do not provide standard formats in transmitting contractual documents and project-related information specifically for public projects. This paper provides a concept of virtual organization and then examines a CITIS (Contractor integrated Technical Information Service) system for the public construction projects developed in Korea from the viewpoint of virtual organization concept. The CITIS system suggested here has been applied to local branches of the Korean MOCT (Ministry of Construction and Transportation) and it is current in use. Finally, lesson learned from the field trial is provided to advance the current CITIS toward a fully integrated collaborative virtual organization.

Six-Sigma Based Approach for Productivity Improvement in Construction Projects

In order to improve the productivity of construction projects and achieve reliable workflow, it is necessary to quantify the eventual goals for the target process assessment. This research explores the feasible solutions for the construction performance improvement by use of the six-sigma principle, which provides appropriate boundaries of controlling critical sources of the variability. Then, a case study is performed with an aid of a simulation tool toward the end of this paper.