Ranking of delay factors in road construction project due to improper construction equipment management

Abstract

Construction time overrun is considered one of the most appearing problems in construction industry. In Road construction, Equipment plays a major role, Hence there is a need for control of delay in road construction projects. This paper aims to identify the equipment delay causes in road construction projects and ranks the critical factors. The equipment delay causes were identified through pilot study and literature papers. The pilot study was done by interviewing 20 experts and the questionnaire were designed. Totally 19 causes were identified and categorized into four main groups namely 1.Maintenance related causes, 2.Equipment related causes, 3.Financial related causes and 4.Personnel related causes. The questionnaire survey received 180 responses on the opinion of Contractor, Equipment dealer, Equipment operator, Site engineer, Project manager and others. The results were analysed using Relative Important Index (RII), Ranking the equipment delay causes identifies the most risky equipment delay factors in road construction project. The most five risky factors are Lack of spare parts, Over usage of equipment leads to crashing, Inadequate equipment, Non allocation of fuel purchase staff and Inexpert or unpractised equipment operator.