Many transportation agencies are building new facilities and rebuilding aging infrastructure with improved project risk reduction and system resilience. Geotechnical site variability is recognized as a significant driver of overall project risk, including cost, schedule, and safety impacts. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that discussed the evaluation and mitigation of geotechnical risk as a crucial aspect of a successful construction project. Presenters highlighted risk management methods prescribed in existing Federal Highway Administration design guidelines and compare risk management practices. Presenters also shared a case history on a successful application in a recent accelerated bridge construction (ABC) project.

This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Soil and Rock Properties and Site Characterization.

The slides are linked in the meeting materials. View the recorded webinar below.

Webinar agenda and presenters

1. Using guidelines to understand subsurface conditions and mitigate risk – Darren Beckstrand, Cornforth Associates

2. Contractor perspective on quantifying geotechnical risk – Brian Collins, BGC Consultants

3. Case history: ABC risks and challenges at an operating interstate interchange – Ryan Maw, Gerhart Cole, Inc

4. Question and answer session moderated by Heather Shoup, Illinois Department of Transportation

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Implement available guidelines on how to optimize exploration plans, resulting in lower risks to designer, owners, and contractors

2. Identify geotechnical risks and either document risk mitigation or quantify the risk for the contractor

3. Understand how to characterize risks in geotechnical design and construction for ABC and on alternate contract delivery projects

Professional Development Hours

This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.

American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits

This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.