Schedule optimization for scattered repetitive projects

This paper addresses a challenging category of repetitive projects that involves scattered sites, such as rehabilitation programs for multiple bridges, multiple schools, etc. The paper proposes a schedule optimization framework with four novel components: (1) scheduling algorithm that efficiently schedules the crews among scattered sites, considering the activities independent site sequences and the time and cost of moving among sites; (2) cost optimization that considers deadlines, crew limits, and optional construction methods to determine the activities' optimum crews, methods, and site sequences; (3) interactive documentation of all progress events to support re-scheduling during construction; and (4) legible schedule representation of scattered projects. A computer prototype was developed and validated on a real-life case study and literature examples. Activity-specific site sequences proved uniquely flexible to optimize the scheduling of scattered projects without extra cost. The proposed framework enables efficient delivery planning of large infrastructure rehabilitation program within the execution constraints.