The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) is continually seeking to improve the quality of the construction of transportation facilities in the state.  To this end, ConnDOT is moving toward the implementation of Quality Assurance (QA) for construction activities in which it is involved.

Long established in other industries such as manufacturing, QA has been nationally recognized as a vehicle to achieve improvement in the quality of transportation construction.  A milestone in this regard was the National Quality Initiative (NQI) undertaken in the early 1990's by Transportation agencies and the highway industry.  Participating organizations included AGCA, ACPA, NAPA, the Asphalt Institute, AASHTO, and FHWA, among others.  The NQI Steering Committee drafted the "National Policy on the Quality of Highways," which sought to apply Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to the Transportation sector and identified key factors necessary to improve quality: specification related to performance, adequate assurances for quality, incentives for quality, and the development of quality-management systems.  In addition, the Policy outlined TQM objectives for transportation and recognized three major elements that make for successful TQM implementation: Joint agency-industry involvement, a QA program, and QA specifications.

As we embark on the implementation of Quality Assurance in Connecticut, it is logical to ask what QA entails.  QA specification are different from traditional, method specs.  Target values are specified and quality is measured mathematically in terms of both the deviation from the target values and the variability of the product.  These specifications allow for incentives for superior quality as well as disincentives for work of less than desirable quality.  A QA program delineates roles and responsibilities, contains a system of checks and balances, and includes training and education of all participants.  

The producer, seller, or manufacturer is in the best position to control his or her product.  In a QA system, the Contractor is responsible for Quality Control (QC).  The Agency is responsible for accepting the product, using one of three alternative approaches: it can conduct all of the acceptance sampling and testing, Agency test results are combined with validated QC results, or validated Contractor results are used exclusively.  Validation of QC results requires verification sampling and testing by the Agency.  Regardless of the method, acceptance samples must be randomly obtained.

An Independent Assurance (IA) system provides validity to the QA program.  Its function is to ensure that sampling and testing are being conducted properly.  The Agency or a designated agent conducts testing to evaluate sampling/testing procedures and equipment (not the material). 

If discrepancies arise between Agency and Contractor test results and these differences are of sufficient magnitude to impact payment, a data-discrepancy resolution process is used.  The objective is to resolve all disputes at the lowest possible level, and the data-discrepancy resolution system can include a third party to avoid perceptions of bias.

In Connecticut there have been several achievements in the area of QA implementation.  Several trial specifications and special provisions in the area of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) construction have been developed in conjunction with the HMA Task Force for Pavement Improvement and evaluated on various projects.

As we move forward, it is important to include all participants to achieve successful QA implementation.  Joint involvement, communication, education/training, continuity, and commitment are all key ingredients to a successful effort implementing QA in Connecticut.  With this joint effort and collaboration, we can continue to improve the quality of transportation construction in Connecticut.

A new Glossary of Highway Quality Assurance Terms has been generated by TRB Committee A2F03, Management of Quality Assurance.  This document is recommended to gain a stronger understanding of Quality Assurance and its terms.

TO VIEW IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN OTHER STATES, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE LINKS:

Contact Information

Connecticut Department of Transportation - Division of Research 

280 West Street

Rocky Hill, CT  06067-3502  USA

Telephone: (860) 258-0311

Facsimile (FAX):  (860) 258-0399

Office Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time