Using GIS with Value Engineering/Value Analysis (VE/VA) for Enhanced Suitability Assessment in Transportation Projects
Highlights
- The Pampanga Mass Transit System (PAMTS) is a project aimed at growing the economy of Pampanga province through improved transport interconnectivity.
- GIS was used to support Value Engineering and Value Analysis (VE/VA) to facilitate a more efficient decision-making.
- Maximizing the benefits of GIS with Value Engineering and Value Analysis resulted in effective transit alternatives while staying aligned with sustainable development goals.
The seamless movement of people, goods, and information significantly impacts a region’s economic vitality, social equity, and overall quality of life. That’s why an efficient transportation system and well-planned urban development are key to socioeconomic progress. Take Singapore, for instance, where mass transit, public spaces, and digital infrastructure are all interconnected, making the island nation a poster child for successful urban connectivity.
This is the goal of the Pampanga Mass Transit System (PAMTS), a project aimed at enhancing intracity connectivity to spur regional growth. The project involved a meticulous study encompassing market dynamics, technical feasibility, social impacts, and environmental sustainability.
Problem: Organizing and presenting extensive data for a more efficient evaluation process
PAMTS faced significant challenges, including understanding ridership patterns, integrating the transit infrastructure within the urban fabric, addressing community concerns, and ensuring environmental stewardship. It was also crucial to get a clear understanding of the roles of everyone involved and the project’s economic impact so that these were aligned with sustainable development goals and the evolving needs of the province.
Furthermore, the sheer amount of information that had to be tackled was overwhelming. Systematically collating all the needed data was extremely important for the the project to achieve its goal. Hence, it was necessary to employ a system that could visualize and simplify complex geographic relationships so that spatial risks could be identified and analyzed.
Solution: Maximizing GIS and Value Engineering/Value Analysis to collate massive data
A Value Engineering/Value Analysis (VE/VA) workshop was conducted to address these challenges. The seminar, held at the Joy-Nostlag Hotel in Pasig City in April 2019, focused on creative problem-solving to achieve effective results without sacrificing quality—a vital factor to the success of PAMTS.
GIS was employed to further address the challenge of dealing with the overwhelming amount of data. Using GIS for suitability analysis made it possible to examine spatial patterns and visualize complex relationships for effective value analysis.
Pushpins collaborated with the study team, working most closely with the land use planning expert, to generate several maps to support the VE/VA workshop. These were prepared either ahead of time or on the spot, and included the following information:
Administrative and demographic — Administrative boundaries, general population, worker population, income, housing, poverty incidence
Natural conditions and hazards — Elevation, slope, earthquake-induced landslide, ground shaking, liquefaction, tsunami, volcanic hazard
Infrastructure and transportation — Annual average daily traffic (AADT), public transportation passenger count, Philippine National Railway right-of-way
Cultural and recreational — Historical/cultural sites, tourist sites, protected areas
Planning and development — Built-up areas, future developments, land use
These maps served as primary materials used to visualize and analyze the various schemes proposed by workshop participants, who are experts from multiple disciplines.
Overlaying various information layers provided valuable insights during the workshop. Despite the vast number of datasets required, our experience in sourcing GIS-ready data minimized the processing of non-digitized raw information. Other study team members readily lent their support to make the process more efficient. Thanks to this collaborative effort, all relevant data were made available and were properly integrated for the workshop.
Results: Clear insights for efficient project alignment
With a systematic collection and presentation of the necessary data during the VE/VA workshop, the project team was able to achieve the following:
- Tackle extensive information, including ridership patterns, infrastructure integration, community concerns, and environmental impact, among many others.
- Determine the specific roles of all agencies and organizations involved.
- Thoroughly examine the various aspects of the project for efficient resource allocation, economic viability, performance standards, risk mitigation, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Identify efficient options for potential transit systems and the optimal routes that would serve the populated areas and future development centers while reducing risks such as delays, overlapping alternatives, and negative environmental and social impact.
The PAMTS project demonstrated the critical role of how GIS supports the Value Engineering and Value Analysis process. Aside from streamlining decision-making, GIS for transportation planning also provided a robust foundation for the transit system’s development.
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Pushpins worked with the joint venture of Systra Philippines Inc. and Angel Lazaro & Associates International (ALAI), primary consultants of the “Consulting Services on the Conduct of Feasibility Study for the Pampanga Mass Transit System.” The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) led this initiative. Pushpins provided GIS consulting services to generate comprehensive spatial data and maps in support of the Value Engineering/Value Analysis (VE/VA) workshop.
If your organization faces similar challenges or requires innovative solutions for complex projects, reach out to us. Our expertise in GIS can provide the strategic insights and practical solutions necessary for your project’s success.