SPR 18-554 E-Tickets and Advanced Technologies for Efficient Construction Inspection

The primary objective of this SPR project is to evaluate the opportunity and perfoimance of e-ticketing and other advanced technologies for construction inspections. To meet this objective, the researchers will conduct a feasibility study and preliminary tests of these technologies. Collecting load tickets is an example of an antiquated practice that puts inspectors in harrn's way either adjacent to traffic, in close proximity to moving or backing equipment, or at tirnes requires climbing onto trucks to reach tickets. Technology exists to collect this information electronically allowing for safer and more efficient inspection methods. This initiative will work in complement with KYTC's current e-Constiuction initiatives, funded through the FHWA STIC program, but this study fills an important void of tying multiple technologies together for safer and efficient inspection and tying electronic records of contractors and suppliers to those of KYTC. The central aspect of this research is electronic supplier ticketing and GPS/GIS tracking of materials. Additional analysis will research a collaboration of e-Ticketing information with technologies such as intelligent compaction and other remote sensing to investigate paving inspection augmented by remote access to live project records (temperatures, paving patterns, theoretical tonnages, etc.). *** This Research Program for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018 is submitted in compliance with the provisions of Section 307 of Title 23, United States Code, and describes programs and operations for planning activities in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the Kentucky Cooperative Transportation Research Program (KCTRP). This program modifies and updates such programs and is specifically intended to reflect the needs of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. It is fully expected that products from this program will also have national applications. The University of Kentucky Transportation Center is the main research group for the the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The SPR grant is the funding the is supplied each year for the many topics the Center is asked to research for KYTC The KCTRP is concerned with the development and conduct of a comprehensive research program in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In addition to research developed in cooperation with FHWA, the KCTRP may perform other services for the KYTC on a nonparticipating basis. The scope of these services could include activities such as research studies and special investigations of various engineering and operation activities. The Research Program and Implementation Advisory Committee (RPIAC), headed by the State Highway Engineer and coordinated through the Research Coordinator, will give direction to the research program.