Unveiling the Gap: A Preliminary Survey-Based Analysis of the Misunderstanding Between Technology Readiness and Maturity for State Departments of Transportation

Efficiently managing complex highway infrastructure in state departments of transportation (DOTs) is crucial, and the successful integration of emerging technologies, including radio frequency identification, barcoding, object-recognition devices, the Global Positioning System/global navigation satellite systems, geographic information systems, unmanned aerial systems or vehicles, ground penetrating radar, light detection and ranging, electronic ticketing, and infrared sensing, plays a vital role in achieving this objective. However, the effective adoption and implementation of these technologies require a clear understanding of technology readiness and maturity. Unfortunately, a significant misunderstanding surrounding these concepts exists, impeding progress. This paper presents a survey-based analysis that draws on literature and input from state DOT personnel to uncover and explore this misunderstanding between readiness and maturity in state DOTs. The survey collected responses related to technology readiness and maturity for these various technologies. Data analysis involved evaluating technology maturity levels and calculating readiness scores based on parameters such as the number of use cases, number of projects, and years of usage. Notably, the analysis revealed positive and negative correlations between readiness and maturity for certain participants, underscoring the existence of a clear misunderstanding of these concepts among state DOT officials. The findings emphasize the need for state DOTs to comprehend the distinctions between readiness and maturity, enhancing decision-making processes and optimizing technology adoption strategies. This paper aims to provide insights into the nuances of readiness and maturity within the context of state DOTs, shedding light on the need for improved understanding and alignment in this area.