managing construction through electronic ticketing

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD

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Managing Construction through Electronic Ticketing

August 5, 20201:00-2:30 PM Eastern

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Learning Objectives

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1. List the fundamentals of e-ticketing in highway construction

2.Compare current e-ticketing trends across state transportation agencies

3.Prepare an e-ticketing pilot program for non-users

e-Ticketing: the Basics and KYTC’s Journey

Gabe Dadi P.E., Ph.D.W.L. Raymond and R.E. Shaver Chair

Associate ProfessorUniversity of Kentucky

Program ManagerConstruction Engineering and Project Management

Kentucky Transportation Center

e-Ticketing

The Basics

e-Ticketing Goals

• Reduce inspector workload• Improve data collection

and data recording• Allow inspectors to focus

on most demanding tasks

e-Ticketing Opportunities

DOT

• Web based exchange of material information

Contractors

• GPS/GIS system for fleet tracking and management

How it works

• Cigarette Lighter Adapter– Internal Battery Backup

• Mobile app on smartphones• Ping every minute on haulers• Ping every 30 seconds on pavers/mills• Fee is per truck, no user fees or special software

required

Geozones, Subzones, Geofences

Cycle Time Capability

Daily Shifts

Analyzing Shifts

General Benefits

Real-time Electronic Information Easily sorted and analyzed

Potential to automate processes (shifts, payment, estimates, etc.)

Quick and easy set-up

Web-based

Mobile apps

Works with company or brokered trucks

Other BenefitsDOT

• Safety• Electronic storage of

tickets• Electronic quantity tracking• Advanced review of

delivery• Expedites pay

Contractor

• Data for trucking payroll• Real-time fleet

management• Eliminate bottlenecks at

plant and paver

National Use… more on this later

e-Ticketing

KYTC’s Journey

KYTC’s First Pilots

• MTV• 7,000 tons• 3 rollers• Cores taken• Special Note

• No MTV• 3,000 tons• 2 rollers• No cores taken• Special Note

Collaborative Technologies

Inspection Operation Inspector Responsibility Assistive Technology

Ticket Receipt and Acceptance Collect Tickets

Tracking Theoretical Tonnage (Yield)

Determine theoretical tonnage by station

Temperature Monitoring in the Truck Bed and Paver Hopper

Take temperature readings as normal

Temperature Monitoring behind the Paver and Screed

Take temperature readings as normal

Monitoring Roller Operation Check as normal

Communicating with Contractor QC for Nuclear

Density MeasurementsCheck as normal

Theoretical Tonnage with e-Ticketing

Theoretical Tonnage = Mix Density * Pavement Thickness * Pavement Width * Pavement Length

Paver Mounted Thermal Profiler

• Highly accurate compared to IR shots

• Temperature variations more visible without material transfer vehicle (MTV)

• Speed of paver directly impacted temperature of mat

Temp vs. Speed (no MTV)

Temp vs. Speed (with MTV)

Intelligent Compaction

• Temperature at Breakdown

• Roller pass counts

• Roller speeds

Lessons Learned

Training!

Work with vendor and contractor to get access early

Communicate

Plan for GPS/truck management

Download mobile apps

Items to Consider

Plant upgrades

Small contractor, rural project

Timing of data ownership

Integration into PM software

KYTC’s Timeline

Jan. 2017Mulder

Presentationat TRB

July 2017SPR ProjectEstablished

Dec. 2017Special Notes

Developed

April/May 2018Pilot Projects

Let

July 2018Pilot ProjectsConducted

June 2018Pre-Con Meeting

With Training

Jan. 2019De-brief with

Industry Partners

Feb. 2019Training PresentationTo KYTC Inspectors

Thank You

Q&A after

NCHRP Synthesis Report 545Electronic Ticketing of Materials for Construction Management

Contributors:

Gabriel B. Dadi, University of Kentucky,

Roy E. Sturgill, Jr., Iowa State University

Dhaivat Patel, Stantec,

Chris Van Dyke, Kentucky Transportation Center, and

Greg Mulder, Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/180798.aspx


NCHRP Synthesis Report 545

An abbreviated presentation…

• Survey Findings• Case Studies (some)• Useful Information for those considering e-Ticketing• Trends & Forthcoming Research


• NCHRP Synthesis—Survey Findings• 51 responses from 45 states


• Survey Findings 1st QTR 2019



65%15%

10%5% 5%

Asphalt Concrete Aggregates Millings Other



53%

5%

10%

16%

11%5%

Fleetwatcher by Earthwave iStrada by Sysdyne Command AlkonLibra Systems Developed in-house Trimble



What were the primary benefits of using e-ticketing technologies?

Topic Weighted Score (higher is better) Rank

Reduced paper documentation 75 1Safety benefits 71 2

Time savings in review and consolidation of material quantities 65 3

Readily available material quantity information 64 4Real-time material tracking 58 5

Archived material placement location 40 6Production tracking 27 7

Fleet management to assist with thermal uniformity 5 8



1

1

1

2

3

3

4

5

7

9

0 2 4 6 8 10

Inaccurate quantities

Identifying which pavers the load went to when pavers are…

Accuracy of equipment

Data transfer from 3rd party to DOT storage

Specifiying use for third party suppliers

3rd party haulers with multiple contractors or multiple e-…

Integrating with current project administrative systems

Loss of connectivity

Integrating with plant/supplier IT systems

Accessbility for users

What are the greatest technical challenges?



Which of the following challenges do you believe is most significant to e-ticketing use?

Topic Weighted Score (higher is better) Rank

Connectivity (cellular/Wi-Fi signals) 92 1Haul company pushback 84 2Plant/supplier pushback 76 3

Contractor pushback 64 4Cost 58 5

Accessibility to DOT system/mobile devices to 3rd party e-Ticketing data 41 6Technical Use 40 7Data Security 39 8

Communication/collaboration challenges 34 9DOT staff resistance to process change 32 10

DOT staff resistance to technology 22 11


• Other Benefits• Assisted staff…automatic “ticket-taker”

• Challenges were noted as…• Technical Challenges

• Plant integration • Connectivity

• Process Barriers• Data ownership• Costs




4

6

3

0 00

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfied nordissatisfied

Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied

Considering costs and benefits, what was your level of satisfication with using e-ticketing?



37%

36%

18%

9%

How did you procure e-ticketing?

Included in RFP as a bid item

Contract modification/changeorder

Purchased directly by DOT

Other


• NCHRP Synthesis—Case Studies• Alabama Department of Transportation

• Growing project demands…fewer people• Deployed iPads to staff• Focused on asphalt• E-ticket duplicated by paper in pilots• Weighmaster sealed/stamped tickets• Worry about staff using multiple platforms

• Case Studies 2nd QTR 2019


• NCHRP Synthesis—Case Studies• Alabama Department of Transportation



• NCHRP Synthesis—Case Studies• Iowa Department of Transportation

• Goal: safety and verify material location and chain of custody…• Concrete industry interest• Data ownership concerns• Now, looking for a program and consistency• e-ticketing without tracking



• NCHRP Synthesis—Case Studies• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

• Desired remote data collection for safety• Compared vendors• 3rd party concerns and data security• Visual verification (magnetic signs)• Typically develop systems in-house

• iPad based system coming


NCHRP Synthesis Report 545Material

Type Procurement States with Experience Vendors Used Cost Reported Effective Practices

Asphalt

• Bid Item• Change Order• Developed own

system• Purchased by STA

AL, FL, IA, KY, MN,

MO, ND, PA, UT, VA

• Fleetwatcher by Earthwave

• In-House• Trimble• Libra Systems

$1.04/ton (KYTC)

$10,000 per project

(PennDOT)

• Early stakeholder communication

• Hands-on training• Data storage and transfer

plan

Concrete • Change Order FL, IA• iStrada• Command

AlkonNone reported

• Contractor-producer early buy-in

• Contractor-producer communication

• Thorough stakeholder training

Aggregate • Change Order VA • Fleetwatcher by Earthwave None reported • None reported

Millings • Bid Item PA• Fleetwatcher

by Earthwave• Libra Systems

None reported

• Early stakeholder communication

• Hands-on training• Data storage and transfer

plan



• National Trends• A lot of DOT interest…

• Many states piloting• States trying new materials and…

• Looking for an enterprise solution• A lot of vendor competition

• Moving to systems without hauler tracking• Pros & Cons

Considerations for Instituting e-Ticketing

• You need buy-in• Can you have partnership without knowing who your

stakeholders are?• Is your agency (& field staff) ready?• Is you industry ready?• What material(s) will you focus on?• Will the solution provide material tracking?

• Does this entail 3rd party haulers?• Is there liability in tracking (speed histories, etc.)?


• How will data be transferred and who owns it?• Is there a vendor that fits your needs?

• Will staff need training for multiple technologies?• Will you consider an in-house developed solution?

• Will the data integrate into your contract admin system?

• Is there a bill of lading (electronic)?


• How will you procure the solution?• Is there a good place to start a pilot?

• Willing industry, good connectivity, technology savvy staff

• Will contractors want to know how data is going to be used?

• Is this a single pilot or is there a scale up plan?

Forthcoming Research

• NCHRP Project 03-140• Guidelines for Applications of RFID and Wireless Technologies in

Highway Construction and Asset Management• Continued e-Construction and EDC efforts

e-Ticketing and the Impacts of COVID-19

• Rapid implementation of many electronic aspects• Moves to contactless & paperless• e-Signatures rapidly adopted• Pilot e-Ticketing to statewide use

• Pressure on e-Ticketing (and other electronic tool) vendors• Rapid increase in number of vendors

• Some barriers seems to fade

NCHRP Synthesis Report 545Electronic Ticketing of Materials for Construction Management

Contacts:Gabriel B. Dadi, University of Kentucky

[email protected] E. Sturgill, Jr., Iowa State University

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]



eTicketing

Ken Talbot – State Construction Engineer - AcceptanceAugust 5, 2020

Commercial Software

● Pre-Configured Product

● Cost

● Multiple Systems

● Required Equipment

UDOT COTS Solution

● Requires Configuration

● Free*

● Consistent

● No Third Parties

VS

How:

Life of an eTicket

Wants vs. Needs

Field Notes Paper TIcket eTicketProjectName Project name from supplier X XOrder ID Unique to UDOT Job X XTicket Number ex.17259 X XProduct Description ex. 1/2"SHRP 75 FINEGRADE X XTicket Date Time Ticket generated at plant X XGross (lbs) X XTare (lbs) X XNet (lbs) X XToday Loads Sequential load number X XQuantity (tons) X XToday Quantity (tons) running total for the day X XVehicle ID Truck number used to ID X XPlant Location X XPIN Auto Populated XItem Number Select from domain XInspector Auto Populate from user XVisually Verify Yes/No XTemperature (f) XSample Yes/No XReject Yes/No XPartial Reject (tons) How much was rejected? XNotes From inspector XLocation (Lat, Long) X

Data Workflow

JSON File From

Supplier

ETL with FME

Stored in the UDOT GIS Database and published to ArcGIS Enterprise

Additional Information added with Survey123

{"OrderID" : 3333,"TicketNo" : 25164618,"LocationID" : 100169,"ProductDescription" : "1/2\"SHRP 75 FINEGRADE","TicketDateTime" : "2019-05-09 13:03:00","Gross" : 61000,"Tare" : 27960,"Net" : "33040","Qty" : 16.52,"TodayLoads" : 11,"TodayQuantity" : 214.36,"ProjectName" : "TEST Project","VehicleID" : "CON4","AuditDateTime" : "2019-05-09 04:58:06","Supplier" : "XYZ Corp","ProductID" : "3456","VoidStatus" : "A"

}

JSON Format from Supplier

Survey123● Inspector chooses

project● Allows inspectors to

access tickets using the “inbox” function

● Tickets listed out in order of time sent from the plant

● Inspector chooses the ticket based on the truck number

Truck Number Project Name

Time Ticket Sent

ArcGIS eTicketing Dashboard

ArcGIS Online Web Map

Cell Service Limitations

Advertisement Considerations

No Advertisement Considerations Currently● Made decision not to force this on anyone● Find willing participants (COVID 19 has helped)● Grow momentum by positive experiences ● Get the largest Asphalt products suppliers in Utah comfortable with

the system before considering advertising● Possible advertisement including eTicketing by fall 2020

Pay Estimate Quantities

Pay Estimate Documentation

1 2 3 4

Benefits to Contractor

● Near real time quantities● Itemized Delivery Information

○ (Truck # / Qty / Temp / Notes / Location)● Verify / Reconcile Truck Tickets (Hrs & Loads)● Creates data analytics for better understanding of cycle

times, trucking efficiencies/inefficiencies, etc.

Partnering with Industry

● Initially presented to the URMCA○ UDOT only consists of about 2% of their business○ Hard no○ WW Clyde – PCC pilot project

● UAPA ○ Presented to UAPA with a much better response

■ No new commercial software in batch plants■ No mandation of software/hardware in trucks

○ Granite Construction (Scott Fernald) was first volunteer○ Bruce Jacobsen Enterprise Architect with Granite Construction

Pilots (2019)● 7 Projects with Granite

○ 2,900 tickets for 70,000 tons● 1 Project with Staker-

Parson● Pilot PCC with Geneva

2020 Projects (as of today)

● 11 Projects with Granite○ ~174,000 Tons

● 16 Projects with Staker-Parson○ ~313,000 Tons

● 12 Projects with WW Clyde● Upcoming test Projects with Kilgore

Companies

Concerns● Supplier vs. Prime

○ How does this process work when the Prime is not also the material Supplier?● Bypassing Port of Entries

○ A paper ticket is required in Utah to bypass a port of entry while hauling material● Automation/Scalability

○ Finding ways to create projects when an order is sent to a seperate REST endpoint○ Server capacity if all UDOT projects are using eTicketing

● Enterprise Architecture○ Guidelines for solving problems○ Data Governance

Institutionalization and Expansion on Future Projects

● Create a Standard Operating Procedure○ Document best practices for eTicking at UDOT○ Contact list for project administrators○ Keeping up with new projects

eTicketing Expansion Potentials● PCC

○ WW Clyde is sending PCC tickets○ Much more complex data structure and Integration into

other Department Systems○ Create real time W/C ratio tickets

● Aggregates○ Can we implement the same system?

Ken TalbotState Construction Engineer - Acceptance

[email protected]

eTicketing


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Gabriel Dadi [email protected]

Roy [email protected] State University

Ken Talbot [email protected] Department of Transportation




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