Productivity Enhancement for Maintenance Equipment Operations Using Telematics Technology

Historically the construction industry has taken a conservative approach to using new technologies; however there is increasing demand from both public and private sector to enhance roadway maintenance operation productivity using a telematics technology. The term telematics literally means any integrated use of wireless telecommunication and informatics. Telematics collect and transmit various real time data from remotely deployed equipment to a centrally integrated database system through various wireless systems. The use of telematics technology is a way to not only assess existing equipment productivity but also provide a baseline for future productivity improvement, optimizing operation planning, and establishing long-term strategic organization. Operation managers will potentially achieve various benefits such as more effective and efficient equipment operation in a wider area, flexibility and resiliency of operation planning, and, eventually, financial benefits from the ability to use smaller maintenance equipment fleets. The paper presents 1) details of telematics technology, and a suggested application plan for telematics data collection system implementation, 2) information on raw data integration and productivity data analysis for development of a fleet management metrics to identify areas of improvement.