Digitizing Material Delivery and Documentation in Highway Construction Using e-Ticketing Technology: Study Based on Qualitative Semistructured Interviews
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 28, Issue 2
Abstract
Electronic Construction (e-Construction) is being increasingly used to minimize the amount of paperwork and simplify the daily operations inherent in the construction of highway infrastructures. Electronic ticketing (e-Ticketing) is a part of e-Construction that aids in the transfer of material tickets in a digital manner, accounting for more than half of construction costs; however, the technology has been pilot tested by several states since the beginning of 2013 and has been disbanded for various reasons. The purpose of this research is to pinpoint the challenges in the deployment of an e-Ticketing platform, as well as to determine the adoption rate of state departments of transportations (DOT) and to assess the benefits. The research method includes a combination of literature review and semistructured interviews to achieve the study’s objectives. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the interview transcripts. The study’s findings are related to the reasons for delays and misconceptions about the implementation of the e-Ticketing platform. Internet connectivity at construction sites and high investment costs were found to be the major challenges that have delayed the implementation of the e-Ticketing platform. The study’s results will aid decision makers in DOTs and engineers build a standard e-Ticketing platform, implement rules and guidelines, reduce investment costs, execute pilot testing, improve inspector safety, and complete projects in a timely and efficient manner.
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Data Availability Statement
All data generated or analyzed during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge the support and generosity of the Transportation Consortium of South-Central States (Tran-SET), without which the present study could not have been completed.
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Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 28 • Issue 2 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 7, 2022
Accepted: Dec 18, 2022
Published online: Feb 10, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 10, 2023
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