Emerging and current technologies, including field data collection tools and artificial intelligence, hold the promise of transforming data collection for transportation asset management (TAM). While these technologies have drastically improved the accessibility of, affordability of, and ability to collect high volumes of asset inventory data, it is still a challenge to turn data into actionable information that improves asset management life-cycle and decision-making processes. 

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this research is to develop a guide to assist state departments of transportation in decision-making and implementation as they relate to emerging and established technologies used to capture and update changes to transportation assets. 

TASKS:

 PHASE I—Planning

Task 1: Literature Review

The research team shall Conduct a comprehensive review of the most relevant literature and related resources on current state-of-practice of asset management and the use of technology to capture, process, and manage asset inventory and condition data. The review shall include published and unpublished documentation and research conducted through the NCHRP; the Federal Highway Administration; and other national, state, and local agencies. Content analysis shall be performed on the collected literature and an annotated bibliography with a critical technical analysis of key literature and identified gaps in the literature shall be developed and provided to the NCHRP panel.

Task 2: Current State-of-Practice

The research team shall scan the current state of practice to identify policies, resources, and strategies used for asset management for maintenance activities throughout the lifecycle as well as within different asset classes. This task includes identification of best practices nationwide that involves existing asset classes and additions to the transportation system. The review shall cover state DOTs and local agencies when feasible. The review shall be two-tiered: desk review and practitioners’ outreach. The desk review shall focus on published transportation agencies plans and reports, while the outreach shall reveal the unpublished side of the story, since not all practices are published in asset maintenance field through a survey of state DOTs. The research team shall develop and conduct targeted one-on-one interviews to engage with the agencies that excel in their asset management practices. The team shall develop a criteria matrix to identify state DOTs that demonstrate advanced capabilities based on the proposes People-Process-Technology-Data framework. At least 10 agencies shall be interviewed under this task. Semi-structured interviews shall be conducted online, each lasting either 60 or 90 minutes, depending on the availability of the interviewees.

Task 3. Synthesis of Tasks 1 and 2

The research team shall summarize and synthesize the results of the literature review and the current practice scan to identify knowledge gaps related to the research objective. The state-of-the-practice technical memorandum shall provide key insights derived from preliminary research, analysis, and practitioner outreach, focusing on both the successful ancillary assets maintenance practices and the knowledge and practice gaps shaping the strategic direction for subsequent research tasks. The research team shall provide a thorough list of gaps with an assessment of their importance to achieving the objective of this research project. The gaps shall be addressed in the final product or the recommended future research.

Task 4. Research Plan Proposal

The research team shall propose a research plan to be executed in Phase II, to achieve the research objective. The research plan shall include: 

- Developing a guide that incorporates the following:

• Pertinent asset classes and data elements (attributes) and related emerging data collection strategies and technologies (e.g., mobile data collection, mobile lidar, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, nanotechnology, microelectronics, sonar data, remote sensing and imaging, crowdsource data, embedded sensors, ground penetrating radar, and other data collection and processing and integrating technologies);
• Recommendations for data collection, accuracy, reliability, and frequency;  
• A list of use cases based on ways to optimize asset management practices;
• Strategies for data accessibility, governance, and retention;  
• A matrix method that aligns emerging and established technologies and asset classes to support asset data and interoperability;
• Identification of additional opportunities to use collected data beyond asset management applications;
• A decision-making framework to describe the level of complexity and support implementing advanced data collection strategies using emerging and established technologies; and
• Discussion of changing workforce roles, responsibilities, and competencies for the above strategies.  

- Developing an actionable plan for obtaining practitioners’ feedback on the draft guide, particularly related to the matrix methods and the decision-making framework. This could include a workshop (in-person, virtual, or hybrid); and

• Developing a communication plan for outreach (e.g., presentations, graphics, and press releases). 

Task 5. Draft Guide Outline Development

After completing tasks 1-4, the research team shall have the proposed research plan, which will inform the content of the guidebook. The guidebook shall provide:

• An overview of technologies and assets studied. 
• A summary of the current state of practice. 
• A discussion of the approach undertaken to develop the guidebook. 
• A detailed description of the Decision Matrix. 
• A discussion of the identified strategies. 
• An introduction to the developed tool. 
• A series of case studies 
• Proposed recommendations and future visions. 

The team shall also include any additional background information that is available in the draft guide outline (such as glossary, references to existing resources).

Task 6. Interim Report No. 1 Preparation

The research team shall prepare Interim Report No. 1 which will documents Tasks 1 through 5 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research no later than 6 months after the contract award. The updated plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phases II and III.

The research team shall present findings to NCHRP at an in-person interim meeting. NCHRP approval of the interim report and updated Research Plan is required before work on subsequent tasks may begin.

PHASE II—Execution

Task 7. Research Plan Execution

The research team shall execute the research plan according to the approved Interim Report No 1. The research team shall conduct quality assurance of the proposed framework and shall also conduct analysis of their compliance with established standards. This task is performed in four steps:

• Step 1: Data Collection
• Step 2: Data Analysis
• Step 3: Tool Development
• Step 4: Case Studies

Task 8. Guide Development

The research team shall incorporate the knowledge gained from Tasks 1-7 along with panel feedback on Interim Report No. 1 to develop the guidebook. The Technical Advisory Group shall review the chapters and provide feedback on the content.

Task 9. Interim Report No. 2 preparation

The research team shall prepare Interim Report No. 2 which will documents Task 7 and 8 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. The updated work plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase III. The research team shall present findings to NCHRP at an in-person interim meeting. NCHRP approval of the interim report and updated Research Plan is required before work on subsequent tasks may begin.

 PHASE III—Final Products

Task 10.  Guidebook Review

The team shall revise the Guide based on the initial Panel comments discussed in the Interim meeting on the Draft Guide. The team shall also provide a detailed written response to Comments Memorandum that addresses all written comments and the major takeaways and direction from the Panel meeting. The response document shall clearly communicate a description of all changes made to the revised Guide. The final draft of Using Emerging and Established Technologies for Asset Management: A Guide shall be submitted to the NCHRP panel for review and comment no later than 27 months after execution of the contract, which allows 3 months for NCHRP panel review and feedback.

Task 11.  Feedback Collection

The research team shall obtain practitioners’ feedback on the draft guide, particularly related to the matrix methods and the framework, and update the draft guide accordingly. The team shall identify the best venues to collect feedback from practitioners after receiving input and suggestions from NCHRP.  

Task 12. Final Deliverables Submission

The research team shall submit the draft final deliverables including including (1) a final report that documents the entire research effort; (2) the guide; (3) outreach materials: presentations, graphics, and press releases; and (4) a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”. 

STATUS: Research in progress