State departments of transportation (DOTs) are increasingly adopting digital technologies throughout project lifecycles, with many moving away from 2D printed plans in favor of fully digital deliverables. While several states have made significant progress in generating structured digital subsurface data, fewer have developed methods—such as application programming interfaces (APIs)—for integrating this data efficiently into digital workflows. Geotechnical model development remains challenging, particularly in relation to data quality, reliability, provenance, and governance.

The objective of this synthesis project is to document state DOT practices and policies on the deployment of digital geotechnical and geologic data in the DOTs’ digital workspace.   

Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): 

•       Current practices for integrating structured geotechnical and geologic data, including subsurface data models, into digital project delivery workflows;
•            Procedures for incorporating subsurface data into the digital workspace for design, bidding, construction, and post-construction documentation (as builts);
•            Types of digital geotechnical deliverables provided at each project stage, including the extent of explanation or interpretation included;
•            Contractual status of geotechnical deliverables (e.g., contractual, reference, information-only);
•            Methods for managing version control, traceability, and data transaction records within digital workflows;
•            Use of industry standards for data exchange (e.g., AASHTO, DIGGS-XML, OGG); and
•            Content and structure of geotechnical models—whether they include discrete elements (e.g., borings, geophysical data) or volumetric representations of stratigraphy and material properties in 3D.

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.