The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet used Fleetwatcher's E-Ticketing solution on two research projects during the 2018 paving season in an effort to investigate the effectiveness of the electronic ticketing process in combination with both intelligent compaction and infrared temperature monitoring. The two projects were KYTC's initial attempts to begin developing a system wherein the majority of material monitoring is done electronically, allowing a KYTC inspector to focus on a more visual inspection of the material being placed.
Project: FD05 034 0922 005-010
County: Fayette
Description: 3.14 miles of Asphalt Resurfacing
Location: Newtown Pike (KY 922) from MP 5.986 (KY 1973 intersection) extending north to MP 9.127 (Fayette/Scott County line)
Contractor: ATS Construction
Total HMA Material: 3,032 tons
Project: FD05 034 0004 002-005
County: Fayette
Description: 2.34 miles of Asphalt Resurfacing
Location: New Circle Road (KY 4) from MP 2.267 (US 68 overpass) extending north to south end of US 60 overpass (MP 4.607) – both inner and outer loops
Contractor: ATS Construction
Total HMA Material: 7,150 tons
Outcomes Per Josh Withrow, EIT, and Catherine Keathley, EIT, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
The benefits of the E-Ticketing process include allowing the inspector on-site to monitor asphalt deliveries from a safer distance than the current method, which involves either being next to the moving dump truck or asphalt paver. This can place the inspector in a very unsafe position depending upon the project, where traffic may be moving on one side and the paving process (dump truck, paver, and rollers) may be moving on the other. By remotely accessing the information on an electronic device (phone, iPad, etc.), the inspector can acknowledge the truck has arrived on-site, as well as make any additional notations (material temperature, issues with asphalt mixture, station numbers, etc.) The inspector’s personal exposure to potential injury while collecting tickets is minimized, and allows for the inspector to use their experience to observe other aspects of the project and not be strictly focused on bookkeeping.
Along these lines, one of the greatest advantages seen in the E-Ticketing process is the ability for the inspector to be able to communicate with the contractor foreman about tonnage and location of trucks. This creates an open line of communication throughout the project and may also help the contractor have a better idea where trucks are, whether they are still at the plant, on the road, or somewhere in between. This communication may also lessen the traditional adversarial relationship that is often the case between state DOTs and contractors.
While E-Ticketing is still a fairly new process in Kentucky, the early advantages seen indicate that it can bring widespread benefits to KYTC. From a safety standpoint, it reduces the potential for accidents where the inspector is trapped between traffic and construction. From a relationship standpoint, it allows the inspection personnel and contractor representatives to be on the same page regarding material quantities and location in relation to the project. From a job responsibility standpoint, the inspector is able to focus on potential project issues, rather than bookkeeping. From an environmental standpoint, a considerable amount of paper is eliminated, and E-Ticketing allows information to be digitally stored instead of taking up space in office filing cabinets and boxes that must be stored for several years after project completion.
