With the infusion of emerging technologies into highway construction practices, state departments of transportation (DOTs) can make better informed decisions that positively influence cost, schedule, quality, and safety. DOTs are increasingly using instrumentation and sensor technologies for delivering highway projects across the U.S.A. Instrumentation devices and sensors include such technologies as remote sensing, real-time kinematics, global positioning systems, digital handheld devices, ground penetrating radar, and intelligent compaction/thermal profiling. These technologies are becoming commonplace in highway construction because of their capabilities to improve the construction process by making activities more efficient and more productive. However, the practices in using instrumentation and sensor technologies for highway construction vary among state DOTs. Therefore, this study investigates how DOTs employ the use of instrumentation and sensor technologies for highway construction. This study engaged a research methodology that included an extensive literature review, survey questionnaire, and case studies of state DOTs. Results show that 31 state DOTs use instrumentation and sensor technologies for monitoring work progress, conducting quality control and quality assurance, performing construction inspections, identifying optimal conditions and recording the placement of work, and locating utilities. The main barriers to using instrumentation and sensor technologies include analyzing the large amount of data, verifying the accuracy of the data, ensuring staff have the skills and knowledge to use the technologies efficiently, and assisting smaller contractors to gain the knowledge to use these technologies. The findings from this study provide recommendations and strategies for DOTs to implement instrumentation and sensor technologies effectively for highway construction.

通过将新兴技术注入高速公路建设实践中，州交通运输部（DOT）可以做出更明智的决策，从而对成本，进度，质量和安全性产生积极影响。DOT越来越多地使用仪表和传感器技术来在美国各地进行高速公路项目。仪表设备和传感器包括诸如遥感，实时运动学，全球定位系统，数字手持设备，探地雷达和智能压实/热剖面图等技术。这些技术由于能够通过提高活动效率和生产率来改善施工过程而变得越来越普遍。然而，在州DOT中，使用仪器和传感器技术进行高速公路建设的实践有所不同。因此，本研究调查了DOT如何在公路建设中使用仪器和传感器技术。这项研究采用了一种研究方法，包括广泛的文献综述，调查问卷和国家DOT的案例研究。结果表明，有31个州的DOT使用仪器和传感器技术来监视工作进度，进行质量控制和质量保证，执行施工检查，确定最佳条件并记录工作位置以及查找公用设施。使用仪器和传感器技术的主要障碍包括分析大量数据，验证数据的准确性，确保员工具备有效使用技术的技能和知识，并协助较小的承包商获得使用这些技术的知识。这项研究的结果为DOT为公路建设有效实施仪器和传感器技术提供了建议和策略。