Pioneers of Progress: DelDOT’s Groundbreaking Approach to Connected Work Zones

by Joel VanDusen, HaulHub Inc., director of government solutions

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), along with peer agencies in Louisiana, Iowa, and Nebraska, are leading a digital revolution in highway construction, transforming the industry with a visionary approach to work zone safety. It’s called the “Accelerating Digital Inspection Practices with Connected Machinery” project, and it’s paving the way for safer, more efficient, and data-driven project management.

At the heart of this transformation lies the concept of connected work zones, where machinery, materials, and personnel are linked through advanced digital technologies. By leveraging the capabilities of modern pavers and milling machines, DelDOT aims to enhance safety procedures, optimize operations, and provide real-time information to all stakeholders, including the traveling public.

Traditional construction project management relies on paper-based processes and manual reporting, often resulting in delays, inefficiencies, and potential safety risks. Recognizing the need for a paradigm shift, DelDOT set off to harness the power of digital technologies to create a more dynamic, interconnected system that thrives on real-time data and seamless communication across the planning, design, construction, and asset management phases of a project.

Collaboration is Key
The success of this initiative hinges on collaboration, and DelDOT has found a vital partner in Greggo & Ferrara Inc., a forward-thinking construction company that has embraced the challenge of digital innovation. By opening access to their diverse fleet of digitally connected machinery and sharing their invaluable field expertise, Greggo & Ferrara has accelerated the project’s timeline, enabling real-world testing and system enhancements well ahead of schedule.

The demonstration phase, conducted in November 2023, showcased the power of connected work zones. Geolocated machine activity, material deliveries, and potential safety hazards were monitored in real-time, with data instantly shared with navigation apps like Waze and the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) to automatically alert drivers of active work zones and reroute traffic as needed.

Additionally, DOT inspectors and contractors were provided with real-time digital insights of the flow of equipment and materials across the project. Aerial drone footage (see photo above) captured the synchronization of pavers, rollers, and inbound material loads as the data was flowing to project stakeholders, illustrating the system’s ability to provide a comprehensive, holistic data-driven perspective of the jobsite and start the process to create on demand digital as-builts used by both the DOT and contractor.

Empowering Better Decision Making
This real-time data integration also marks a significant shift in workforce development within the construction industry. By equipping workers with advanced tools and a comprehensive, data-driven perspective, DelDOT is creating a more modernized, sophisticated jobsite that resonates with a digitally native workforce. The immediate availability of synchronized data empowers teams to make timely, informed decisions that bolster both efficiency and safety.

This demonstration has not only validated the effectiveness of connected work zones but has also provided valuable learnings for ongoing system enhancements. DelDOT is continuously refining the technology to optimize work zone creation for its field crews and traffic management center, integrate activity-based notifications with manual road closure feeds, and support both types of feeds simultaneously.

The meticulous analysis of data from connected machinery, safety feeds, e-Ticketing, and other sources is driving prioritization in areas such as worker presence coverage, machine status collection intervals, automation of machine-to-project connectivity, as-built and digital inspection opportunities, and user experience enhancements.

To help provide a robust framework for scaling this innovation across the construction sector, Iowa State University and WSP are working with the project team to perform data analysis and align with larger digital construction efforts across the nation.

A New Era
DelDOT’s pioneering initiative is not just about technology; it is about creating a safer, more efficient, and more responsive construction industry. It is about harnessing the power of digital innovation to drive positive change and set new standards for excellence. The adoption and adaptation of connected work zones by partner agencies signify the beginning of a new era in construction project management—one that prioritizes integration, data-driven decision-making, and safety.

DelDOT is not only reaping the benefits within its own operations but also sharing insights and learnings with its partners, contributing to the collective advancement of the industry.

As we move forward, the collaborative efforts of DelDOT, Louisiana DOTD, Iowa DOT, Nebraska DOT and their numerous private sector contractor partners and state contractor associations, will be instrumental in driving the adoption and refinement of these groundbreaking technologies. The lessons learned from each project and the insights gained through continuous data analysis will pave the way for even more sophisticated and efficient connected work zones in the future.

Learn more about this project and the innovators making this a reality at: tinyurl.com/deldotdigitaldelivery.