Value of Tablet Computers in Transportation Construction Inspection

Abstract

The use of tablet computers (TCs) in construction provides more accurate, reliable, and timely project information to field inspectors and enables them to gather and transmit up-to-date project information remotely from the field. This study investigates the value of inspectors' use of TCs on transportation construction projects conducted in Pennsylvania. This study's objective was to monitor the performance changes of inspectors once they started using TCs in their daily activities. The inspectors' typical jobsite functions were separated into five typical daily tasks and activities: general inspection, system inspection, paperwork, document research and meetings, and other tasks. Performance was monitored by the time required to perform each task and activity before and after the introduction of the TC. Results indicated that using TCs reduced the amount of time the inspector typically needed for the document research task, which included looking up information to reply to the contractor's queries and determining adherence to specifications. This same time was transferred onto the general inspection task, which consisted of observing ongoing construction activities. Although this time saving does not affect progress of the overall project, it allows inspectors to remain on the jobsite where they can perform their primary duties. Some weather-related technical limitations of the device were found to affect productivity. Precautions need to be taken to keep the device in an environment with temperatures that are within its operating temperature range.