High-value support during every phase of construction

Strategic Enhancements Update

March 03, 2025

AASHTOWare Project is a vital tool in managing and delivering complex transportation infrastructure projects. Here’s an update on some of our key strategic initiatives and a look at where we’re headed.

Modernizing the Foundation: The .NET Upgrade

The .NET framework serves as the underlying engine for AASHTOWare Project. We are undertaking a phased upgrade to the latest version of .NET. This process involves:

  • Phase 1: Ensuring system stability and compatibility
  • Phase 2: Migrating AASHTOWare Project to the new .NET environment.
  • Phase 3: Leveraging new .NET capabilities to enhance functionality

This year, we’re investing in Phase 2, which is critical for several reasons:

  • Improved performance: Microsoft .NET is a high-performance framework that has significant performance optimizations over .NET Framework.
  • Enhanced security: Microsoft .NET Framework is no longer actively developed beyond maintenance. Microsoft .NET includes a number of security features that can help protect AASHTOWare Project from attacks.
  • Expanded functionality: Microsoft .NET provides access to a wide range of new features and libraries that can be used to enhance the functionality of AASHTOWare Project.
  • Simplified development and maintenance: Microsoft .NET is a more modern and streamlined framework that can make maintenance and development of AASHTOWare Project more efficient.

Streamlining User Input: The Refined PUG Ballot

The Project User Group (PUG) ballot is essential for prioritizing enhancements to AASHTOWare Project. The current annual process allows for a limited two-week window for voting, making it representative of just a moment in time, and not as responsive to changing agency priorities throughout the year. To address those concerns, the PUG Board proposed a revised ballot process with the following changes:

  • Dynamic Voting: Balloting will be a dynamic process that allows agencies to rank TMRs on aashtowareproject.org throughout the year.
  • Ballot Dashboards: Rankings will be visible to other agencies, and PTF members will see an aggregate dashboard to help prioritize which TMRs to develop.

We are refining this process to be more agile and responsive. We encourage your active participation in the updated PUG ballot to ensure your priorities are reflected in future releases.

Looking Ahead: SCOA Strategic Plan (2025-2029)

The Special Committee on AASHTOWare (SCOA) provides strategic direction for the product. A new strategic plan for 2025-2029 is in development. This plan will focus on:

  • Innovation: Exploring and implementing new technologies.
  • User Experience: Simplifying workflows and enhancing usability.
  • Operational Efficiency: Streamlining processes and improving system performance.
  • Industry Engagement: Strengthening collaboration and communication with users.

As the AASHTOWare Project Task Force (PTF) works toward defining this new five-year strategic plan, we’ll be considering many factors, including feedback provided by the User Community at conferences and during various meetings, industry standards and trends, and contractor recommendations. We will share more detailed information about the strategic plan in future communications.

We are committed to continuously improving AASHTOWare Project and value your feedback. For questions, please visit aashtowareproject.org or contact the PTF.