Three Exciting Research Projects Underway!

June 10, 2026

The AASHTOWare Project Task Force (PTF) is committed to continually improving the stability and long-term viability of the AASHTOWare Project platform. To ensure we are proactively investing in strategic modernization and delivering maximum value to all licensees, the PTF has prioritized three research projects for immediate exploration.

These projects are research-focused initiatives designed to determine the feasibility of strategic enhancements to the AASHTOWare Project system. Although specific outcomes cannot be guaranteed, these projects represent our proactive investment in future-proofing your critical infrastructure.

1. AI-Powered Pre-Release Testing: Minimizing Post-Release Surprises

This project addresses the critical issue of ensuring consistent software quality across the multitude of unique agency configurations. Traditional testing struggles to manage this variability. This research aims to explore implementing AI-based testing to automate the validation of diverse configurations, quickly identify potential issues, and adapt to user-specific setups. By leveraging machine learning, the AI system can detect patterns and predict areas of risk, potentially accelerating defect detection and reducing the manual testing effort required for consistent quality. For system administrators, the goal is a more stable, less variable product experience that reduces troubleshooting and long-term maintenance costs.

2.Mobile-Responsive UI Research & Prototyping

The current AASHTOWare Project user interface was designed for desktop use, creating a significant access barrier for field personnel (inspectors, testers, managers) using mobile devices. This often leads to reliance on paper, resulting in data delays and errors. This project will conduct foundational research, design, and user validation on high-impact field workflows, such as daily work reporting and materials data recording. The research and validated prototype will help the PTF determine the technical soundness of a future mobile solution and ensure it is precisely aligned with user needs. This focused approach mitigates the risks of a significant modernization initiative, leading to greater data accuracy and quicker, more informed decisions for contract administrators.

3.Data Analytics for Materials: Feasibility Study for Standardized Test Result Analysis

Data management is key to efficient highway transportation operations. This study improves materials management by evaluating standardized methods for analyzing test results. If determined feasible, the resulting data analytics capabilities will move AASHTOWare Project from a system of record to a system of intelligence. For your team, this means reducing manual data handling, improving the ability to capture and manage data, and providing the framework for advanced material analytics.

These three research initiatives reinforce the PTF’s commitment to strategic innovation, aiming to deliver a more modern, efficient, and resilient AASHTOWare Project for all our licensees.