Hey-SPTC: A Conversational Chatbot for Oklahoma DOT Specifications and Research Reports

The objective of this research project is to develop a specialized chatbot, named “HeySPTC”, that will facilitate rapid retrieval of information from Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) specifications as well as research and task order reports. This chatbot will be hosted on a publicly accessible server, and will help all stakeholders, including engineers, contractors, planners, as well as the general public. Just like any other DOT, ODOT is currently facing challenges in making important information readily accessible, with research outcomes and departmental specifications often scattered across various documents. This can lead to delays and inefficiencies in decision-making processes. By developing a centralized and easy-to-use chatbot, this project seeks to address these issues by streamlining how information is disseminated and accessed. The chatbot will utilize advanced natural language processing technology to understand and respond to user queries quickly and accurately. The project will involve several key phases, including gathering requirements from ODOT stakeholders, selecting the appropriate technology platform, developing the chatbot, and creating a comprehensive database of ODOT’s resources. The chatbot will be trained to handle a wide range of inquiries, followed by rigorous testing before deployment. Additionally, workshops and instructional materials will be provided to help users become familiar with the new tool. The tasks involved in this study are as follows. Task 1: Requirement Gathering (OSU and OU) - this task will involve meeting with ODOT stakeholders to understand their needs and specifications. Task 2: Design and Planning (OSU and OU) - this task will involve defining the chatbot's scope and features based on the gathered requirements. Task 3: Platform Technology Selection (Lead: OSU) - selecting the right platform and technology is crucial for developing a robust and efficient chatbot for ODOT. Opting for platforms like Dialogflow or Microsoft Bot Framework will ensure advanced natural language processing (NLP) capabilities, enabling the chatbot to understand and respond to diverse user queries accurately. Task 4: Development (Lead: OSU) - the development phase will involve several critical steps to ensure a functional and responsive system. Task 5: Document Gathering and Database Development (Lead: OU) - to ensure the chatbot operates effectively, all specifications, past research, and task order reports will be carefully collected and stored in a central database. Task 6: Model Training, Testing, and Deployment (OSU and OU) - model training, testing, and deployment are pivotal for successful completion of the project. Task 7: Technology Transfer Workshop (OU and OSU) - several technology transfer workshops will be held at the ODOT Training Center as well as at field districts. Task 8: Quarterly Progress Reports and Final Report (OSU and OU) - as required by SPTC, quarterly progress reports will be submitted summarizing activities undertaken during a given quarter. An informative final report will be submitted prepared documenting the findings of this study. The anticipated outcomes of this project include: (1) easier access to ODOT’s specifications and research reports; (2) improved user satisfaction through quicker response times; (3) greater efficiency in handling routine inquiries; and (4) better engagement of the younger generation to facilitate building of a stronger future workforce. The chatbot is also expected to reduce the likelihood of human error and enhance the quality of information provided to users. Over time, the research team hopes to expand the chatbot’s capabilities to include resources from other state DOTs in the region.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $89,145.00
• Contract Numbers:

  CY2-OSU-OU-04

  69A3552348306

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Oklahoma Department of Transportation

  200 NE 21st Street
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States  73105
• Managing Organizations:

  Southern Plains Transportation Center

  University of Oklahoma
  202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
  Norman, OK  United States  73019
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

  School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
  Stillwater, OK  United States  74078

  University of Oklahoma, Norman

  School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
  202 West Boyd Street, Room 334
  Norman, OK  United States  73019
• Principal Investigators:

  Mishra, Deb

  Hobson, Kenneth

  Ashik Ali, Syed

  Zaman, Musharraf

• Start Date: 20241001
• Expected Completion Date: 20250930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial intelligence; Database management systems; Information retrieval; Machine learning; Research reports; Specifications
• Identifier Terms: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Research; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01941693
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: CY2-OSU-OU-04, 69A3552348306
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 1 2025 5:22PM