Introduction

The Department of Transportation just completed a pilot test with the transportation technology start-up company Drive Smart, to install "Smart Highway" sensors that can analyze traffic flow, identify road hazards, and send visual communication signals to drivers. The state is interested in rolling out this technology more broadly, but leadership is unsure how to fully implement this new technology in their existing ecosystem.

Business situation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is hoping to lead the nation in efforts to digitize our nation's transportation systems. Drive Smart is a start-up that specializes in the setup of traffic sensors on existing roadways transforming highways into "Smart Highways." These smart highways are equipped with sensors that can analyze traffic flow, identify road hazards, and send visual communication signals to drivers. The Department of Transportation has just completed a small proof of concept pilot program of this new technology and was very pleased with the initial results.

Following the Drive Smart pilot program DOT has made the decision to pursue a project deploying this technology at a larger scale. DOT is in the process of determining how this technology can be scaled up and integrated with its existing roadway systems. There is concern among stakeholders regarding the cost of investment and future scalability. After initial discussions with Drive Smart, DOT has engaged Deloitte as a third-party technology contractor to ensure that the project is scoped correctly, executed on schedule, can be integrated with existing infrastructure and has future scalability.

Problem statement

Drive Smart will oversee the installation of the physical technology, while Deloitte will manage the implementation and integration of the technology to DOT's information technology infrastructure.

In initial conversations, DOT has mentioned a few risks with the project and is hoping Deloitte can help manage these risks. Integration of this new technology with the current technology infrastructure is crucial. It is also important to the client to eliminate or minimize any down time that would be caused by the installation and implementation of this new technology to mitigate any impact to revenue and day to day operations.

• The project must be completed within 8 months, or in segments as construction on the roadways is exponentially more expensive and difficult in the winter months.
• DOT has a very robust IT and technology infrastructure team and has completed several small technology projects in recent years. While they have been successful in the past, their internal teams have not done anything to this scale or complexity.
• DOT has also struggled in the past to keep on-time delivery for large scale projects, which sometimes results in project bandonment.
• Drive Smart has rolled out pilots for individual highways previously but has also never completed a project of this scale.

Deloitte has been asked to recommend an implementation strategy that will mitigate risk and maximize the impact of the technology investment for DOT, while allowing for future scalability.