Ditch the Paper Trail: The Top-Rated Tech Every Road Crew Needs in 2025

Whether you’re managing a $10M bridge replacement or resurfacing a rural county road, the tech you bring to the jobsite can make or break timelines, documentation, and compliance. Today’s top tools aren’t just about going digital—they’re about saving time, improving communication, and delivering ironclad proof of work.

Here’s a look at the best tech being used on heavy highway projects in 2025—and why your crew might want it in the toolbox.

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FleetWatcher – E-Ticketing and Equipment Logistics for Paving Crews

Best for: Paving contractors, trucking coordinators, and project managers tracking material deliveries and haul cycles.

Eliminate Paper Tickets

FleetWatcher replaces paper-based ticketing with digital e-tickets—ensuring material deliveries are tracked in real time and compliant with DOT standards.

Improve Trucking Efficiency

Track truck locations, idle time, and cycle time to optimize hauling logistics. Know where every truck is and how efficiently it’s operating.

Tie Delivery to Stationing and Production

FleetWatcher can integrate with tools like OnStation to connect each delivery to a precise station and timestamp—essential for materials traceability and documentation.

Core Features That Improve Paving Ops

• E-ticketing for asphalt and material loads

• Real-time truck tracking and cycle analysis

• Reduces paper, fraud, and miscommunication

• Helps meet digital ticketing mandates

• Integrates with project and mapping tools

💰 Pricing Insight: Pricing is based on the number of trucks, e-ticketing volume, and tracking features used. Most paving contractors work directly with FleetWatcher for a custom quote based on their operational scale and DOT requirements.

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HCSS HeavyJob – Field Logging Built for Civil Crews

Best for: Foremen, Estimators, and Project Engineers who need to track labor, equipment, and production daily.

Turn Field Notes Into Actionable Data

HeavyJob helps field crews quickly record what happened each day—labor hours, equipment usage, materials placed, and more. No more messy paper logs or delayed input. This info flows directly into cost tracking and production reports, keeping budgets in check.

Designed for Field Crews, Not Just Accountants

Crews can enter data on tablets or phones right in the field. It’s fast, straightforward, and designed for people who don’t sit behind a desk all day.

Production Tracking That Pays Off

By recording work daily and aligning it to cost codes, HeavyJob lets teams spot issues early—before they impact profit margins or timelines. It also speeds up project closeout and billing by giving accurate daily logs tied to pay items.

Core Features That Support the Field

• Daily diaries with labor, equipment, and material logs

• Real-time production tracking

• Cost code-based reports for estimators and PMs

• Offline mode for remote jobsites

• Integration with accounting and ERP systems

💰 Pricing Insight: HeavyJob offers per-user pricing with different tiers based on whether you're using it in the field, office, or for estimating. Smaller crews can get started affordably, with enterprise options available for larger teams.

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OnStation – Digital Stationing & Jobsite Intelligence with a Boots-on-the-Ground Backbone

Perfect for: Contractors, CEIs, and DOT teams who need to know exactly where work is happening—and prove it.

The Real Jobsite Problem: Location Uncertainty

OnStation was built with a boots-on-the-ground mentality. It didn’t start in a boardroom—it started in the field, where the biggest (and most overlooked) problem in heavy highway work lives: location. When crews don’t know exactly where something is happening, documentation gets sloppy, communication breaks down, and rework becomes costly. OnStation eliminates the guesswork with real-time digital stationing and map-based documentation that everyone—from foremen to DOT reps—can rely on.

Why Accurate Stationing Saves Time and Money

Knowing the exact location of tasks, materials, or issues enables:

• Faster issue resolution

• Better field collaboration

• Quicker, cleaner documentation for Change Orders and Project Wrap-Up

Teams reduce costly mistakes and accelerate payment by having proof tied directly to station and time.

Built to Be Used (Not Avoided)

Put a complex tool in your team’s hands and they’ll avoid it. OnStation is widely recognized as one of the easiest tools to adopt in the civil construction space. Crews usually pick it up fast—and they don’t want to give it up. It’s not uncommon for users to push for it on future projects or recommend it to peers and partners.

Boosting Safety with Real-Time Visibility

With industry fatality rates rising, safety is front and center. OnStation’s Active Worksite™ feature shows live worker locations to reduce risk around traffic and equipment. It also cuts down unnecessary time on-site—by simplifying documentation, crews can avoid extra trips back to the trailer or office. That time savings can literally mean getting home safely.

Key features:

• Real-time digital stationing tied to CAD plan sheets

• Field-ready tools for notes, photos, and overlays

• Seamless integrations with Bad Elf, HCSS, FleetWatcher, TransTech, and more

• Active Worksite™ for safety through visibility

• Speeds up documentation for Change Orders and Closeout

💰 Pricing Insight: OnStation offers flexible license types based on job roles—starting with view-only access (Locate) up to full documentation and data licenses. Most teams mix license types based on their needs, and pricing scales per user and per project. Check out the full license guide here » How Heavy Highway Teams Use OnStation Licenses: A Practical Guide to Getting Set Up

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PlanGrid (Autodesk Build) – Blueprint Version Control for the Field

Best for: Inspectors, Engineers, and Supers who need to work off the latest drawings and document field changes.

Always Work from the Latest Set

PlanGrid eliminates confusion about which plan version is correct. As drawings are updated, field teams see changes in real time—no need to shuffle through paper sets or outdated PDFs.

Field Markups, RFIs, and Photos in One Place

Crews can add markups, notes, and reference photos directly to plan sheets. If there’s a clash or issue, it’s easy to create and track RFIs from the field.

Document Control That Supports Closeout

All markups and punch items stay organized and tied to drawings, helping teams create clean, accurate records for project wrap-up.

Core Features That Keep Plans in Sync

• Version-controlled digital drawings

• Punch list and RFI workflows

• Photo documentation linked to plan locations

• Cloud access from any device

• Smooth transition from construction to closeout

💰 Pricing Insight: Autodesk Build bundles PlanGrid capabilities into a subscription-based model. Pricing typically depends on the number of sheets, users, and modules selected. Expect monthly or annual plans, starting from small project tiers.

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Procore – All-in-One Project Management for Complex Infrastructure Builds

Best for: Project Managers, Superintendents, and Owners managing large-scale road and bridge projects with multiple stakeholders and moving parts.

Centralizing the Chaos of Construction Projects

Heavy highway jobs come with thousands of details—drawings, RFIs, submittals, schedules, crews, and contractors. Procore brings all of that into one connected platform. With everything stored in the cloud, teams can access what they need, when they need it—on or off the jobsite.

Manage Docs, Drawings, and Decisions in One Place

Procore is designed to be the single source of truth for infrastructure projects. Instead of bouncing between apps, emails, or paper, your team can:

• Review and markup the latest plan sets

• Submit and track RFIs, change orders, and daily logs

• Get approvals and inspections moving faster

• Maintain accurate records for handoff and audits

Designed for the Field and the Office

Whether you're walking the site or reviewing reports at HQ, Procore’s mobile-first approach makes it easy to stay in sync. Field teams can upload progress photos or submit observations on the fly, while office staff get real-time updates without waiting for end-of-day reports.

Scalable for Agencies, Contractors, and Subcontractors

Procore isn’t just for GCs—it’s flexible enough for DOTs, owners, CEIs, and specialty contractors. Whether you’re managing one project or ten, it provides the control and visibility you need to keep things on schedule and in compliance.

Core Features That Keep Projects Moving

• Centralized drawing management and markups

• RFI, submittal, and change order tracking

• Daily logs, inspections, and safety observations

• Built-in workflows for approvals and compliance

• Integrations with scheduling, estimating, and accounting systems

💰 Pricing Insight: Procore’s pricing is typically project-based or enterprise-tiered and varies by number of projects and modules used. It’s designed for mid to large contractors, with custom quotes available depending on your team size and tech stack.

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Prolog by Trimble – Infrastructure-Grade Project Controls for Public Works

Best for: DOTs, Agencies, and Prime Contractors managing complex, compliance-heavy infrastructure projects.

Built for the Demands of Heavy Civil

Prolog is one of the few project management systems designed specifically for large-scale public infrastructure jobs. Used by agencies and owner-side teams, it focuses on the details that matter for civil workflows—contract tracking, pay items, and audit-ready documentation. If you're in the world of federally funded or DOT-managed projects, Prolog speaks your language.

Control Every Document and Every Dollar

From field reports to submittals, Prolog creates a central repository for all project documents—keeping everything organized and accessible. It’s especially valuable for:

• Tracking contract compliance and pay item progress

• Managing field observations, change orders, and meeting minutes

• Generating accurate reports for stakeholders and oversight agencies

Transparency That Supports Accountability

Infrastructure jobs are high-stakes—delays and disputes can be costly. Prolog helps prevent both by maintaining a clear chain of communication and documentation. Field teams, owner reps, and PMs can all access consistent data, minimizing finger-pointing and rework.

Trusted by Agencies and Large Project Teams

Prolog has been a trusted system for years on major transportation and public infrastructure projects. It’s known for its durability, audit support, and ability to scale for long-term, multi-phase work.

Core Features That Support Public Projects

• Document control tailored to civil project workflows

• Contract and pay item tracking

• Submittals, RFIs, and daily reporting

• Built-in accountability for federally funded projects

• Supports DOT standards and owner oversight

💰 Pricing Insight: Prolog is sold as part of Trimble’s construction management suite and is usually priced for enterprise or agency use. It’s ideal for DOTs or GCs working on long-term infrastructure contracts with multiple stakeholders.

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TransTech Systems – Smarter Compaction Testing for Better Asphalt Quality

Best for: QA/QC technicians, paving crews, and project managers focused on asphalt density and quality assurance.

Why Compaction Testing Is a Big Deal

Asphalt compaction is one of the most critical factors in pavement performance—and one of the most time-consuming to document. Each test affects material acceptance, pay factors, and long-term durability. Missing or mis-recorded data can delay closeout or trigger costly disputes.

From Clipboard to Click: Streamlining the Process

Traditionally, techs have to:

• Record each test manually

• Estimate or mark location stationing by hand

• Enter the data later into a separate system

That slows everything down and leaves room for errors. With TransTech’s PQI 380plus gauge and its integration with OnStation, density test results are automatically linked to their exact location on the jobsite, no guesswork needed.

Reduce Rework, Increase Confidence

Whether you’re running 10 or 100 tests a day, tying each compaction reading to a precise station gives your team defensible data. You’ll spend less time tracking down missing info, and more time moving the project forward. For teams closing out jobs or submitting documentation to DOTs, that accuracy makes a major difference.

Saving Time When It Matters Most

By eliminating manual entry and unnecessary backtracking, this integration cuts down testing time, reduces human error, and improves the overall QA/QC workflow. That means more time paving—and less time chasing paperwork.

Core Features That Raise the Bar

• Instant pairing of PQI gauge readings with precise OnStation locations

• Non-nuclear compaction testing—safer and easier for field use

• Streamlined QA/QC reporting for daily logs and final submittals

• Eliminates manual note-taking and transcription errors

• Boosts accuracy and accountability on high-volume paving projects

💰 Pricing Insight: The PQI gauge is a one-time equipment investment from TransTech, while the OnStation integration does not add extra cost for users with a Capture or Data license. This combo streamlines testing without increasing tech spend for QA/QC.

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🚀 Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead or Get Left Behind

The heavy highway and civil engineering industry is evolving fast—and the technology behind it isn’t slowing down. From digital stationing and e-ticketing to drone flights and AI-driven photo logs, today’s tools are changing how teams plan, build, and get paid.

The tech we highlighted here is just the beginning. Solutions like Bluebeam (for markups and PDF plan review), Esri ArcGIS (for GIS asset tracking), Fieldwire, Topcon, and Trimble Siteworks are also making big waves—especially on jobs where surveying, modeling, and collaboration go hand-in-hand.

The key takeaway?
If your team is still relying on paper logs, hand-drawn notes, or siloed spreadsheets, you’re already falling behind. The crews adopting smarter, easier-to-use tools are getting ahead—not just in efficiency, but in accuracy, safety, and speed to closeout.

Whether you’re a contractor looking to tighten documentation, a CEI trying to streamline reporting, or a DOT team prepping for digital transformation—now is the time to build your tech stack intentionally.

Need help figuring out where to start?

• Explore our You Ask, We Answer section for practical tips

• Book a demo to see OnStation or others in action

• Ask your crews what slows them down—you’ll often hear exactly what tech could solve it

The right tools don’t just get the job done—they make sure it gets done right.