Paper Title
AUTOMATION OF PAVEMENT MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY PROCESS REVIEW

Abstract
Pavement Materials Testing Laboratories (PMTLs) determine the suitable pavement materials to be applied to sustain the daily traffic load and achievethe desired design standards. In this review, studies were explored across different laboratory sectors to identify appropriate automation technology that is applicable to transforming PMTLs in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to improve the laboratory processes involved in testing road pavement materials. In this review, studies published between 2023 and 2025 identified from the keywords were collected for review. A case study of specific structured questionnaires was directed to laboratory managers and technicians in six PMTLs in PNG to obtain their opinions on the automation of laboratory processes. The data reviewed revealed significant developments in automation through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and laboratory information management systems(LIMS) in other sectors, while PMTLs remain disadvantaged in the manual processes. The results obtained from the case study were analyzed using a quantitative approach. Theresearch gap identified in this study revealed the non-existence of an end-to-end automated system linking requests, samples,personnel, and equipment within a single structured system of a PMT laboratory process. Despite the potential benefits of automation, sustainability remains a challenge, and consistent funding and resource support are required for effective implementation. Keywords - Laboratory Automation, LIMS, PMT, and Laboratory Quality Assurance (LQA)