Recent Posts
FHWA Webinar Series - Massachusetts Department of Transportation Snow & Ice Vehicle Inspection Process
Using GIS Applications
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, February 21st from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Snow& Ice Vehicle Inspection Process using GIS applications.
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State DOT Links
Links to State DOT GIS data portals and GIS applications are now available on our GIS Practices page.
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Using GIS for Crash Location and Analysis at State DOTs
Case Studies of Select Transportation Agencies
State DOTs identified “crash location and analysis to improve road safety” as an area they are interested in learning how GIS is applied. This case study report identifies notable practices from these State DOTs across the country: Alabama DOT, Oregon DOT (ODOT), New York DOT (NYSDOT), North Carolina DOT (NCDOT), and Connecticut DOT (CTDOT).
The case study can be found here.
To view previous reports, visit our report page.
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National Road Network Webinar Summary Report now available.
Justin Clarke and Thomas Roff of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) presented on FHWA efforts to develop a National Road Network Project (NRNP). As defined by Congress, NRNP incorporates requirements and a process framework to improve the quality of the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) road network in three areas: Connectivity of networks at intra- and interstate borders, Spatial representation of multi-carriageway roadways, and Spatial accuracy of networks. The webinar summary can be found here.
To view previous webinar summaries, visit our webinar page.
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GIS and E911/NG911 Peer Exchange: Summary Report now available.
Our latest peer exchange report is now available here!
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geographic Information System (GIS) in Transportation program sponsored a three-day virtual peer exchange in June 2022 to bring together practitioners of GIS applications to discuss and learn about how State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and E911 agencies are building and managing their road networks and how DOT and E911 agencies can collaborate to have one road network for the State.
Previous Peer Exchange reports can be found here.
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Registration is Open for the AASHTO GIS-T Symposium 2023
Registration for the AASHTO 2023 GIS for Transportation Symposium is now open!
Scheduled to be held April 11-14, 2023 in Oklahoma City, OK, the AASHTO GIS for Transportation Symposium brings together professionals in government and private industry who are interested in the use of GIS for transportation purposes. Participants will be able to share their experiences, see state-of-the-art software, and learn more about the GIS-T field through keynote speakers, discussion forums, workshops, curated sessions, informal discussions and networking events.
Register today!
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Upcoming Webinar on The National 911 Program
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, December 14th from 2:30 – 3:30pm ET to discuss NHTSA’s National 911 Program.
Emergency systems are moving towards developing NG911 which involves using voice over IP systems that will use GIS maps to route calls to the correct 911 center. Therefore, GIS mapping is a critical component of NG911, and it is important to have highly accurate GIS data that can be freely shared locally, regionally and nationally. The National 911 Program’s goal is to develop a 911 GIS data sharing strategic plan. Since regulations regarding #911 and emergency management are only at the state and local level, and not the national level, the National E911 Program is not creating regulations. Instead, the Program has three tasks to help attain the goal of developing the strategic plan:
• Convene Stakeholders to learn about their issues, and to make decisions and take action.
• Create and share resource to help 911 programs and educate regarding 911 systems.
• Administer grants for updating state/local 911 systems (with NTIA).
The results of the National 911 Program will be to have a national GIS data sharing strategic plan with tools and resource to help state and local entities achieve their NG911 goals. This webinar will discuss the development and current status of the National 911 Program. NHTSA will also discuss some the challenges faced and lessons learned.
Kate Elkins from NHTSA will present information about the National 911 Program.
Register for the webinar here.
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Reminder GIS-T Symposium 2023 Call for Abstracts is Closing Today!
AASHTO and the GIS for Transportation (GIS-T) Symposium Planning Committee seeks abstracts for presentation at the 2023 AASHTO GIS for Transportation (GIS-T) Symposium!
The 2022 GIS-T Symposium, will be held from April 11-14 in Oklahoma City, OK. GIS-T seeks presentations covering completed and ongoing projects that describe problems, solutions, their importance to the field, and how they impacted practice and capacity. Topics of special interest include:
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Transportation
• GIS in the First Nations
• GIS at Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)
Submit today! The deadline to submit is October 26, 2022.
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New GIS Resources Coming Soon
Stay tuned for new resources from the FHWA GIS in Transportation program. We are excited to share new content with you in the coming weeks, including a summary and recording of the latest peer exchange scheduled for later this month which focuses on how State Departments of Transportation (DOT) can use GIS to support e911, NG911, and other addressing initiatives to support emergency response with partnering agencies. This peer exchange will feature State DOTs from across the country sharing notable practices, lessons learned, and identifying needs.
This new content and more will be available soon. Subscribe to the FHWA GIS newsletter using the link on the right-hand side of the page now to learn when new information will be available.
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Upcoming Webinar on The National Road Network
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, May 24th from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss FHWA’s National Road Network.
The FHWA maintains the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) to collect state level roadway information. HPMS spatial networks (referred to as ARNOLD) are a critical source for several national applications. Although the networks created from HPMS are extensive, state to state connectivity, complete intersection models, and consistent roadway representation between states would increase their application. Recent attempts to use ARNOLD for natural disaster impact assessment have highlighted the need for these enhancements. With dedicated funding from Congress, the FHWA embarked on a project to enhance ARNOLD. The project, called the National Road Network Pilot or NRNP, will produce a national route file with improved spatial network connectivity across jurisdiction lines, refined data to network relationships and improved spatial accuracy. It is anticipated that these enhancements will lead to improved usability of ARNOLD for applications including travel monitoring, safety analysis, freight modeling and emergency response. This webinar will discuss the development and current status of the National Road Network. FHWA will also discuss some the challenges faced and lessons learned.
Justin Clark and Thomas Roff from FHWA will present information about the National Road Network.
Register for the webinar here.
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REMINDER - AASHTO 2022 GIS-T Symposium Registration Still Open
Registration for the AASHTO 2022 GIS for Transportation Symposium is still open!
Scheduled to be held in North Charleston, SC, the AASHTO GIS for Transportation Symposium brings together professionals in government and private industry who are interested in the use of GIS for transportation purposes. Participants will be able to share their experiences, see state-of-the-art software, and learn more about the GIS-T field through keynote speakers, discussion forums, workshops, curated sessions, informal discussions and networking events.
Register today!
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Upcoming Webinar on Using GIS to Conduct Damage Assessments in South Carolina
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, March 16th from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Damage Assessment Tool.
This webinar will discuss the development and implementation of the Damage Assessment Tool. The Damage Assessment tool is a suite of apps that work together to help SCDOT crews enter road closures quickly and correctly. The app consists of a quick capture piece used by field workers to input individual road conditions, a web app for office workers to edit/check/update/export data, and a dashboarding piece for decision makers to see a high-level system wide picture. This webinar will also examine the importance of maintaining accurate road closures, training staff, and maintenance of the Damage Management Tool.
Elizabeth Thebo and Yelena Kalashnikova from the South Carolina DOT will present information about South Carolina DOT’s lessons learned from the development and implementation of the Damage Assessment Tool.
Register for the webinar here.
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AASHTO 2022 GIS-T Symposium Registration Open
Registration for the AASHTO 2022 GIS for Transportation Symposium is now open!
Scheduled to be held in North Charleston, SC, the AASHTO GIS for Transportation Symposium brings together professionals in government and private industry who are interested in the use of GIS for transportation purposes. Participants will be able to share their experiences, see state-of-the-art software, and learn more about the GIS-T field through keynote speakers, discussion forums, workshops, curated sessions, informal discussions and networking events.
Register today!
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Upcoming Webinar on Leveraging GIS to Ensure an Equitable Transportation System
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, December 15th from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss the Greater Nashville Regional Council’s (GNRC) Vulnerable Populations Index and their Transportation and Equity Evaluation Application.
This webinar will discuss the development and implementation of the Vulnerable Populations Index and the Transportation and Equity Evaluation Application. This webinar will also examine how these tools are used to inform individual project evaluations in the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) as well as how GNRC expanded and fine-tuned the index methodology since the RTP’s adoption and how GNRC is continuing equity work through the implementation of the RTP, in their Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Unified Plan Work Program (UPWP) & other programs (Active Transportation Program/ATP, COVID-relief funds/CRSSA, etc.)
Carson Cooper from the GNRC will present information about GNRC’s lessons learned from the development and implementation of the Vulnerable Populations Index and the Transportation and Equity Evaluation Application
Register for the webinar here.
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2022 GIS for Transportation Student Presentation Contest
AASHTO seeks student research to feature at the 2022 AASHTO GIS for Transportation (GIS-T) Symposium!
The 2022 GIS-T Symposium, to be held from April 19-22 in North Charleston, SC, will feature a Student Research Contest. Undergraduate and graduate GIS students with an interest in transportation applications of GIS are encouraged to submit their research in the form of a paper to the GIS-T Symposium's Student Paper review panel.
Contestants' submissions will be judged on their ability to develop and document useful, original research based on GIS-T issues and on their ability to present their results in a complete, clear, and well-referenced paper.
The winner will receive $100, travel expenses, 4 nights' lodging, and complementary registration to the 2022 GIS-T Symposium to present their paper!
Submit today! The deadline to submit is December 22nd, 2021.
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Report and Materials from AMPO Peer Exchange on GIS and Equity Now Available
The FHWA GIS in Transportation Program's most recent peer exchange report provides highlights from the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) peer exchange focused on how metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) can use GIS and other geospatial tools to advance equity goals within their agency. The peer exchange, held on June 22 and 23, 2021, provided an opportunity for MPOs to share experiences, lessons learned, successes, and challenges related to the following topics: how to define equity at an agency and project level, how to use data to inform decision-making, and how to use data and GIS to share information and “tell the story” about equity populations and projects.
This event was hosted by AMPO and sponsored by sponsored by the FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Program.
Available materials include:
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Upcoming Webinar on Public Facing Data Portals
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, September 15 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss how to create, redesign, and effectively use public facing data portals.
This webinar will feature the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and their work with One Map, a web-based GIS mapping application for accessing highway and bridge project data. The One Map application fulfills the needs of the district, county, and central offices for Pennsylvania DOT staff in addition to planning partners and public users, allowing them to electronically assess data, as well as to view, create, and share maps online. PennDOT will share their process for development and implementation of One Map, along with notable practices for maintaining data quality, training staff, maintenance of One Map, and lessons learned.
Register for the webinar here.
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Peer Exchange Materials Available
Materials from the peer exchange hosted on June 22 and June 23 are now available!
This peer exchange, sponsored by the FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Program , focused on opportunities for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to use GIS and other data tools to advance equity goals in their agencies. Hosted by the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO), lessons learned and notable practices from this peer exchange will help agencies invest in equity-focused practices and integrate equity standards into their data collection, analysis, and storytelling efforts.
The agenda, presentations, speaker bios, and project examples are available on the AMPO GIS Working Group website under the Resource & Research tab.
The peer exchange report will be published in the coming weeks.
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New GIS Resources Coming Soon
Stay tuned for new resources from the FHWA GIS in Transportation program. We are excited to share new content with you in the coming weeks, including:
- A summary and recording of the latest peer exchange, sponsored by the FHWA/FTA Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Program focused on how Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can use GIS and other data tools to advance equity goals in their agencies. Hosted by the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO), this peer exchange featured MPOs from across the country sharing notable practices and lessons learned, and identifying needs.
- A case study on Asset and Performance Management, featuring interviews with State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) that discuss notable practices for employing data collection for asset and performance management.
- A case study focused on the use of crowdsourced data collection methods and how transportation agencies use this data to improve transportation safety. This case study features interviews and notable practices from State DOTs and MPOs with experience implementing, deploying, and creating organizational “buy-in” to safety-related GIS tools and other planning products using crowdsourced data.
This new content and more will be available soon. Subscribe to the FHWA GIS newsletter using the link on the right-hand side of the page now to learn when new information will be available.
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Ohio DOT’s TIMS Webinar Recording Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) discussed their efforts to develop their Transportation Information Management System (TIMS).
Stephen Hale, GIS Systems Administrator for ODOT shared how TIMS helps internal and external DOT stakeholders to use the GIS team’s established data standards to publish their own data in SQL, instead of manually updating spreadsheet files. TIMS shifts this burden of light data processing to the users themselves, and allows the GIS staff to focus on managing data from a high level and analyze ODOT’s overarching needs. Hale explained how he and his team use TIMS to facilitate transparency in the data management process, thereby empowering staff to utilize data belonging to other staff members.
The webinar summary is forthcoming. Watch the full recording of the webinar here.
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Upcoming Webinar on Ohio DOT’s TIMS
FHWA will host a webinar on Thursday, June 24 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss how the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) developed their Transportation Information Management System (TIMS).
This webinar will explore how TIMS helps users to use the GIS team’s established data standards to publish their own data in SQL, instead of manually updating spreadsheet files. TIMS shifts this burden of light data processing to the users themselves, and allows the GIS staff to focus on managing data from a high level and analyze ODOT’s overarching needs. TIMS facilitates transparency in the data management process and empowers staff to utilize data belonging to other staff members.
Register for the webinar here.
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POSTPONED May Webinar
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the May webinar featuring Kansas Department of Transportation will be postponed to a future date. A new announcement will be made once the webinar is rescheduled. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Please stay tuned for future announcements.
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POSTPONED Webinar on Managing At-Grade Rail Crossings with GIS
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the May webinar featuring Kansas Department of Transportation will be postponed to a future date. A new announcement will be made once the webinar is rescheduled. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Please stay tuned for future announcements.
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State of Vermont ROW Webinar Recording Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) discussed their efforts to develop a statewide property parcel data layer.
Peer presenters Johnathan Croft, VTrans Mapping Section Chief, and Mary Haley, VTrans Right of Way Section & Survey Unit GIS Professional, described how the project has advanced the mission and goals of the agency. They also explained the specific steps they took to bring the project to fruition: from the initial enabling legislation, collaboration with Agencies and Departments, developing parcel standards, parcel data creation through vendors, issues experienced during the project, the Grand List, how this information is being used at VTrans, and transfer of the project to program at the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI).
The webinar summary is forthcoming. Watch the full recording of the webinar here .
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Peer Exchange Report on Data Dashboards
This newly available peer exchange report provides highlights from our fall peer exchange focused on how agencies can leverage GIS platforms to track performance and deliverables on data quality control, asset management, performance management, and more. The peer exchange emphasized the importance of GIS data dashboards as effective tools for conveying vital information to both internal and external stakeholders.
This event was hosted by FHWA, with participation from Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and West Virginia DOTs.
The Report Summary can be found here.
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Registration Open for GIS-T 2021
Registration for the AASHTO 2021 GIS for Transportation Virtual Symposium is now open!
Originally scheduled to be held in Minneapolis, MN, the AASHTO GIS for Transportation Symposium will now be held virtually April 19-22, 2021 on the Hubilo platform.
Register today!
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Upcoming Webinar on Leveraging GIS for ROW
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, February 17 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss the State of Vermont's efforts to develop a statewide property parcel data layer. This webinar will discuss the project from the initial enabling legislation, collaboration with Agencies and Departments, developing parcel standards, parcel data creation through vendors, issues experienced during the project, the Grand List, how this information is being used at Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), and transfer of the project to program at the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI).
Speakers include Johnathan Croft, Mapping Section Chief, and Mary Haley, Right of Way Section & Survey Unit GIS Professional.
Register for the webinar here.
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Using GIS for Data Dashboards: Oregon Transportation Safety Data Explorer Webinar Recording and Summary Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here!
In this webinar, representatives from Oregon DOT (ODOT) presented lessons learned from the development and implementation of OTSDE, the Oregon Transportation Safety Data Explorer. OSTDE is a publicly accessible, web-based GIS tool ODOT created for safety and multi modal work at the DOT. It helps users see connections to leverage efforts across multiple DOT programs using ESRI Web AppBuilder functionality. OSTDE's user interface does not require ArcGIS skills to view and filter crash data, crash screening data, and active transportation data, making it a critical and highly accessible tool for the DOT.
Representatives also shared the institutional changes made at ODOT in response to the development of OSTDE. OSTDE helped the team identify and address key challenges like data stewardship, project and tool ownership, and identifying "champions" in the department to help advance key projects.
A summary report of this webinar is available here.
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New Case Study on Data Dashboards
Our latest case study report is now available here! Our latest case study report explores how select State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) use online, geospatially-enabled data dashboards to support data quality control, asset management, performance management, and other agency efforts. This case study features interviews with five agencies (Arkansas, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma and Puerto Rico DOTs) to understand how States collect, analyze, and visualize data related to their dashboard projects. The case study also helps the Federal Highway Administration inform their mission of assisting DOTs with the development of these and other processes.
Previous case study reports are available here.
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Using GIS for Data Dashboards: Arkansas Crash Analytics Tool (ACAT) Webinar Recording and Summary Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from Arkansas DOT (ArDOT) presented lessons learned from the development and implementation of the Arkansas Crash Analytics Tool (ACAT). ACAT helps improve the timeliness, accuracy, availability, and integration of ArDOT data sets to promote roadway safety at the State and local levels.
Representatives also shared their efforts to create and manage internal and external data dashboards to track key performance indicators, inform strategic decisionmaking, and share information with the public: ARDOT uses ACAT for two dashboards, the Fatal & Suspected Serious Injury Crashes Dashboard and the Roadway Departure Crashes Dashboard. A summary report of this webinar is available here.
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GIS-T Goes Virtual
Originally planned to take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the AASHTO GIS for Transportation Symposium will now be held virtually the week of April 19 2021.
Updated information, including program and registration details, will be shared on the GIS-T website: https://gis-t.transportation.org.
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Upcoming Webinar on Leveraging GIS for ROW
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, February 17 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET to discuss the State of Vermont's efforts to develop a statewide property parcel data layer. This webinar will discuss the project from the initial enabling legislation, collaboration with Agencies and Departments, developing parcel standards, parcel data creation through vendors, issues experienced during the project, the Grand List, how this information is being used at Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), and transfer of the project to program at the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (VCGI).
Speakers include Johnathan Croft, Mapping Section Chief, and Mary Haley, Right of Way Section & Survey Unit GIS Professional.
Register for the webinar here.
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Oregon DOT Data Dashboard Webinar Recording Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from Oregon DOT discussed how they developed the Oregon Transportation Safety Data Explorer (OTSDE), an interactive web based GIS tool. OTSDE is designed for all skill levels, and is accessible to both internal and external users. This webinar explores how Oregon DOT uses OTSDE to identify corridors, filter and extract crash data, and inform multi-modal active transportation projects. Speakers also provided information on how OTSDE users can view and filter crash data, screen network data, and access transportation data for crash data analysis, traffic safety investigations, multi-modal analysis, and TSP (Transportation System Plan) reviews.
The webinar summary is forthcoming. Watch the full recording of the webinar here .
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Upcoming Webinar on Using GIS for Data Dashboards with Oregon DOT
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, November 18 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET focused on Oregon DOT's efforts to develop the Oregon Transportation Safety Data Explorer (OTSDE), an interactive web based GIS tool, accessible both internally and externally, designed for users of every skill level. In this webinar, Oregon DOT will share how they use OTSDE to identify corridors, filter and extract crash data, and inform multi-modal active transportation projects. Oregon DOT will also discuss how users can view and filter crash data, screen network data, and access transportation data for crash data analysis, traffic safety investigations, multi-modal analysis, and TSP (Transportation System Plan) reviews.
Register for the webinar here.
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GIS-T Call For Presentations
AASHTO and the GIS for Transportation Symposium Planning Committee is now accepting abstracts for the in-person meeting on April 19-22, 2021. Abstracts are due at 11:59 PM CT on November 13, 2020. Submit today!
There is a possibility that the 2021 Symposium may transition to a virtual meeting, therefore the Committee will evaluate submissions on their adaptability to a virtual or pre-recorded session. GIS-T encourages presentations covering completed or ongoing projects, including lessons learned.
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AASHTO Announces 2021 GIS-T Symposium Dates
AASHTO announced new dates for the in-person GIS-T Symposium: April 19-22, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN. AASHTO plans to host an in-person and virtual conference simultaneously, and will adjust the in-person component based on the most up-to-date health and safety information.
Details will be available on the GIS-T website.
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Using GIS for Data Dashboards Webinar Recording Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from Arkansas DOT discuss how they created, update, and maintain the Arkansas Crash Analytics Tool (ACAT). ACAT organizes crash analytics data, including crash records and other reports, for the purpose of identifying, evaluating and planning the safety enhancement of potential crash sites, hazardous roadway conditions, and railway-highway crossings. This webinar delves into how ACAT is used by Arkansas DOT and its stakeholders, not only as a data tool to support decision-making, but also as a method of engagement with other State and local agencies and the public.
The webinar summary is forthcoming. Watch the full recording of the webinar here.
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New Case Study on Asset Management Field Data Collection Tools
Our latest case study report is now available here! Our latest case study report explores how select State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) use innovative, geospatial data collection tools in support of asset management plans. This case study features interviews with our agencies (District, Indiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin DOTs) to understand how States choose tools and methods to collect asset inventories, as well as to obtain feedback on what the Federal Highway Administration can do to facilitate the development of these processes.
Previous case study reports are available here.
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Announcing Upcoming FHWA Peer Exchange on Data Dashboards
The FHWA GIS in Transportation Program is planning to host a virtual peer exchange in late September on the topic of GIS and data dashboards. We are interested in hearing how you and your peers are using GIS and data dashboards to share information with stakeholders and the general public, and advance the work of your agency. Specifically, we want to provide an opportunity for you to share the challenges and successes you’ve experienced with your peers and to learn from each other.
We are still finalizing details--stayed tuned for more information. In the meantime, if you are interested in attending the peer exchange (and helping us shape it), please contact Mark Sarmiento.
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State of the System Map Webinar Recording and Summary Report Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from Minnesota DOT discuss their efforts to develop the Minnesota DOT’s State of the System Map (MnDOT SOS). The MnDOT SOS is an interactive web map that brings together many different, but complementary, datasets into a single place. Representatives also shared the challenges of bringing a wide range of external and internal datasets together, and balancing the need for providing enough information with the need for flexibility and usability. A summary report of this webinar is available here.
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July GIS Newsletter Now Available
The latest edition of the GIS in Transportation newsletter is now available here.
This edition features an interview with John Farley, GIS Manager, and Marc Clifford, Deputy Chief Information Officer, of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). In collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, John and Marc led a team that created storm portals for three major hurricanes in 2018 and 2019; their interview explores how they built and maintain the portals, and lessons learned for future projects.
July’s newsletter also features an editorial by Robert O. Vos, Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Spatial Sciences and Director of Graduate Studies with the University of Southern California (USC) Spatial Sciences Institute. He teaches technology project management courses for USC’s GIS graduate programs, and his award-winning research focuses on industrial ecology, including projects on regional materials flow analysis, eco-industrial park planning, lifecycle assessment, and sustainability indicators.
To view past editions of our newsletters, visit our newsletter page.
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New GIS Resources Coming Soon
Stay tuned for new resources from the FHWA GIS in Transportation program. We are excited to share new content with you in the coming weeks, including:
- A summary and recording of the FHWA GIS-T webinar, Using GIS to Create a State of the System Map. This webinar features staff from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Minnesota IT Services to discuss their State of the System map (SOS), and how they use their SOS to increase flexibility and usability of different MnDOT datasets.
- A case study on Asset Management Field Data Collection Tools, featuring interviews with State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) that discuss best practices on the use of data collection technologies to collect and manage geospatial asset data.
- A case study focused on best practices and tips for State DOTs using data dashboards. GIS-enabled data dashboards allow transit agencies to better manage large, real-time datasets that can inform decisionmaking. The agencies interviewed for this case study use both internal and external dashboards.
This new content and more will be available soon. Subscribe now to learn when new information will be available.
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Local Agency Data Collection Webinar Recording and Summary Report Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from Massachusetts DOT share steps taken and best practices for using GIS to collect data from local agencies. Representatives also presented on the tools they created to enable municipal authorities to interactively add, update, and review its roadways and their information. A summary report of this webinar is available here.
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MIRE Webinar Recording and Summary Report Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! In this webinar, representatives from Arizona DOT and Arkansas DOT share steps taken and best practices incorporating Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) 2 data element onto their linear referencing system. Representatives also describe current efforts to meet the MIRE Fundamental Data Elements (FDE) requirements for intersections and interchanges. A summary report of this webinar is available here.
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May GIS Newsletter Now Available
The latest edition of the GIS in Transportation newsletter is now available here.
This edition features an article by Mark Sarmiento, a GIS Planning Specialist at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Mark's article focuses on FHWA's work to update and improve the National Highway Planning Network (NHPN), which allows users to analyze and visualize highway transportation issues at the national and regional levels. This updated network benefits from FHWA's recent expanded data requirements for existing programs like the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). These new data requirements mandate that State DOTs provide FHWA with a geospatial layer representing all the public roads within their State, not only those that they own and operate. This information results in a more accurate, precise, and up-to-date NHPN.
To view past editions of our newsletters, visit our newsletter page.
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Peer Exchange Report: Emergency Management
This report provides highlights from a peer exchange held in Columbia, South Carolina on September 11-12, 2019.
This newly available peer exchange report provides highlights from our fall peer exchange focused on how agencies can leverage GIS platforms in an emergency management scenario, such as a natural disaster. The peer exchange emphasized the importance of GIS platforms as effective tools for conveying vital information during an emergency.
This event was hosted by South Carolina DOT, with participation from Iowa, North Carolina and South Carolina DOTs, Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization in Florida, Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG).
The Report Summary can be found here.
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GIS-T Symposium Canceled
After careful consideration and in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding COVID-19, the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 AASHTO GIS for Transportation (GIS-T) Symposium scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 14 in Minneapolis. AASHTO will contact those who registered for the GIS-T Symposium to reimburse the cost of registration. For additional information, please visit the 2020 AASHTO GIS-T Symposium website.
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FHWA Webinar on Using GIS for Local Agency Data Collection
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, March 25 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET focused on Massachusetts DOT (MassDOT) efforts to collect data from local agencies using GIS. In this webinar, MassDOT will share their efforts to improve data collection across multiple programs through implementing a single workflow (Local Aid Grant Workflow). Built on the same platform used to submit federal-aid projects, the Local Aid Grant Workflow allows MassDOT to apply the same location intelligence model to simplify and integrate the many applications.
This webinar will also review the MassDOT Road Inventory Submission Application (RISA). RISA provides a web-based mapping interface for the municipal authorities to interactively add, update, and review its roadways in the Roads and Highways Database in a multi-user collaborative environment.
Register for the webinar here.
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Register for AASHTO Geospatial Webinars
The AASHTO Geospatial Online Transportation User Group hosts regular webinars to share data, discuss opportunities, issues, and needs, and to invite agencies to present their online GIS work. These webinars give stakeholders opportunities to share best practices and discuss challenges related to GIS projects. Recordings of past webinars and links to presentations can be found here.
Sign up today to receive information on upcoming webinars and other updates on GIS-based online collaboration platforms.
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Registration Open for GIS-T Symposium
Registration is now open for the 2020 AASHTO GIS in Transportation (GIS-T) Symposium! GIS-T 2020 brings together professionals in government and private industry who are interested in the use of GIS for transportation purposes. Participants will be able to share their experiences, see state-of-the-art software, and learn more about the GIS-T field through keynote speakers, discussion forums, workshops, curated sessions, informal discussions and networking events. Register now!
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AASHTO Webinar on Using GIS to Advance Digital Delivery
AASHTO will host a webinar on Wednesday, February 5 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET focused on the development of repeatable processes for digital delivery that include GIS, using Utah DOT (UDOT) as an example. In this webinar, UDOT will share how they have updated their design workspace and process to make it easier to use GIS in communication and training, preconstruction, and field work.
Register for the webinar here.
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FHWA Webinar on Modeling MIRE Data With GIS
FHWA will host a webinar on Wednesday, January 29 from 1:00 – 2:00pm ET focused on modeling Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) data using GIS. In this webinar, Arizona DOT and Arkansas DOT will share their efforts in collecting and modeling MIRE FDE data using GIS. Arizona DOT will share their efforts to identify mileage that is part of the Federal Aid System; extract roadway data for that mileage using GIS; and conduct a MIRE gap analysis. Arkansas DOT will share their efforts to develop a MIRE FDE intersection and interchange methodology, as well as their MIRE FDE data collection efforts using LiDAR and images.
Register for the webinar here.
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November Newsletter: Tennessee LiDAR Program Collaboration
State DOT works with other State Offices to fund LiDAR data collection
The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration and the
Tennessee Department of Transportation collaborated on a recent project to fund collection of LiDAR data. The newsletter is authored by TNDOT and Tennessee state employees, whose dual perspectives on the Tennessee LiDAR Program demonstrate the value of
working across boundaries and reducing duplicated efforts. The newsletter can be found here.
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GIS Open Data Case Studies of Select Transportation Agencies
This newly available Case Study report covers Geographic Information System (GIS) open data portals or websites where select public agencies make their data available for download or use. These portals have become key tools in information dissemination. The report identifies themes and best practices as cited by each transportation agency.
The case studies highlight efforts from the following organizations:
New York State Department of Transportation (NYS)
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO)
The report can be found here.
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Peer Exchange Report: GIS and Data Governance
This report provides highlights from a peer exchange held in Olympia, Washington on November 14-15, 2018.
This newly available peer exchange report covers our fall peer exchange that showcased the value of data integration into Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. The peer exchange emphasized the importance of investing in data and understanding the value of data governance for resource efficiency and planning.
This event was hosted by Washington DOT, with participation from Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, and Oregon DOTs, as well as the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).
The Report Summary can be found here.
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Upcoming Slimgim-T Webinar
The first of three upcoming Slimgim-T Capability Maturity Model Webinars will be October 10 at 1pm EST! This hour-long webinar will focus on Organizational Structure and Leadership, with a presentation by Eric Abrams of Iowa Department of Transportation. To participate in this webinar, use the following conference information:
Webroom: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/gistransportation
Conference Call Phone Number: 1-877-336-1274
Access Code: 7838594 #
A webinar recording will be posted here after the event.
The Slimgim-T Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is a great way to understand how your agency is using GIs. There will be two additional webinars in November and December, one on Corporate Culture and Organizational Capacity, and another on Enterprise GIS Sustainability and Foundational Data and Technologies.
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Data Governance: A Federal Perspective - Webinar Summary Now Available!
The summary for the Data Governance webinar is now available! This summary captures the key themes discussed on the webinar, including motivations, benefits and challenges, and lessons learned. The summary report can be found here. All previous webinars can be found here.
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August 2019 Newsletter
Now Available
The latest edition of the newsletter is now available here. This edition features an article by Andrew Breck, an Environmental Protection Specialist at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center. Andrew's article focuses on a prototype geospatial tool developed by Volpe to integrate social equity
considerations into transportation planning and operations. The newsletter also includes an editorial by Alex Karner, PhD, an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas on their research examining questions of justice and fairness in
transportation planning. Joseph Mueller, a Senior Transportation Planner at St. Cloud APO, also wrote an editorial on equity analysis from the MPO perspective.
To view past editions of our newsletters, visit our newsletter page.
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Data Governance: A Federal Perspective - Webinar Summary Coming Soon!
The summary for the Data Governance webinar will be available soon! This summary captures the key themes discussed on the webinar, including motivations, benefits and challenges, and lessons learned. When published, the summary report can be found here.
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Peer Exchange Report: GIS and Data Governance
This report provides highlights from a peer exchange held in Olympia, Washington on November 14-15, 2018.
This newly available peer exchange report covers our fall peer exchange that showcased the value of data integration into Geographic Information System (GIS)
applications. The peer exchange emphasized the importance of investing in data and understanding the value of data governance for resource efficiency and planning.
This event was hosted by Washington DOT, with participation from Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, and Oregon DOTs, as well as the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).
The report is posted here, along with previous peer exchange and case study reports.
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Data Governance: A Federal Perspective - Webinar Recording Now Available
The recording of the latest GIS-T webinar is now available here! This webinar demonstrates how FHWA uses data governance as it is related to GIS applications at the federal and state levels. A summary report of this webinar will be available soon, and will be found using the link above.
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Case Study Report: Mobile Applications for GIS
Now Available
Our latest case study report is now available here! This report explores how State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) currently employ mobile applications for a variety of uses, including asset management, data collection, maintenance, and construction. Five states were interviewed for this effort (Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri) to understand the varied levels of scope and use of these applications, as well as to obtain feedback on what the Federal Highway Administration can do to facilitate the development of these processes.
Previous case study reports are available here.
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New Website - Now Live!
The GIS in Transportation program has launched a new website design! This new layout is designed to make reports, webinars, and newsletters easier to find, while maintaining the ability to search state and local GIS applications.
 | | New GIS-T Website Theme |
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Minnesota DOT: Drone Use in Bridge Inspection
The Evolution of MNDOT's UAS Program
A summary report for the webcast presented by Jennifer Wells and Barritt Lovelace of Minnesota DOT (MNDOT) has been posted to the GIS in Transportation website. Their presentation focused on MNDOT's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program and its use for bridge inspections. MNDOT has conducted three phases of research focused on utilizing drones as a tool for improving the quality of bridge and structure inspections.
The written summary of this presentation can be found with the other webcast summaries.. And to view a recording of the presentation, click here.
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Webcast Summary: Drone Use in Alabama
Presenter: John D’Arville of Alabama DOT
A summary report for the webcast presented by John D'Arville of Alabama DOT (ALDOT) has been posted to the GIS in Transportation website. Mr. D'Arville's presentation focused on ALDOT's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program. The program has required coordination between FAA requirements and Alabama state laws, and the program is continuing to evolve with improved basic operator training and the opening of the UAS Command Center. The written summary of his presentation can be found with the other webcast summaries.. And to view a recording of the presentation, click here.
 | | 3D Reality Mesh Progression |
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Peer Exchange Report: GIS in Maintenance
This report provides highlights from a peer exchange held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on April 10-11, 2018.
The latest peer exchange report is now available here! This report covers our spring peer exchange that showcased the Geographic Information System (GIS)
applications being used for maintenance purposes across the U.S., and discusses challenges, needs, and
issues that agencies face in implementing maintenance activities. This event was hosted by Pennsylvania DOT, with participation from the Maryland State Highway Administration and North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia DOTs.
Previous peer exchange and case study reports are available here.
 | | Maintenance-IQ System, PennDOT |
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Geospatial Data Act Awaits Signature
The Geospatial Data Act has been cleared by the Senate and awaits signature from the President. This Act, which is part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill, provides direction for Federal Geographic Data Committee, as well as the National Geospatial Advisory Committee. The Bill defines geospatial data and provides support for the Geospatial Platform and the U.S. National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
 | | Taken from U.S. NSDI |
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Case Study Report: Data Governance and Data Management
Now Available
Our latest case study report is now available here! This report explores how State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) currently define and apply the concepts of data governance and data management. Four State DOTs were interviewed for this effort (Arizona, Arkansas, Ohio, and Texas) to ascertain the current and planned levels of implementation, and to obtain feedback on what the Federal Highway Administration can do to facilitate the development of these processes.
Previous case study reports are available here.
 | | Case Study Report |
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August 2018 Newsletter
Now Available
The latest edition of the newsletter is now available here. This edition features an article by Lily Bui, PhD candidate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ms. Bui's article focuses on the crowd-sourcing mapping effort in the wake of Hurricane Maria that hit Puerto Rico and how a team leveraged GIS and OpenStreetmap to help first responders. It also includes an editorial by Paul Giroux, a GIS Professional. The editorial features the use of Capability Maturity Models to help your organization employ GIS as efficiently as possible.
To view past editions of our newsletters, visit our newsletter page.
 | | UI for MIT's Mapathon Project |
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Webcast Summary: Slimgim Maturity Model & Slimgim-T Development
Presenter: Eric Abrams of Iowa DOT
A summary report for the webcast presented by Eric Abrams of Iowa DOT has been posted to the GIS in Transportation website. Mr. Abrams's presentation focused on Maturity Models for Transportation Agencies' use of GIS. Maturity models provide a framework for creating a shared vision and common language for an organization’s goals, and can be used for benchmarking the progress towards those goals. The written summary of his presentation can be found with the other webcast summaries.. And to view a recording of the presentation, click here.
 | | Eric Abrams Presentation |
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Webcast Summary: MBTA LandTracker Application
Presenter: Rachel Goldsmith of Greystone
A summary report for the webinar presented by Rachel Goldsmith of Greystone has been posted to the GIS in Transportation website. Ms. Goldsmith gave a live demonstration of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's (MBTA) Real Estate Land Tracker application. The application provides an inventory of all relevant information and documents for any particular land parcel owned by Mass DOT and/or the MBTA. The written summary of her presentation can be found with the other webinar summaries.. And to view a recording of the presentation, click here.
 | | MBTA Land Tracker Application |
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July 2018 Newsletter
Now Available
The latest edition of the newsletter is now available here. This edition features an article by James Graham, GIS and Applications Manager at District Department of Transportation (DDOT), illustrates how DDOT is leveraging LRS and MIRE data. It also includes an editorial by Anders Kosnett, Operations Research Analyst at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, which explains how the Fish and Wildlife Service collaborate on inputting data via a web app and ground-truth that data with field observations.
To view past editions of our newsletters, visit our newsletter page.
 | | Image from DDOT's article |
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Webinar Summary, Data Integration through Data Governance
Presenter: Ian Kidner of Ohio DOT
A summary report for the webinar presented by Ohio DOT’s Ian Kidner has been posted to the GIS in Transportation website. Mr. Kidner’s presentation, “Data Integration through Data Governance,” focuses on the challenge of inconsistent data standardization at State DOTs, and details how the Ohio DOT took steps toward improving their data storage, and usage via data governance policies. The presentation also recounts how the Ohio DOT created an organizational structure to implement data governance policies, and the use of a Data Governance Maturity Model assessment to inform their efforts.
Click here to view this webinar summary and follow this link to view others like it.
 | | ODOT Word Cloud |
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Fall 2017 Newsletter
Now Available
The latest edition of the quarterly newsletter is now available. Click here to read it. It features an article by Kimberly Zerr, South Dakota DOT GIS Coordinator. The article explains South Dakota DOT's top three reasons for upgrading to Microsoft SQL 2014.
This newsletter also features an editorial by the mayor of Buckeye, AZ and Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments, Jackie Meck. The editorial explains the ways in which Mayor Meck was able to leverage a research grant to better serve the Intermountain West region.
To view past editions of our newsletters visit our newsletter page.
 | | SDDOT Autocomplete |
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Webinar: WSDOT Vertical Clearance Data Project
Presenters: Alan Smith, Eric Jackson, and Rich Harper of WSDOT
A summary of a recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The 34th webcast in a quarterly series of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) webcasts was presented by Alan Smith, GIS & Roadway Data Branch Manager; Eric Jackson, Systems Development Manager; and Rich Harper, Senior GIS Application Developer at Washington State DOT. This presentation features the geospatial application that WSDOT developed to address overhead clearance operations in response to a vehicle striking an overhead bridge support.
To read this webinar summary and browse other summaries like this one, please visit this page.
 | | WSDOT Bridge Inventory: ArcMap |
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GIS CMM Case Study of Select Transportation Agencies
New Report Now Available
A recently published report illustrating the experience of State DOTs who completed a Capability Maturity Model focusing on GIS is now available. Following the 2016 peer exchange, a group of participating State DOTs agreed to test URISA's GIS CMM. In exchange, URISA was able to provide access to the online tool for testing, allowing each State DOT to create its own profile and visualize the results of the assessment. To capture each State's experience using the tool, FHWA in conjunction with the Volpe Center interviewed four States that were able to complete a CMM and analyze its results.
The report, along with many others, can be found on this page, or you can click here to download a pdf version of the report.
 | | URISA GIS CMM Spider Diagram |
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Summer 2017 Newsletter
Now Available
The latest edition of the quarterly newsletter is now available. Click here to read it. It features an article by Crystal Goodison, Associate Director and Associate Scholar at the GeoPlan Center of University of Florida. Ms. Goodison's article illustrates the geospatial tools and data, developed by the University of Florida GeoPlan Center, for assessing the vulnerability of transportation infrastructure to current and future flood risks.
This newsletter also features an editorial by Joel Bump, MIS Director at Indiana Department of Transportation. Mr. Bump's editorial outlines a system using Indiana DOT’s data warehouse to track damage to transportation infrastructure due to automobile crashes.
To view past editions of our newsletters visit our newsletter page.
 | | Sea Level Sketch Planning Tool |
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GIS Webinar: Mobile LiDAR - Uses at Oregon DOT
Presenter: Chris Glantz, Lead Remote Sensing Surveyor, ODOT
A summary of a recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The 33rd webcast in a quarterly series of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) webcasts was presented by Chris Glantz, Lead Remote Sensing Surveyor with the Geometronics Unit, Oregon Department of Transportation. Mr. Glantz' presentation provided an explanation of how Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanning technology provides a smarter, safer, and more efficient means of surveying geospatial information of transportation infrastructure and gave examples of how ODOT has used LiDAR data.
To read this webcast summary and browse other summaries like this one, please visit this page.
 | | LiDAR scanning of pole truck |
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Spring 2017 Newsletter
Now Available
The latest edition of the quarterly newsletter is now available here. It features an interview with Jason Richins, Utah DOT's Research Project Manager. The FHWA GIS in Transportation Program asked Mr. Richins about one of their GIS initiatives: the LiDAR-based Maintenance Feature Inventory.
Also be sure to read the editorial by Molly Schar, Executive Director of National States Geographic Information Council on GeoWomen, a women's group with a vision to attract more women to GIS careers.
article by Eric Abrams on Iowa Department of Transportation's process for developing their open data portal and an editorial from Cliff Curtis of MaineDOT's use of Waze data through the Waze Connected Citizens Program.
about the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission’s Open Map Portal Initiative. The initiative is a web-based application that highlights a wide range of transportation data in the Ohio Valley region.
To view past editions of our newsletters visit our newsletter page.
 | | UDOT LiDAR Study Areas |
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GIS Webcast: Data-Exchange Agreements to Meet Transportation Needs: How LA Metro Leverages Waze Data to Manage Traffic
Presenter: Kali Fogel, RIITS Program Manager, LA Metro
A summary of a recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The 32nd webcast in a quarterly series of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) webcasts was presented by Mark Sarmiento of FHWA and Mr. Kali Fogel, Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (RITTS) Program Manager at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA.
Mr. Fogel’s presentation provided an overview of RIITS' objective to develop, integrate, store, exchange, manage, host, operate, maintain, and expand the collection, distribution, and use of transportation related data as well as the Connected Citizen Program through Waze, a free data exchange program that allows user to collect real-time traffic and road information. Mr. Fogel presented a detailed slideshow on RIITS and the integration and potential uses of the Connected Citizens Program.
To read this webcast summary and browse other summaries like this one, please visit this page.
 | | Waze Live Map |
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GIS Webcast: URISA GIS Capability Maturity Model
Presenter: Allen Ibaugh, AICP, GISP Representative of URISA
A summary of a recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The 31st webcast in a quarterly series of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) webcasts was presented by Mark Sarmiento of FHWA and Mr. Allen Ibaugh, CEO of Data Transfer Solutions (DTS) and member of Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA). Mr. Ibaugh’s presentation provided an overview of what a GIS CMM is and how GIS has grown to become a ubiquitous tool across many disciplines such as government, private industry, agriculture, and academia. The URISA GIS CMM tool is a specific CMM for GIS users primarily at the municipality level, but has been adopted at the MPO and State DOT levels. URISA’s GIS CMM seeks to evaluate and visualize the operational effectiveness on an agency’s GIS programs and provide a means for how an organization can optimize their GIS infrastructure and return on investment.
To read this webcast summary and browse other summaries like this one, please visit this page.
 | | GIS CMM Spider Diagram |
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Winter 2016/2017 Newsletter
Now Available
This edition of the quarterly newsletter features an article by Eric Abrams on Iowa Department of Transportation's process for developing their open data portal and an editorial from Cliff Curtis of MaineDOT's use of Waze data through the Waze Connected Citizens Program.
There's also an article about the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission’s Open Map Portal Initiative. The initiative is a web-based application that highlights a wide range of transportation data in the Ohio Valley region.
Click here to view the latest newsletter. To view past editions of our newsletters visit our newsletter page.
 | | MaineDOT Map Viewer |
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Summary of ARNOLD Peer Exchange
Date of event: June 14-15, 2016
This report provides highlights from a peer exchange held in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 14-15, 2016. The exchange was held as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Transportation program1 and hosted by Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). It focused on a discussion of uses of geospatial/GIS tools and applications in relation to the All Road Network of Linear Referenced Data (ARNOLD).
Click here to view the ARNOLD Peer Exchange Summary.
Other peer exchange summaries can be found on our Reports page.
 | | MnDOT Roadway Characteristics |
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Upcoming Webcast
LA Metro Presents on their Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (RIITS) and the use of Waze data
The Connected Citizens free data exchange program from Waze is connecting citizens and government through data. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), serving the Los Angeles County metropolitan area and parts of adjacent counties, is the region’s largest transportation agency and administrator of the Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (RIITS). As the administrator of RIITS, Metro follows the National Intelligent Transportation Systems architecture to develop, integrate, store, exchange, manage, host, operate, maintain and expand the collection, distribution and use of transportation and related data. Waze is an excellent resource using familiar GIS methods to exchange near real-time incident data. This workshop will explain the communications, transportation, and institutional architecture existing in Southern California to develop and implement the potential uses of Waze.
Click here to register for the webcast!.
 | | RIITS |
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Summary of Capability Maturity Model Peer Exchange
Date of event: September 20-21, 2016
A summary is now available of the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) peer exchange that took place in September of 2016 in Nashville, TN.
The exchange was held as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Transportation program1 and was hosted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). The purpose of the exchange was to highlight the role that organizational assessments can play in developing a comprehensive GIS strategy, by sharing experiences between State DOTs that have undergone organizational assessments and State DOTs that have limited experience with, or have not undergone, an assessment.
Click here to view the CMM Peer Exchange. To view view other reports, please visit our reports page.
 | | CMM Peer Exchange |
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Fall 2016 Newsletter
Fall Newsletter Now Available
This edition of the quarterly newsletter features an article about the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission’s Open Map Portal Initiative. The initiative is a web-based application that highlights a wide range of transportation data in the Ohio Valley region.
Click here to view the Fall 2016 Newsletter. To view past editions of our newsletters visit our newsletter page.
 | | OVRDC RTPO Map |
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Uses of GIS for Transportation Performance Management: Case Studies of Select Transportation Agencies
TPM Case Study Report Now Available
To explore how State DOTs are developing programs around TPM, particularly as they prepare for requirements introduced by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) legislation, FHWA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Volpe National Transportation Systems Center interviewed four State DOTs and developed a series of case studies focusing on their experiences.
This report supports GIS practitioners and decision-makers by identifying examples of noteworthy practices, considering the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches in using GIS solutions for TPM and related efforts, and determining how to best use GIS to communicate the impacts of performance-based operations and planning at the State DOT level.
To see this report and browse other reports like this one, please visit this page.
 | | SHA’s MAP-21 Dashboard |
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Date of event: June 14-15, 2016
A summary will soon be available of the peer exchange which took place in Kansas City, KS on June 14-15 of last year.
The exchange was held as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Transportation program and hosted by Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). It focused on a discussion of uses of geospatial/GIS tools and applications in relation to the All Road Network of Linear Referenced Data (ARNOLD).
 | | FDOT Miami Dade ARNOLD result |
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Spring Newsletter now available online
This newsletter features a Q&A with a new GIS user group: The Geospatial Online Transportation User Group (GOTUG) and an editorial by Dan Seidensticker on using GIS to map the transportation improvement program (TIP) at the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board (MATPB).
 | | GOTUG logo |
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GIS Webcast: Applications of Geospatial Technologies to Transportation
Presenters: Mark Sarmiento of FHWA and Andrew Reovan of The Volpe Center
A summary of a recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The 29th webcast in a quarterly series of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) webcasts was presented by Mark Sarmiento of FHWA and Andrew Reovan of the US DOT Volpe Center. The webcast focused on how State DOTs are developing programs around Transportation Performance Management (TPM), particularly as they prepare for requirements introduced by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) legislation. The presentation summarized the findings from interviews with four State DOTs and a series of case studies focusing on their experiences.
 | | TIMS ODOT's webmapping portal |
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GIS Webcast: Visualizing TIPs and STIPs Using GIS
Presenters: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Pennsylvania DOT
A summary of the most recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here
Presenters:
John Parker, Pennsylvania DOT (PennDOT)
Christopher Pollard, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)
Glenn McNichol, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)
Brett Fusco, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)
PennDOT presented on a custom GIS project application for its Act 89 Transportation projects, construction projects, and TIP and STIP projects and highlighted some of the application's key features, including how it was developed and evolved into the main web application for the public.
DVRPC presented on the role that GIS plays in how they visualize, analyze, evaluate, and manage their Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
 | | GIS in Transportation Webinar |
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GIS Webcast: King County GIS Center and Idaho Transportation Department - Making a Business Case for GIS Technologies
Now Online
A summary of the most recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. Greg Babinski of the King County GIS Center in King County, WA, discusses the return on investment (ROI) of the use of GIS for day-to-day operations. In addition, Nicole Hanson from the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) explains how ITD understands the value of using GIS to spatially display data with the agency’s IPLAN program.
 | | Idaho Historic Map using IPLAN |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
South Carolina DOT: Projects, Programs, the STIP and MAPS - Sharing Project Info with the Enterprise
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 26th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Tuesday, June 16th from 2-3 PM ET.
South Carolina DOT recently developed a new map-based solution, the Project Programming Solution (P2S), which is used for managing projects, programs, and funding in the State. P2S is a next generation project programming solution which replaced a more than twenty year old mainframe application. The Department is also in the process of implementing a new STIP tool which will add a spatial component to the STIP process. In this webcast, Lynsee Gibson, Director of Program Controls at SCDOT, and Pat Broussard, President at PMG Software Professionals, will review both the P2S and STIP, discuss how SCDOT is using these new tools to spatially enable project information across their enterprise, and include a short demonstration of the tools.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Andrew Reovan (Andrew.Reovan@dot.gov or 617-494-3843). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
 | | P2S Screenshot |
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GIS Webcast: Oklahoma Department of Transportation (DOT) - Managing Roadway and Bridge Events for Oversized and Overweight Vehicle Routing
Now Online
A summary of the most recent GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. Jay Adams of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) discuss Oklahoma DOT's Restriction Management application, which allows the agency to intelligently route and permit trucks online while taking roadway and bridge events into account.
 | | Restriction Management App |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Oklahoma DOT: Managing Roadway and Bridge Events for Oversized and Overweight Vehicle Routing
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 25th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Wednesday, March 18 from 2-3 PM ET.
Movement of oversized and overweight (OSOW) vehicles across the nation's infrastructure is a time consuming and high risk activity for any government agency. With aging infrastructure and continued increase in freight size and weight, the challenge of permitting and routing these vehicles has become a major concern for many state and local agencies. Oklahoma DOT (ODOT) uses a OSOW permitting, routing, and restriction management system to streamline this process. In this webcast, Jay Adams of ODOT will focus on the development and functionality of its Restriction Management System, which allows ODOT to route vehicles more safely and to provide permits and routes more efficiently.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Paige Colton (paige.colton@dot.gov or 617-494-2361). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
 | | ODOT's Restriction Manager |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
KDOT’s WICHway: A Traffic Management Website
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 24th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Wednesday, February 4th from 3-4 PM ET.
Tom Hein and Mary Beth Pfrang of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), and Brian R. Sovik of Data Transfer Solutions, LLC will discuss and give a live demonstration of their traffic management website, WICHway. WICHway provides the latest traffic information on Wichita’s highways. It is part of the statewide Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) designed to help travelers, commuters, commercial transport and other drivers make informed decisions as they travel Kansas highways. With a redesign of the website, KDOT project sponsors wanted to continue the current functionality of the website but looked to incorporate innovative ideas that would enhance the delivery of information – especially to mobile users. With a short timeline, the new WICHway.org website was created and launched, and is being used successfully on desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Paige Colton (paige.colton@dot.gov or 617-494-2361). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
 | | WICHway screenshot |
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GIS January Newsletter
Now Online
The January GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Sandra Tosca, P.E., of the Pennsylvania DOT, who describes the agency's GIS-based Snow Route Planning Application. In addition, Drew Davis of Larimer County, CO, and Will Allender of New Century Software, discuss the process and implications of developing a public-facing website in under 5 hours when flooding hit the region in 2013.
 | | Snow Route Planning App |
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Reports on Geospatial Data-Sharing
Now available
Three reports explore how State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies are developing and using geospatial tools to support increased collaboration and improved information-sharing. These objectives are associated with the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Geospatial Data Collaboration (GDC) initiative, which encourages State DOTs and others to use geospatial tools to streamline and improve transportation decision-making. The reports are now available online.
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GIS Webcast: Vermont Agency of Transportation - Making Right-of-Way Accessible
Now Online
A summary of the summer GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. Nina Safavi and Ryan Cloutier of the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) discuss the development and application of VTrans’ Right-of-Way (ROW) Viewer, a web-based GIS application that allows users to view all of the agency's ROW data in one location.
| | Scanned Images in ROW Viewer |
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Geospatial Data Collaboration: Tools for Data-Sharing
Recording now available
A recording of the Geospatial Data Collaboration: Tools for Data-Sharing webcast is now available here. During the webinar, FHWA highlighted how transportation agencies are developing GIS-based screening tools, data libraries, information portals, and other geospatially based tools that support improved data-sharing, coordination, and more effective decision-making. The presenters provided specific examples of noteworthy practices and initiatives from State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). Staff from these agencies answered questions about their noteworthy practices and initiatives during a Q&A panel at the end.
 | | FHWA's Every Day Counts |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation and Every Day Counts Webinar
Geospatial Data Collaboration: Tools for Data-Sharing
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) GIS in Transportation and Every Day Counts programs for a webinar on geospatial data collaboration.
The webcast will take place on Tuesday, September 30th from 2:30-4:00 PM ET.
During this webinar, FHWA will highlight how transportation agencies are developing GIS-based screening tools, data libraries, information portals, and other geospatially-based tools that support improved data-sharing, coordination, and more effective decision-making. FHWA will provide specific examples of noteworthy practices and initiatives from State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). State DOT staff will be available to answer questions about their noteworthy practices and initiatives. The webinar will also highlight successful strategies to address common challenges related to developing and maintaining data-sharing tools.
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Upcoming Eco-Logical Webinar
Eco-Plan & Eco-Plan Advanced
Join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on Wednesday, September 10th from 3-4 PM ET to learn about Eco-Plan and Eco-Plan Advanced, geospatial, one-stop-shop web tools for national and local data sets that can be used to identify potential conflicts between ecological assets and transportation plans at the beginning of the planning process.
The webinar will discuss benefits and applications of Eco-Plan, using Eco-Plan to access national datasets, adapting Eco-Plan to your agency's geospatial capabilities and needs, and how to offer FHWA valuable feedback on the tool.
Please contact Haley Peckett or Mike Ruth (Mike.Ruth@dot.gov) with any questions or comments.
 | | Screenshot of Eco-Plan |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Making Right-of-Way (ROW) Accessible
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 23rd installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Tuesday, September 9th from 2-3 PM ET.
Nina Safavi, Survey & GIS Project Manager, and Ryan Cloutier, Plans & Titles Chief in the ROW Section of the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), will discuss and give a live demonstration of their new web-based GIS ROW catalog. Until recently, ROW information at VTrans was stored in a variety of files and systems which were independent of each other, making a search for information about any given site difficult and time-consuming.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Paige Colton (paige.colton@dot.gov or 617-494-2361). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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GIS Spring Webcast
Now Online
A summary of the spring GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. Laurie Goudy, Mike Sheffer, and Erin Lesh of the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) discuss the agency’s Enterprise Geographic Information System (eGIS), a geospatial data portal that allows internal agency staff to quickly and easily access an array of geospatial data and mapping applications for data-driven analysis and decision support.
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GIS Spring Newsletter
Now Online
The spring GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Geno Koehler and Jim Conlon of Illinois DOT, who discuss the DOT’s new over-dimension and overweight permitting system, called the Illinois Transportation Automated Permit (ITAP). In addition, Gary Baker of the U.S. DOT Volpe Center considers how the transportation field can realize the full potential of GIS technologies.
 | | ITAP's Navigation System |
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The Interoperability of Computer-Aided Design and Geographic Information Systems in Transportation
Report now available
As transportation agencies increasingly work toward streamlining their business processes, they face a variety of challenges in seeking to improve the interoperability of GIS and CAD. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored a research effort to explore the status of GIS and CAD integration and interoperability in the transportation field, and the report is now available here.
The report discusses how the following agencies use GIS and CAD together, how they use GIS-CAD interoperability to meet their needs, and the challenges, lessons learned, and benefits encountered by these agencies while implementing interoperable systems and striving toward full integration. The agencies include:
- Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
- Anne Arundel County, Maryland
- Iowa Department of Transportation
- Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
- New Mexico Department of Transportation
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Spring Newsletter Article: Available now
A Look at Road Network Management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (LA)
This edition’s Q&A is with Warren Kron, GISP, GIS Coordinator, and Justin Priola, GISP, Senior GIS Analyst, of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge (City-Parish), LA. They discuss the conversion of the City-Parish’s GIS road network to a linear referencing system (LRS).
Obtaining accurate data and information for your local roadway network is crucial for departments such as planning, public works, public safety, and 911 communication districts. It is not uncommon to have street name duplications, several address reference system baselines, and multiple jurisdictions to work with. Often times, there is not one single ‘source of truth’, and departments have to deal with incomplete unique identifiers, un-named private roads, and non-calibrated road networks.
The City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana (City-Parish) like many local governments, stores and maintains street centerline data for all roadways located within its jurisdiction and is responsible for management and update of these data. This data exists within an Enterprise GIS framework and is accessible to all City-Parish GIS users. One of the primary data maintenance responsibilities of the City-Parish Planning Commission is the geometric aspects of the street segments and the associated attributes. Other City-Parish departments maintain related datasets that are specific to their needs. The geometric data is periodically updated when new development occurs, or when roads are realigned or reconstructed.
The centerline data is the geometric basis for various datasets pertinent to the road network. These data are used by municipal departments in the process of carrying out their functions. Emergency Medical Services, for example, relies on dependable centerline data in order to locate a caller in a time of emergency. This information is used to direct first responders to the location via the shortest route. The Department of Public Works uses centerline data to manage roadway characteristics such as right-of-way width, pavement type, and locations of manholes. Also, while the City-Parish maintains the majority of the streets, there are quite a few roads in East Baton Rouge Parish that are maintained by the State of Louisiana, one of the three incorporated cities, and private landowners. Regardless of the jurisdiction, data and characteristics of these roadways must be stored for reference purposes and for use by City-Parish departments.
Street data in the City-Parish Enterprise GIS data warehouse are stored as line segment geometry, where each centerline is a discrete roadway, and roads are broken where other roads meet or intersect. While most of the attribute data pertinent to streets can be stored on an intersection to intersection geometric format, a number of attributes cannot be efficiently stored in this manner. For instance, the beginning and ending of school zones can occur either at an intersection or midblock. The same can be true for changes in pavement type, speed zones, etc.
The original street data model did not meet the needs of various City-Parish users due to the shortcomings described above. This problem led to the development of duplicate sets of street data and geometries by various City-Parish departments to meet internal needs. These separate records were not synchronized with other departmental street records, nor were the street names consistent with the Planning Commission “Official Street Name List”.
To resolve this problem, a committee was formed in 2009 comprised of representatives from all pertinent local government agencies to review street attribute data collection practices, and to decide what data should be stored as an integral part of the street centerline geometry. During this process, it was explained that certain types of data required a more dynamic type of storage method which could be provided using the intersection to intersection geometries. To improve the way in which these data were stored, a recommendation was made to pursue the development of a Linear Referencing System (LRS) for the street centerline data.
In 2011, the City-Parish obtained funding through its partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to initiate development of the LRS. In coordination with the contractor, extensive preparatory work was performed on the centerline data to ensure its geometric validity. The linear reference system allows Baton Rouge to put standards into place to create an official repository for both buildings and street names. As a result, analysts are able to validate street name and building permit databases. Also, during the quality assurance phase, the Planning Commission digitized all un-named private and public streets and assigned unique street name identification numbers to these segments.
To manage the LRS, the Planning Commission acquired a license of the Intergraph® Corporation desktop software product GeoMedia® Transportation Manager. GeoMedia® Transportation Manager is a data management tool optimized for maintenance and update of linear reference system centerline data. The finished product provides a powerful tool to effectively and efficiently manage accurate street data that meets the requirements of all end users.
One of the immediate benefits of the LRS includes better collaboration between the City and State departments of transportation. With the new system, the City-Parish can now collect and populate additional event tables such as traffic counts, pavement type, sidewalks, and signage. Also, it is very easy to perform periodic recalibrations to support asset and incident locations.
The LRS was originally developed as single level, as it was believed that ‘starting simple’ would minimize any issues that might arise during the data development process. In 2013, the Planning Commission decided that it was ready to ascend to the next level by establishing a multi-level linear reference system (MLRS) which will build on the success of the existing LRS.
Because the City-Parish spent significant time during the quality assurance phase, a single user can maintain the dataset. Previously, the only way to view much of the event data was in tabular format. With the LRS in place, this information can now be presented on a map using dynamic segmentation tools. This system has dissolved redundant datasets by creating one repository to store all street related attributes. As a result, there is improved inter-governmental collaboration, and an easier, faster, and most of all, accurate way to access street data. Today, the City of Baton Rouge is positioned to provide data to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in a format that will meet the upcoming MAP-21 mandates.
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Assessment of the GIS Needs and Obstacles in Traffic Safety
Report available
The Federal Highway Administration has recently released a report, available here, that explores the use of GIS for safety decision making at the state and local level, and considers opportunities for FHWA to use this technology to improve highway safety. The report found that while states are not generally using the full capabilities of modern GIS software to support advanced safety data analysis, most States are looking forward to enhancing their GIS and making use of advanced techniques in the future. States are aware of the MAP-21 requirements for statewide basemaps and a linear reference system that includes all public roadways, but cite administrative and technical barriers to success. The report includes recommendations for FWHA to help agencies overcome these challenges including tools, marketing and training, and research to fill gaps in knowledge.
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Uses of Cloud Technologies for Geospatial Applications
Report now available
Great potential exists in using cloud technologies to support GIS applications, but their use is still evolving. To explore this in more depth, the Federal Highway Administration sponsored a research effort to investigate transportation agencies’ GIS and cloud computing initiatives. The report summarizing this research is now available here.
The report presents background information, a series of case studies, and a summary of conclusions based on the following initiatives:
- Idaho Transportation Department’s IPLAN
- Maryland Department of Transportation’s Miss Utility Tracking System, interactive mobile applications, iMap Application templates, and Enterprise GIS system
- Ohio Department of Transportation and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s Location Based Response System programs
- Utah Department of Transportation’s UPlan
- Washtenaw Area Transportation Study’s (WATS) long-range transportation plan deficiency maps and Mi Community Remarks application, and interagency data sharing initiative
 | | WATS deficiency map |
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GIS Fall Newsletter
Now Online
The fall GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Warren Kron, GISP, and Justin Priola, GISP, of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge (City-Parish), LA. They describe the conversion of the City-Parish's GIS road network to a linear referencing system (LRS). In addition, Charles Fay of the Transportation Research Board, and Omar Smadi of the Iowa State University, highlight the importance of using GIS as a tool to integrate, analyze, and visualize data from the second Strategic Highway Research Program naturalistic driving study.
 | | Interchange in Baton Rouge |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Iowa DOT: Snow Plow Tracking from Start to Finish
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 21st installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on January 15th from 2-3 PM ET.
Eric Abrams, Geospatial Infrastructure and Coordination Manager, and John Hart, Senior Transportation Engineer of the Iowa Department of Transportation, will discuss the department’s implementation of a snow plow tracking system capable of collecting locations, quantities and environmental conditions. The webcast will explore the initial project concept, how the concept evolved and was implemented, and lessons learned from the project. It will also address how Iowa's linear referencing system made tracking easier, and how truck hardware and leveraging web services helped with disseminating information. The webcast will include a live demonstration of the system.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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GIS Fall Webcast
Summary now online
A summary of the fall GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
Bryan Semore of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) discussed and demonstrated the DOT's new web-based roadway information management system. TDOT has a rich history of deploying technology to help manage critical infrastructure facilities. For example, TDOT's Tennessee Roadway Information Management System (TRIMS) provided tremendous benefit to TDOT by performing complex data maintenance as well as roadway analytics. However, the cost of deploying and maintaining this large scale client/server based application was a big challenge. To address these issues, TDOT decided to create E-TRIMS - a new web-based application with the same analysis capabilities in a modernized format. E-TRIMS provides a customizable map interface with "Road Finder" query capabilities, allowing output on the map or as a tabular report, as well as thematic maps and charts. In addition, E-TRIMS allows users to perform and save any number of queries and change map settings for future use or access by other DOT users.
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GIS Summer Newsletter
Now Online
The summer GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Shawn Blaesing-Thompson, GISP of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IA DOT). She discusses IA DOT maintenance and construction staff's ongoing transition to the use of tablet computers to improve asset data collection and management, and the related initiatives this effort has inspired.
Also included is an editorial by Michelle Barnes and Steve Karamihas of the Engineering Systems Group at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. They highlight the importance of GIS in supporting road roughness research.
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GIS Summer Webcast
Summary now online
A summary of the summer GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
Gwen Ford of the City of High Point, NC, discussed the development of the city’s sign inventory and management tools. Tasked with complying with recent FHWA traffic sign retroreflectivity requirements, the City of High Point Transportation Department developed an internet-based inventory of existing traffic signs using ArcGIS API for Flex. Using aerials and collecting on-the-ground information, the department cataloged the signs and were able to quickly and efficiently upgrade outdated signs. In order to manage the signs after replacement, the department began using an internet-based application by Design Info Tech called TEAMS. TEAMS is both cost-effective and robust, and allows the department to maintain the sign inventory, dispatch work orders, produce reimbursement reports, and more. The TEAMS interface is friendly enough to accommodate a wide range of users, and streamlines work for office staff, work crew, management, and supervisors.
 | | TEAMS application |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
E-TRIMS: Spatially enabling TDOT’s enterprise for decision support
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 20th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Tuesday, October 29th, from 2-3 PM ET.
Bryan Semore of the Tenessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will discuss the DOT's new web-based roadway information management system. TDOT has a rich history of deploying technology to help manage critical infrastructure facilities. For example, TDOT's Tennessee Roadway Information Management System (TRIMS) provided tremendous benefit to TDOT by performing complex data maintenance as well as roadway analytics. However, the cost of deploying and maintaining this large-scale client/server based application was a big challenge. To address these issues, TDOT decided to create E-TRIMS - a new web-based application with the same analysis capabilities in a modernized format. E-TRIMS provides a customizable map interface with "Road Finder" query capabilities, allowing output on the map or as a tabular report, as well as thematic maps and charts. In addition, E-TRIMS allows users to perform and save any number of queries and change map settings for future use or access by other DOT users. This webcast will address the goals, objectives, challenges and benefits of E-TRIMS to TDOT.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Innovative Sign Inventory and Management
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 19th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Thursday, August 22nd, from 1-2 PM (ET).
Gwen Ford of the City of High Point, NC, will discuss the development of the city’s sign inventory and management tools. Tasked with complying with recent FHWA traffic sign retroreflectivity requirements, the City of High Point Transportation Department developed an internet-based inventory of existing traffic signs using ArcGIS API for Flex. Using aerials and collecting on-the-ground information, the department cataloged the signs and were able to quickly and efficiently upgrade outdated signs. In order to manage the signs after replacement, the department began using an internet-based application by Design Info Tech called TEAMS. TEAMS is both cost-effective and robust, and allows the department to maintain the sign inventory, dispatch work orders, produce reimbursement reports, and more. The TEAMS interface is friendly enough to accommodate a wide range of users, and streamlines work for office staff, work crew, management, and supervisors.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Paige Colton (paige.colton@dot.gov or 617-494-2361). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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GIS Spring Newsletter
Now Online
The Spring GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Xiao Qin, Ph.D., PE, of South Dakota State University, and Kelly Schieldt of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). They describe their use of the Crash-Mapping Automation Tool (C-MAT) and the Wisconsin Information System for Local Roads (WISLR) to develop a statewide crash map.
Also included is an editorial by Allen Parrish, PhD, of University of Alabama, and Dana Steil, PhD, of Harding University, who discuss the use of algorithms to position police resources in order to reduce automobile injury and fatal crashes.
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GIS Spring Webcast
Summary now online
A summary of the spring GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
Sharon Hawkins, Section Head of Mapping and Graphics at the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD), discussed the department’s Crash Location Tool. The tool provides AHTD with a convenient way for law enforcement across the state to enter log mile locations and roadway information when recording crash information. The simple methodology and easy to use Google Earth format makes AHTD’s crash location database more accurate and safety analysis more precise. AHTD is also using an Incident Analyst tool to locate crash event Hot Spots/Crash Densities and Repeat Incident locations, and produce finished maps and graphs that provide a quick, complete visual aid of the tabular crash data.
 | | Use of tool online |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Crash Location Tool: Recording and analyzing crash information
Sharon Hawkins of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) will discuss AHTD's Crash Location Tool, which provides the Department with a convenient way for law enforcement across the state to enter log mile locations and roadway information when recording crash information. The simple methodology and easy to use Google Earth format makes AHTD's crash location database more accurate and safety analysis more precise. AHTD is also using an Incident Analyst tool to locate crash event Hot Spots/Crash Densities, Repeat Incident locations and produce finished maps and graphs that provide a quick, complete visual aid of the tabular crash data.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Web Room link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Paige Colton (paige.colton@dot.gov or 617-494-2361). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA's GIS in Transportation website.
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Using Cloud Services to Support Environmental Streamlining
The May 2013 issue of FHWA's "Successes in Streamlining" newsletter is now available. The feature story is: “Using Cloud Services to Support Environmental Streamlining” and is available here.
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GIS Winter Webcast
Summary now online
A summary of the winter GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speakers were Bill Bass, Chief GIS Specialist, and Meredith Dang, Land Use Transportation Coordinator, at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). The speakers discussed their Eco-Logical Application, which provides planners with online mapping capabilities to identify valuable environmental resources within the region. The application is a decision support system for regional planning, an inventory of high value environmental resources, and functions as a data clearinghouse for organizations and the public. For more information, please see H-GAC’s Eco-Logical Application website.
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GIS Winter Newsletter
Now Online
The Winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Eric Leaming and Brett Juul of Oregon DOT (ODOT), and Robert Kirkman of HDR, Inc. They discuss how upgrading ODOT's Excel-based Work Zone Traffic Analysis (WZTA) tool to a GIS-focused, web-based tool has delivered long-term organizational benefits.
Also included is an editorial by Ryan Buck of the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS) on how cloud technologies are revolutionizing the data creation and sharing process.
 | | GIS capabilities of WZTA tool |
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GIS Winter Webcast
Recording now online
A recording of the winter GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/p6gkj9fc5s8/. A summary of the webcast will also be available shortly.
The webcast speakers were Bill Bass, Chief GIS Specialist, and Meredith Dang, Land Use Transportation Coordinator, at the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). The speakers discussed their Eco-Logical Application, which provides planners with online mapping capabilities to identify valuable environmental resources within the region. The application is a decision support system for regional planning, an inventory of high value environmental resources, and functions as a data clearinghouse for organizations and the public. For more information, please see H-GAC’s Eco-Logical Application website.
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Case Studies in GIS for Internet Portals
Now available online
FHWA sponsored a research effort that investigates the experiences of transportation agencies in the deployment of Internet-based mapping portals based on GIS. The report summarizing this research is now available here.
The report presents background information, a series of case studies, and a summary of conclusions given the experiences of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Interactive Mapping Program; New York State DOT's Oversize/Overweight Pre-Screening Tool; Georgia DOT's GeoTRAQS; Iowa DOT's Snow Plow Portal; and Kansas DOT's KGATE system.
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Eco-Logical Application: Online Environmental Resource Mapping
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 17th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Wednesday, February 27th from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. There is no need to pre-register and the webcast is free of charge.
Bill Bass and Meredith Dang of the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) will discuss their Eco-Logical Application, which provides planners with online mapping capabilities to identify valuable environmental resources within the region. The application is a decision support system for regional planning, an inventory of high value environmental resources, and functions as a data clearinghouse for organizations and the public.
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA's GIS in Transportation website.
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Report on Applications of GIS to Highway Noise Analysis
Now available online
FHWA sponsored a research study to investigate current uses of GIS to support highway noise analysis. The final report from the study is now available here. A text-only version is also available here.
The report presents eight case studies that illustrate how select state Departments of Transportation are using GIS and geospatial tools for highway noise analysis. Major findings compiled from case studies are expected to support GIS and noise practitioners identify examples of noteworthy practices, consider the pros and cons of GIS applications for noise, and determine how these applications might be best utilized.
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Fall GIS in Transportation Webcast
A summary of the fall GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speakers were Cecilio Martinez, Senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Web Analyst, and Clayton Elkins, GIS Analyst, at the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The speakers discussed their iMap application, which was developed to consolidate the MPO’s transportation-related data into a single mapping application to help address data silos. The application, which began as a simple mechanism to include information on funded transportation projects, has since grown into a large repository of visually displayed data that can be tailored to users’ needs. Citizens and agency staff can now use iMap to answer complex transportation questions.
 | | iMap Application |
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Upcoming Webinar: GIS and Optimization Tools for Linking Transportation and Natural Resource Planning
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Technology Implementation Group at the December National Highway Institute (NHI) Innovations Web Conference, addressed an approach for optimizing mitigation in a fiscally constrained environment.
The webcast took place on Thursday, December 20 from 2:30-4:00 PM EST.
Mr. Will Allen, III, Director of Strategic Conservation Fund and Dr. Kent Messer, Associate Professor of Applied Economics and Statistics, University of Delaware discussed how optimization decision support tools, project selection criteria development techniques, and green infrastructure mapping better balance the needs of transportation projects with environmental concerns. This was a follow-up to the June 2011 "Transportation Innovations: Linking Transportation and Natural Resource Planning Through Environmental GIS Tools," which highlighted the experiences of Maryland and Texas.
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State DOT Social Media Survey Released
In September, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released the results of their third annual survey of social media usage by state departments of transportation. Forty-one states and the District of Columbia participated in this year's survey, which showed that state DOTs have an increased interest improving the effectiveness of their social media programs. The survey also showed that states are on the leading edge of government agencies that are experimenting with newer social media tools like Pinterest and Storify. Finally, states are also increasing their capabilities to serve a mobile audience that depend on wireless devices like smartphones and tablet computers for information.
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GIS Fall Newsletter
Now Online
The Fall GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. This newsletter features an article by Nell Conti of the National Park Service (NPS) Denver Service Center Planning Division. She describes the NPS's Park Transportation Investment Needs Analysis (PaTINA), a spatial analysis approach for national park long-range transportation planning.
Also included is an editorial by Eric Leaming of Oregon DOT (ODOT) on the benefits of adding GIS and web-based capabilities to the agency's Work Zone Traffic Analysis tool.
 | | Example of NPS's PaTINA |
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GIS and CAD Integration
Seeking Examples for Case Study and Peer Exchange
FHWA is researching transportation agencies’ work in the areas of GIS and computer-aided-design (CAD) interoperability and integration. FHWA is interested in identifying transportation agencies that have engaged or plan to engage in these efforts, as well to explore any lessons learned, success factors, or challenges encountered.
To more broadly share and discuss examples of GIS/CAD interoperability and integration, FHWA plans to organize a peer exchange for interested agencies and develop a case study report highlighting agencies’ experiences.
If you are interested in sharing examples of your agency’s work, and/or would like to participate in the peer exchange and case study report, please contact Alisa Fine of the US Department of Transportation Volpe Center (Alisa.Fine@dot.gov, 617-494-2310) by Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 16th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Thursday, November 1 from 2:30-3:30 PM ET. There is no need to pre-register and the webcast is free of charge.
Cecilio Martinez, Clayton Elkins, and Raymond Maldonado of the San Antonio-Bexar County MPO will discuss their iMap application, which was developed to consolidate the MPO’s transportation-related data into a single mapping application to help address data silos. The application, which began as a simple mechanism to include information on funded transportation projects, has since grown into a large repository of visually displayed data that can be tailored to users’ needs. Citizens and agency staff can now use iMap to answer complex transportation questions.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Paige Colton (paige.colton@dot.gov or 617-494-2361). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
| | iMap Application |
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Case Studies in GIS for Environmental Streamlining
Now Online
FHWA’s Office of Planning recently published the report "Case Studies in Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Streamlining." The report, which is available here, provides background on the use of GIS to streamline the environmental review process, describes the efforts of five public agencies that have developed tools or processes to do so, and identifies key conclusions. The information in the report was gleaned from interviews with State departments of transportation.
 | | South Carolina DOT GIS Tool |
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GIS Summer Newsletter
Now Online
The Summer GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here. The summer newsletter features an article by Charlie Gischlar of Maryland State Highway Administration, focused on the GIS-based Environmental Planning GIS Tools (EPGTs) that the agency is jointly promoting with the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT).
Also included is an editorial by Jake Payne of Utah DOT, on valuable lessons learned when implementing GIS technologies.
 | | Example of EPGT use |
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Summer GIS in Transportation Webcast
A summary of the summer GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speakers were John DiRuggiero of New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), and Lee Jensen of RealTime Solutions, who discussed NMDOT’s Mobile GIS Application for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The application is intended to provide the public with up-to-date travel and traffic information.
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 15th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Thursday, July 19th from 1-2 PM EST.
The webcast speakers are John DiRuggiero of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and Lee Jensen of RealTime Solutions. Mr. DiRuggiero and Mr. Jensen will present on NMDOT’s mobile GIS applications for intelligent transportation systems.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Alisa Fine (alisa.fine@dot.gov or 617-494-2310). Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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Update to State DOT GIS Application Database
FHWA recently completed a comprehensive update of its database of GIS transportation applications that are being employed across the nation. Approximately 60 new applications were added and 100 existing applications updated. More information can be found here here.
Please visit the site to learn more or to submit information about your agency’s transportation GIS applications.
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Spring GIS in Transportation Webcast
Summary now online
A summary of the spring GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speakers were Gary Aucott, of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Allen Ibaugh, of Data Transfer Solutions. The speakers presented on the background and overview of CDOT's Online Transportation Information System (OTIS). OTIS offers a portal through which users can seamlessly access GIS-based planning data, right of way plans, traffic counts, and roadway inventory information.
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Upcoming FHWA GIS in Transportation webcast
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for a repeat of its 14th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Tuesday, June 12th, from 1-2 PM (EDT).
The webcast speakers are Gary Aucott, GIS Cartographic and Data Development Specialist at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Allen Ibaugh (AICP, GISP), CEO of Data Transfer Solutions, LLC. Mr. Aucott and Mr. Ibaugh will present on CDOT’s Online Transportation Information System (OTIS), an enterprise GIS system that supports transportation analysis that was developed to provide an enterprise GIS solution for transportation information within CDOT.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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GIS Spring Newsletter
Now Online
The Spring GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here.
The spring newsletter includes an article by Andrew Williams at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). He discusses ODOT's use of several geospatial tools to support asset management.
Also included is an editorial by Mehmet Secilmis, GIS Specialist, and Anand Seshadri, Bridge Engineer at Dewberry.
 | | Screenshot of ODOT's Web-GIS |
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GIS Winter Webcast
Now online
A summary of the winter GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speakers were John Thomas, Director of Planning with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT); Andrea Moser, Planner/GIS Manager with Bio-West; and Frank Pisani, GIS Manager with UDOT.
The speakers presented on UDOT's UPlan, an interactive, web-based GIS tool that provides users with the ability to upload, manage, and share geospatial data.
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Best Practices in GIS-Based Transportation Asset Management
Now Online
FHWA’s Office of Planning recently published the report "Best Practices in GIS-Based Transportation Asset Management." The report, which is available here, provides background on GIS and asset management, describes how public agencies have been integrating the two, and identifies benefits and challenges to doing so. The information presented is gleaned from a literature review and interviews with several State departments of transportation and one county agency. The report also identifies some leading industry trends and new, innovative approaches to using GIS for transportation asset management.
 | | GIS asset management map (FL) |
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Upcoming GIS in Transportation Webcast
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 14th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Wednesday, May 9th, from 1-2 PM (EDT).
The webcast speakers are Gary Aucott, GIS Cartographic and Data Development Specialist at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Allen Ibaugh (AICP, GISP), CEO of Data Transfer Solutions, LLC. Mr. Aucott and Mr. Ibaugh will present on CDOT’s Online Transportation Information System (OTIS), an enterprise GIS system that supports transportation analysis that was developed to provide an enterprise GIS solution for transportation information within CDOT.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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Current FHWA Research Efforts
FHWA is soliciting information on two research efforts:
- One effort will address transportation agencies' use of GIS for environmental streamlining. The goal of this effort is to identify successful transportation programs that use GIS to facilitate and expedite the National Environmental Protection Act process. A 2005 FHWA research effort dealt with this same topic; the report from that effort is located here.
- A second effort will focus on GIS-based transportation web portals. The goal is to identify transportation agencies that have deployed internet-based portals or virtual dashboards to provide GIS services and data to organizations and/or the general public.
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Winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Now Available Online
The Winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here.
The winter newsletter includes an article by Cory Johnson and Kevin McKnight, Transportation Planners at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). They discuss MDOT's effort to build a GIS-centric lane mile inventory (LMI) to collect and maintain MDOT's lane mile assets.
Also included is an editorial by Greg Ferrara and Jeremy Scott at the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University.
 | | MDOT's LMI screenshot |
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Fall GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Available Online
The fall GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available. Please click here for the newsletter.
The newsletter includes an article by Jeff Gonder and Evan Burton, both of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems. They discuss developing and deploying a Transportation Secure Data Center (TSDC) to securely archive and access detailed transportation data. Also included is an editorial by Albert Benedict of the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
 | | TSDC screenshot |
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GIS in Transportation Winter Webcast
Upcoming on February 22
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 13th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd, from 2-3 PM (EDT).
The speaker is John Thomas, Director of Planning for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). He will discuss developing UPlan, an interactive, web-based tool that helps users consider the potential impacts of transportation projects on the natural and human environment. UPlan also supports more informed discussions and decisions, and facilitates synchronizing plans and projects with other agencies and within UDOT’s many departments.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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GIS Fall Webcast
Summary Now Online
A summary of the fall GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speakers were Chris Zajac from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and Bud Luo, Ph.D., from Michael Baker Jr., Inc. The speakers presented on NJDOT’s deployment of a web 2.0 traffic monitoring system using the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) service.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) Road Inventory Interactive Map
MassDOT's Office of Transportation Planning (Planning) maintains a Road Inventory file in ArcGIS format. Planning has created an interactive map providing access to the Road Inventory file. The interactive map shows the most commonly requested Road Inventory attributes, including Functional Classification, Jurisdiction, National Highway System, Federal Functional classification, and Federal-Aid Eligibility.
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GIS for Highway Safety Peer Exchange Summary Report
Now Online
On September 14-15, 2011, the FHWA's Office of Planning and its Office of Safety sponsored a 1.5-day peer exchange to promote the use of GIS and mapping for highway safety applications. The summary report - available here - offers overviews of the presentations given at the peer exchange and the conversations that followed. It concludes with a summary of the discussions resulting from three roundtable discussion questions that were posed to the group.
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GIS Applications for Climate Change Decision-Making Peer Exchange Report
Now Online
On September 26-27, 2011, the FHWA’s Office of Planning sponsored a 1.5-day peer exchange focusing on the use of GIS to support transportation-related climate change decisions. Participants from the Atlanta Regional Commission, Maine Geological Survey, Maryland State Highway Administration, New England Environmental Finance Center, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission, and the Washington Department of Transportation shared information on how they utilize GIS to inform decisions regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation activities.
The summary of the peer exchange event (available here) provides overviews of the presentations given and the associated question and answers. It concludes with a summary of the roundtable discussions.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) GIS Integrator
The GIS Integrator is an enterprise spatial data warehouse that is VDOT's major repository for viewing, reporting, documenting, and analyzing geospatial information. VDOT’s GIS Integrator also houses data from other state agencies, including the state Departments of Environmental Quality, Game and Inland Fisheries, and Conservation and Recreation for use in enterprise applications. Currently, the GIS Integrator contains over 150 data layers, which are reviewed and updated on a mutually agreeable schedule with source agencies, although sensitive information is redacted from publicly-available data sets.
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GIS Applications for Livability Considerations: Peer Exchange Summary Report
Report now available online
FHWA’s Office of Planning (HEPP) recently published the report "GIS Applications for Livability Considerations." The report, which is available here, provides a summary of a 2-day peer exchange held in July 2011 in Boulder, Colorado. The peer exchange was sponsored by FHWA HEPP and hosted by the City of Boulder. It convened several transportation agencies from around the country to discuss applications of GIS to support livability considerations, objectives, and goals.
 | | Transit-oriented Viewer |
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GIS Summer Webcast
Summary Now Online
A summary of the summer GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here.
The webcast speaker was Dr. Sharon Osowski, Ph.D., Ecologist in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 6. Dr. Osowski presented on the EPA's development and use of Integrated Environmental Planning tools, including the Regional Eco-Logical Assessment Protocol, the GIS Screening and Analysis Tool, and the National Environmental Policy Act Assist tool, all of which help evaluate the ecological impacts of proposed transportation projects.
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Fall GIS in Transportation webcast
Upcoming on November 2, 2011
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 12th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Wednesday, November 2nd, from 2-3 PM (EDT).
The speakers are Chris Zajac, Principal Engineer-Planning, of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and Bud Luo, Ph.D., Project Manager, of Michael Baker Jr., Inc. They will discuss developing a web 2.0 traffic monitoring system (TMS) that helps NJDOT and system users monitor and manage traffic conditions. More information on the TMS can be found in the GIS in Transportation summer newsletter.
To access the webcast, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1274 (call-in); 7838594# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) FieldManager
FieldManager is a road construction management software developed to help eliminate a time-consuming and error-prone paper process for managing road construction projects. The consultant-developed software allows users to track the progress of construction projects and the documentation process. It also stores and maintains data for all aspects of contracts, integrating with existing financial systems for contractor payments and long-range planning systems. In Michigan, there are more than 1,200 FieldManager users including all MDOT offices, 128 local agencies, and 100 private firms. FieldManager produces substantial budgetary savings as the use of the software saves the State of Michigan over $28.5 million per year.
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Applications of GIS for Climate Change Report
Now Online
FHWA’s Office of Planning recently published the report "Applications of GIS for Climate Change." The report, which is available here, describes the current practice and application of GIS technologies for integrating climate change into the transportation decision-making process. It examines how select state, regional, and local agencies are using GIS to analyze, mitigate, and adapt to the potential effects and impacts of climate change on the transportation sector.
 | | GIS climate change application |
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Summer GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Newsletter now available online
The Summer GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here.
The summer newsletter includes an article by Chris Zajac of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), Bud Luo, Ph.D., and James Yeager, P.E., PTP, both of Michael Baker Jr., Inc. They discuss NJDOT's traffic monitoring system (TMS), which helps NJDOT and system users to monitor and manage traffic conditions.
Also included is an editorial by Craig Schorling of the Transmap Corporation.
 | | TMS screenshot |
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Summer GIS in Transportation Webcast
Upcoming on August 29
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 11th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Monday, August 29th, from 2-3 PM (EDT).
The speaker is Sharon Osowski, Ph.D., Ecologist/Environmental Scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 6. Dr. Osowski will present on the Geographic Information System Screening and Analysis Tool (GISST), Regional Ecological Assessment Protocol (REAP), and related tools. Both the GISST and REAP were developed by EPA's Region 6. The GISST is a screening process that evaluates environmental vulnerability and impact through the use of over 100 different types of environmental resource and stressor “criteria” developed by EPA. REAP uses existing GIS data to classify land on the basis of ecological importance and will cover all of Region 6.
To access the webinar, please see the information listed below:
Audio: 1-877-336-1839 (call-in); 3749638# (passcode)
Webroom link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
Information on previous webcasts can be found here on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website.
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NCHRP Report 695 Published
A Guide for Implementing An Enterprise GIS for Right-of-Way
 | | NCHRP Report 695 Cover |
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A new report is available on the Transportation Research Board's (TRB) website. From their website: "TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 695: Guide for Implementing a Geospatially Enabled Enterprise-wide Information Management System for Transportation Agency Real Estate Offices provides guidance for right-of-way offices in implementing a geospatially enabled enterprise-wide information management system and includes a logical model to assist with this implementation." This report was sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in cooperation with FHWA. You can get a copy of the report here. |
| | TMS screenshot |
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Spring GIS in Transportation Webcast
Summary now available online
A summary of the spring GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The webcast speaker was Dr. Sam Merrill, Director of the New England Environmental Finance Center at the Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine. Dr. Merrill presented and demonstrated the Coastal Adaptation to Sea Level Rise Tool (COAST). COAST helps determine and address the financial implications of sea level rise.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Wyoming Department of Transportation's (WYDOT) Travel Information Map
WYDOT's internet-based Travel Information Map provides regularly updated travel information, including weather and road conditions, to the public and other users. The tool contains a map of the state depicting highway routes, the location of rest areas and construction projects, road closures, alerts, as well as other information for the traveler. Routes are color-coded to indicate current road surface and weather conditions as reported from 26 roadside weather stations. A "zoom" feature allows viewers to hone in on a particular area to see more detailed information. To view the Travel Information Map, click here.
 | | Map Screenshot |
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Spring GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Newsletter now available online
The spring GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here.
The newsletter includes an article by Andrew McKinney, Chris Lambert, and Will Holmes, all of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), on KYTC's development of a mobile billboard application. Also included is an editorial by Fred Judson of the Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT) and Shawn Blaesing-Thompson of Iowa DOT. The editorial focuses on the DOTs' development of a GIS for Strategic Asset Management group.
 | | KYTC Billboard Application |
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GIS Practice of the Week
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) VideoLog
PennDOT's VideoLog was initially developed as part of a maintenance and operations pavement survey. The program is now managed through the efforts of the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations, the Bureau of Planning and Research-GIS Division, and outside video vendors.
The online VideoLog displays interval photographs of road segments and allows a user to scroll through multiple photographs. VideoLog data is collected by a vehicle called a VideoLog Van or Video Van. Video logging provides information on all of the following: pavement roughness data, geometric information (e.g., horizontal and vertical curve data, grade, traffic signals, cross-slope, super elevation), rumble strip locations, and other feature types and locations. Comprehensive updates to data displayed in the VideoLog occur periodically. For more information on the VideoLog, please click here.
 | | VideoLog screenshot |
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Upcoming Spring GIS in Transportation Webcast
Please join the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 10th installment in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast will take place on Monday, May 23rd, from 3-4 PM (EST).
The speaker is Dr. Sam Merrill, Director of the New England Environmental Finance Center at the University of Southern Maine. Dr. Merrill will present on the GIS-based Coastal Adaptation to Sea Level Rise Tool (COAST). COAST assesses costs and benefits of adaptations to sea level rise scenarios by incorporating a variety of existing datasets and projected sea level rise scenarios into a comprehensive GIS-based picture of potential economic damage. COAST displays location-specific avoided costs associated with particular adaptive actions and costs incurred by implementing those actions, assisting coastal municipalities to select appropriate strategies. COAST also has applications for inland areas that include analyzing and displaying the economic, social, and environmental impacts of a potential hazard event (e.g., extreme rainfall, fire).
Please use the following information to join the webcast:
- Webcast link: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransportation/
- Audio Number: 800-683-4564
- Participant Passcode: 176938
The intended audiences for this webcast series are planners and GIS practitioners from State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, FHWA Division Offices, and State and Federal resource agencies.
If you would like highlight one of your agency's geospatial applications in an upcoming webcast, please contact Alisa Fine (alisa.fine@dot.gov or 617-494-2310). Information on previous webcasts can be found on FHWA’s GIS in Transportation website here.
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FHWA Research on GIS Applications for Transportation Asset Management
Study of Best Practices
FHWA is beginning a research project that will examine the current state of the practice regarding transportation asset management applications of GIS in the United States. Effective efforts at both the state DOT and local transportation agency levels will be highlighted in a report on best practices. If your agency has a GIS application for asset management or if you are aware of any, please contact Carson Poe at 617-494-2765 or Carson.Poe@dot.gov.
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Winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Newsletter now available online
The Winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available here.
The winter newsletter includes an article by Todd Pierce, Research Scientist at the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Asheville. He discusses the development of the Multi-Hazard Risk Tool, an online mapping and reporting application.
Also included in the winter issue is an editorial by Ed Arabas, Senior Operations and Policy Analyst at the State of Oregon Department of Administrative Services.
The image below is a screenshot from the Multi-Hazard Risk Tool, which the newsletter describes in more detail.
 | | Multi-Hazard Risk Tool |
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Winter GIS in Transportation Webcast
Summary now available online
A summary of the winter GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The webcast speakers were Jason Wang of the Appalachian Regional Commission and Sang Yoo of the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute. The speakers presented on and demonstrated the Appalachian Development Highway System's (ADHS) GIS.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Maryland Department of Transportation's Coordinated Highways Action Reponse Team (CHART)
CHART is a joint effort of the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Transportation Authority, and the Maryland State Police, in cooperation with other Federal, state and local agencies. CHART's mission is to improve "real-time" operations of Maryland's highway system through teamwork and technology. The map interface allows users to view current traffic and emergency road conditions from across the state. There are six different map tabs to choose from: Traffic, Road Work, Hauling Restrictions, Roadway Weather, Video and Camera, and Information Devices. For additional information on CHART, please click here.
 | | CHART screenshot |
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Upcoming FHWA GIS Peer Exchanges
Seeking Participants
FHWA is seeking potential participants interested in one of the following upcoming two peer exchanges: GIS for Transportation and Livability GIS for Transportation and Climate Change Analysis (mitigation or adaptation) Each of the exchanges will convene practitioners wanting to share and learn about existing effective practices, methodologies, and lessons learned concerning the use of GIS technologies for the respective topics. Dates for the peer exchanges have not been determined, but the timeframe for both is early- to mid-summer or September 2011.
If you are interested in learning more about the GIS for Transportation and Livability peer exchange, please contact Alisa Fine at 617-494-2310 or Alisa.Fine@dot.gov.
If you are interested in learning more about the GIS for Transportation and Climate Change Analysis peer exchange, please contact Gina Filosa at 617-494-3452 or Gina.Filosa@dot.gov.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Delaware Department of Transportation's (DelDOT) TAZ GIS data
Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs) are a unit of geography used in transportation planning by DelDOT and Delaware's two Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). In Delaware, TAZs have been created and are maintained by DelDOT and MPOs in conjunction with the University of Delaware's Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research (CADSR). DelDOT maintains a website that links users to information about TAZs and to GIS data sets representing TAZs.
 | | Sample TAZs (Wilmington, DE) |
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GIS in Transportation Webcast
Summary now available online
A summary of the winter GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The webcast speakers were Matt Hiebert and Stuart Harlan from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The speakers presented on and demonstrated MoDOT's Traveler Information Map.
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Applications of GIS for Livability: Case Studies of Select Transportation Agencies
Report now available online
This report, available here, summarizes the results of a study conducted to assess how GIS applications are being used to identify, evaluate, and assess livability issues from a transportation point of view. The practices, challenges, and lessons learned in this study are expected to help others in the transportation industry identify and evaluate approaches to developing GIS applications for similar purposes.
 | | GIS application for livability |
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Spring GIS in Transportation Webcast Coming Soon
March 10, 2011
On March 10, 2011, FHWA will present its 9th webcast in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast speakers are Jason Wang, Senior Transportation Specialist at the Appalachian Regional Commission, and Sang Yoo, Research Associate at the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute.
The webcast will focus on development of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) GIS. The ADHS GIS is an integrated, comprehensive, web-based mapping system. It includes data from 13 states in the Appalachian region and supports integrated usage by Federal, state, and local users. The fall issue of the FHWA GIS newsletter also featured information on the ADHS GIS.
To log into the webcast, please use the following information:
Link to join the webcast: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistransport
Call number: 877-336-1839
Participant passcode: 9323412
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GIS Practice of the Week
Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT) Transportation Explorer (TREX) web application
TREX is a web portal system that serves as both an internal GIS information clearinghouse (85 available layers) and an application that allows the public real-time access to GDOT maps, reports, plans, videologs, and images of the entire state (23 available layers). TREX received the 2005 Georgia Technology Conference Best of Georgia Award for Redefining Government and was runner-up for the URISA Exemplary Systems in Government Award.
 | | TREX sample map |
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GIS Practice of the Week
TriMet Interactive Map (Portland, Oregon)
TriMet provides public transportation for the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. TriMet's Interactive Map is an internet mapping application that allows customers to access detailed transit information including aerial views, route maps, Park and Ride lot locations, fare zones, and schedules. The purpose of the application, which was first piloted in 2008, is to help customers plan trips according to customized preferences, including location, departure and arrival times, maximum walking distances, and modal choices.
For more information, please see the Interactive Map website here.
 | | Interactive Map screenshot |
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FHWA GIS Webcast
January 19, 2011
On January 19, 2011, FHWA will present its 8th webcast in a quarterly series of webcasts highlighting applications of geospatial technologies in transportation.
The webcast speakers are Stuart Harlan, Senior Information Systems Technologist, and Charles (Matt) Hiebert, Web Manager, both of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
The webcast will focus on MoDOT's Traveler Information Map, an interactive, publically accessible map showing road conditions, work zones, incidents, and other travel information for Missouri. The webcast will cover how MoDOT developed the application, challenges and lessons learned, and the application's GIS architecture and operation.
To log into the webcast, please use the following information:
Link to join the webcast: http://fhwa.adobeconnect.com/gistqw/
Call Number: 800-683-4564
Participant Passcode: 711195
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GIS Practice of the Week
California Transportation Investment System (CTIS)
CTIS uses a GIS to display the transportation system along with future projects. It shows where transportation investment is currently underway (programmed) and where it will be (planned) over the next 20 years.
The dataset includes highway, local, rail, airport, bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and Proposition 1B projects at both the State and regional levels. Base layer and existing transportation system datasets are also provided.
For more information, click here.
 | | Excerpt of CTIS |
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GIS Practice of the Week
MetroGIS (St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota)
MetroGIS is an award-winning, regional GIS initiative serving the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It provides a regional forum to promote and facilitate widespread sharing of geospatial data. MetroGIS is a voluntary collaboration of local and regional governments, with partners in state and Federal government, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses.
Two web-based, resource search tools currently exist that were developed to address MetroGIS stakeholder needs: DataFinder and GeoServices Finder. These resources assist individuals to locate existing geospatial data, applications and web services, and application and web service components important to addressing their respective business needs.
For more information on MetroGIS or the resource search tools, please click here.
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Fall GIS in Transportation Newsletter
The fall GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available. Please click here for the newsletter.
The fall newsletter includes an article by Jason Wang, Senior Transportation Specialist at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and Sang Yoo, Brad Cains, and Greg Dudding, all Research Associates at the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute (RTI). They discuss the development of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) GIS.
Also included in the fall issue is an editorial by James E. Mitchell, Ph.D., Information Technology GIS Manager at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). The editorial focuses on the benefits of developing a national GIS database.
The image below is a screenshot from the ADHS application, which the newsletter describes in more detail.
 | | ADHS Screenshot |
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GIS Practice of the Week
Montana Cadastral Mapping Project
Cadastral data is a framework of property boundaries along with associated land ownership information (who owns what and where). The goals of the Montana Cadastral Mapping Project are to produce and maintain cadastral information in a consistent, digital format for the entire state. In the interest of efficiency, the Montana Cadastral Mapping Project used existing data, personnel, and funding resources whenever available.
Two pieces of information utilized by the Montana Cadastral Mapping Project are required to create aliquot part parcels (aliquots are the basic unit of land in the Public Land Survey System, denoting a parcel of land one mile square in extent or 640 acres):
- Legal land descriptions defining the aliquot parts to plot.
- Framework of coordinates defining the public land survey.
For most of the state, both pieces of information exist in a digital format. The existing databases are the Montana Department of Revenue Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal System (CAMA) database and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Geographic Coordinate Database (GCDB). Integrating the above two databases to produce digital land ownership parcels required custom written software, approaching 20,000 lines of code in 40 programs, using several programming environments controlled by a single user interface. This suite of programs, called the Montana Automated Parcel Program (MAPP), is the backbone of the project.
For more information on the project, please click here.
 | | Excerpt of map for Helena, MT |
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Report on Cultural Resources GIS (CRGIS) Database
Now Available
Report Offers Best Practices, Model for State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) To Develop CRGIS Databases
Recommendations and best practices for state DOTs to develop statewide CRGIS databases are described in a report released September 30 under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (Project 25-25, Task 61).
A CRGIS database can help state DOTs streamline the historic preservation compliance process during the design and implementation of transportation improvement projects.
According to the report, a CRGIS database can help state DOTs do the following:
- identify cultural resources that are also Section 4(f) properties, during transportation planning and early project development;
- design projects that avoid significant cultural resources that otherwise would require expensive and time consuming mitigation prior to construction;
- identify, budget, and schedule the level of effort needed to conduct cultural resources investigations at the beginning of the project development process, resulting in predictability in project costs and scheduling; and
- identify the need for cultural resource mitigation during transportation planning or early in the project development process.
The study involved a survey of state DOTs that have developed a CRGIS to identify best practices in the following areas: database development, database design, database access, implementation of the CRGIS, and future plans for the CRGIS.
The study also produced a sample dataset for a hypothetical CRGIS database that state DOTs can use as a model.
To access the report, please click here. A presentation on the study is also included with the report.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Northeastern Illinois - Asset Management System
The Regional Transportation Asset Management System (RTAMS) is a data warehouse for planning and financial information on the transit system in the northeastern Illinois area surrounding Chicago. RTAMS allows users to access transit and other related data through an interactive map. The Northeastern Illinois RTA developed RTAMS in coordination with other regional agencies. For information on RTAMS, please click here.
 | | RTAMS website |
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GIS Practice of the Week
Washington State DOT's GeoData Distribution Catalog
The WSDOT GeoData Distribution Catalog is a centralized distribution site for GIS data produced at WSDOT. The catalog is maintained by the Office of Information Technology. Data are used by WSDOT's transportation partners, government entities, schools, private businesses, and the general public. For more information, please click here.
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Summer GIS in Transportation Webcast
Webcast summary now available online
A summary and recording of the summer GIS in Transportation webcast is now available here. The webcast speaker was Fred Judson from the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 2. Mr. Judson presented and demonstrated several of ODOT District 2's GIS-based asset management applications.
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Summer GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Newsletter now available online
The summer GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available. Please click here for the newsletter.
The summer newsletter includes an article by Fred Judson, GIS Coordinator at the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) District 2, on the district's GIS-based asset management applications.
Also included in the summer issue is an editorial by Eric Abrams, GIS Coordinator at Iowa DOT. The editorial focuses on implementation of geospatial web services and processed-based GIS applications.
The image below is a screenshot from ODOT's web-based mapping application, which the newsletter describes in more detail.
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GIS Practice of the Week
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department's Historic Bridge Management System
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) developed a Historic Bridge Management System (HBMS). HBMS utilizes innovative GIS technologies to effectively manage the AHTD Historic Bridge Inventory and enhance mitigation during historic bridge replacement processes.
AHTD developed HBMS to centralize its historic bridge data using GIS technology, monitor and analyze trends in distribution and replacement of AHTD's historic bridges, improve marketing of historic bridges, and enhance mitigation techniques used during the historic bridge replacement process.
Using HBMS, AHTD can easily locate historic bridges on maps and interpret each bridge's landscape. HBMS also includes documents for each bridge, such as National Register of Historic Places nomination forms, related Section 4(f) and other programmatic agreements, and other materials.
For more information, please click here.
 | | Excerpt of State bridge atlas |
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Report on Current Uses of Web 2.0 Applications in Transportation
Report now available online
FHWA recently sponsored a research study to investigate current uses of web 2.0 applications in transportation. The final report from the study is now available here. A text-only version is also available here.
The report presents seven case studies that illustrate how select state Departments of Transportation are using web 2.0 technologies to meet business objectives. Web 2.0 technologies in use include GIS-based mashup maps, social media, wikis, and other types of applications.
Major findings compiled from case studies are intended to help transportation agencies identify effective practices for implementing, managing, and maintaining web 2.0 applications.
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Spring GIS in Transportation newsletter
Newsletter now available online
The spring GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available. A text-only version is available here.
The spring newsletter includes an article by Nick Vakili-Rad, Special Projects Engineer at the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), on SCDOT's use of GIS to build a Project Screening Tool.
Also included in the spring issue is an editorial by Greg Ferrara, Program Manager at the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at North Carolina State University. The editorial focuses on ITRE's GIS support for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol's Motor Carrier Enforcement group.
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Spring GIS in Transportation Webcast
Webcast summary now available online
A summary of the spring GIS in Transportation webcast is now available. The webcast speaker was Todd Pierce from the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Asheville. Mr. Pierce presented on the Buncombe County, North Carolina, Multi-Hazard Risk Tool.
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Winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter
Newsletter now available online
The winter GIS in Transportation Newsletter is now available. A text-only version is available here.
The winter newsletter includes an article by Rose Braun, GIS Manager at the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR), on NDOR's GIS-based Right-of-Way application.
Also included in the winter issue is an editorial by Kevin Hunt, GIS Manager at the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The editorial discussed NYSDOT's Road Status and Damage Assessment application.
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