A Summary of State DOT GIS Activities Presented at the 1999 AASHTO GIS-T Symposium San Diego, CA
Information Sources Telephone survey of state DOT GIS managers 49 State DOTs surveyed in 1999 Results compared with 1996, 97 & 98 surveys BTS state DOT site visits More in-depth investigation of GIS activities and issues 17 states visited through December 1998
BTS Site Visits
Stage of Development Mature/Production Development/Deployment Early Implementation Planning, Pilots No GIS Activity 1998 1998 1997 1996 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Location of GIS Unit Planning Information Mgmt. Mapping/Cartography Multiple Locations 1999 1998 1997 1996 Unknown 0 5 10 15 20
GIS Organizational Fit (BTS Site Visits) No apparent correlation between success of GIS unit and its location in the DOT. More significant factor is support from senior DOT management. Many DOT s separate GIS and cartography functions. Different organizational units Often use different software
GIS Staff Size 20 or More 10 to 19 1999 1998 1997 1996 6 to 9 2 to 5 1 No Staff 0 5 10 15 20 25
GIS Staff Average GIS staff increased from 7.1 to 8.2 since 1996. Larger GIS units typically include cartographic unit or application developers located in other DOT units. Major issue is developing relevant Position Descriptions for GIS Analysts within DOT personnel system.
GIS Budgets Only 18 states reported an annual budget for the GIS unit. GIS Budgets are often split between DOT offices. GIS unit covers staff salaries Hardware, software purchase and maintenance are funded out of general IT budget. Contracting may be funded either by GIS or IT
GIS Software ESRI Intergraph GDS 2 GIS Systems 1999 1998 1997 1996 3+ GIS Systems 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
GIS Hardware PCs Only Workstations & PCs Workstations Only 1999 1998 1997 1996 No GIS Hardware 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Hardware & Software (BTS Site Visits) Continuing and rapid trend toward Windows NT operating system. Multiple GIS software used within the DOT. Major issue is exchange of data between software packages. Increasing use of Internet and Intranet for data sharing and applications.
Base Map Scales 1:12K 1:24K 1:24K & Smaller 1:100K Other Scales No Base Map 1999 1998 1997 1996 Unknown 0 5 10 15 20 25
Spatial Databases DOTs generally settling on either 1:24K or 1:100K basemaps. Use of multiple scales basemaps increasing. Many DOTs participate in statewide GIS coordinating councils for data sharing. Currently 30 state GIS councils are officially recognized NSDI cooperating partners. Several states have established statewide GIS data centers.
GIS Applications 268 percent increase in number of reported GIS applications from 1996 to 1999. Nearly 80 percent increase from 1998 to 1999. Unclear whether this reflects actual change or more extensive reporting. Similar increases across most application areas.
Core Functions Base Map Data Management Linear Referencing GPS Interagency Support GIS Distribution Internet 1996 1997 1998 1999 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Core Functions (BTS Site Visits) Continuing trend toward decentralizing GIS applications to DOT operational and field offices. GIS staff provides technical support, coordination, and certain core functions Increased use of desktop GIS applications. Internet applications increasing, but still far behind other core functions.
GIS Capabilities Mapping/Display Photolog/Videolog Decision Support Networks/Routing Modelling 1999 1998 1997 1996 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
GIS Functionality (BTS Site Visits) Little use of GIS spatial analysis functions. Requires consistent spatial resolution across multiple data layers Less than expected use of GIS for network or travel demand modeling. Many state DOTs leave travel demand analysis to local planning agencies
Business Functions FHWA Reporting Planning Inventory Environmental Project Mgmt. Program Devel. Maint./Operations 1999 1998 1997 1996 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Management Systems Safety Bridge Pavement Congestion 1999 1998 1997 1996 Intermodal 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
GIS-T Research Priorities (BTS Site Visits) Document and disseminate GIS-T applications from other state DOTs. Develop improved methods for conflating spatial data. Establish and maintain a directory of GIS-T contacts at state DOTs. Improve database interoperability between commercial GIS packages.
GIS-T Research Priorities (continued) Develop improved GIS-T training for DOT managers and technicians. Identify GIS-T skills required in state DOTs and create standard GIS position descriptions. Develop a library of GIS-T literature accessible via the Internet. Develop tools to better integrate GIS with other transportation models.
GIS-T Research Priorities (continued) Develop improved LRS functionality in GIS software. Establish spatial data standards to facilitate data sharing among agencies. Develop improved procedures for using GPS measurements to improve basemap accuracy and locational references.
BTS GIS-T Resources BTS GIS Web site: www.bts.gov/gis Summaries of State DOT Site Visits Links to State DOTs, State GIS, and other web sites Reference library for GIS-T papers GIS-T list server and news group Host to FGDC Ground Transportation Subcommittee and TRB Spatial Data & Information Sciences Committee