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Suggested Citation:"Summary ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2013. Use of Advanced Geospatial Data, Tools, Technologies, and Information in Department of Transportation Projects. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/22539.
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Suggested Citation:"Summary ." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2013. Use of Advanced Geospatial Data, Tools, Technologies, and Information in Department of Transportation Projects. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/22539.
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Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

Transportation agencies in the United States are under increasing pressure to do more with less. From Maine to Hawaii, most transportation agencies are experiencing staff reductions; in some cases these have been significant. Simply to maintain their current level of service, transportation agencies may consider investing in advanced geospatial data tools and tech- nologies, such as Mobile Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and Automated Machine Guidance (AMG). During this three-dimensional (3D) decade, geospatial information may become the life blood of the transportation agency. This Synthesis report identifies the current state of the practice regarding the development, documentation, and introduction of advanced geospatial technologies within the transporta- tion agencies. It is intended to be a detailed, actively linked, and geographically searchable reference source to online publications, as well as a summary of the results of questionnaires that were distributed to the departments of transportation (DOTs) (96% of state DOTs responded, as did those of Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and Alberta, Canada) and the service provider community (81% response rate) concerning their current and planned use of advanced geo- s patial technologies. In addition, there is a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of a number of the leading technologies, along with how they are being used and applied today. The service provider questionnaire helped to draw out some common inferences and deter- mine themes and trends in current geospatial technology usage. It should be noted that the sample size of service provider responses was 13, compared with 97 DOT responses (includ- ing Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and Alberta). As a result of potential service provider biases, however, their responses should not carry weight equal to the DOT responses in determining these themes and trends. Therefore, a direct correlation of responses is not to be inferred from this report. Along with the shift to advanced geospatial technologies comes a significant requirement to effectively manage what, in some cases, are large data files. To get the maximum return on investment, multiple departments within a transportation agency should share data that are centrally managed. These concepts may require a change in culture in some transportation agencies. Given the rapid pace of change that is occurring with some of these advanced technolo- gies, quality management is a critical issue, particularly when tools are combined, such as with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and 3D laser scanning in a Mobile LIDAR mapping system. Unfortunately, there are limited standards of practice and guidelines in place that can be relied on to avoid “reinventing the wheel.” Work is in progress on other NCHRP-funded projects, but there is a significant need for additional, documented research to enable effective implementation of these technologies into the workflows of transportation agencies. Some other examples of needed research include identifying and resolving barri- ers to adoption, learning from successes of other organizations, development of 3D digital workflows, and centralized data management. Summary uSE OF aDVaNCED GEOSPaTIaL DaTa, TOOLS, TECHNOLOGIES, aND INFOrmaTION IN DEParTmENT OF TraNSPOrTaTION PrOJECTS

2 Some of the key findings of this study include: 1. The most important change that is taking place is the transition from two-dimensional (2D) to 3D workflows. Transportation agencies that have transitioned or are transition- ing to 3D workflows and software can reap the decision-making benefits of utilizing geo-referenced spatial information contained in 3D design, asset management, and Geographical Information System environments. 2. DOTs indicated relatively high levels of experience with advanced geospatial tech- nologies. 3. The top three barriers to technology adoption, indicated by the DOTs, are cost, inertia, and technical expertise. 4. The three key drivers of success when it comes to the introduction of new geospatial technologies are an early adopter mindset, an internal champion, and an interest in safety. 5. The top three geospatial technology research needs identified by the DOTs were data management, data integration, and transition from 2D to 3D workflow. Most research reports are published internally only. Reports for pilot projects are generally not made available on the web. Failures and decisions not to use a technology are rarely docu- mented and even more rarely made publicly available. 6. DOTs were split between a desire for national and state standards. Service provid- ers favored national standards, when possible. They also preferred performance-based specifications and guidelines. 7. Using advanced geospatial data technologies can have many benefits for transportation agencies. Change can sometimes be a slow, difficult process, but given the economic conditions that exist today, most cannot afford the luxury of waiting for a complete set of best practices and guidelines to be developed for new technologies. By sharing the experiences and lessons learned among transportation (and other) agencies, the learn- ing curve will be shortened and cost efficiencies will be achieved. 8. Geospatial service providers are early adopters of geospatial technologies, particularly 3D workflows. They indicated that the three key drivers of success when it comes to the introduction of new geospatial technologies are an early adopter mindset, an internal champion, and an interest in safety. Similar to the DOTs, service providers believed that focused research projects, documentation, and centralized information dissemina- tion would help overcome many barriers.

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TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 446: Use of Advanced Geospatial Data, Tools, Technologies, and Information in Department of Transportation Projects that explores the development, documentation, and introduction of advanced geospatial technologies within departments of transportation.

The report also provides a discussion of strengths and weaknesses of leading technologies, and how they are being used today.

Appendix D: Primary Geospatial Contacts is not included in the print version of the report. It is only available in electronic format.

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