Data Integration
The Colorado Experience
Is It Worth It?
Data integration not only
improved CDOT's information management, planning, and program delivery practices, but also reinforced its transportation policies. |
CDOT's data integration efforts
have been focused and are still continuing
to evolve. Through these
and other Asset Management efforts,
the department plans to assemble
available data to make informed
resource allocation decisions.
Institutionalizing these decisionmaking processes has been critical, especially
in a time of high turnover and loss of experienced staff. Ultimately,
the analytical and data integration tools CDOT is adopting will lead to
more efficient uses of taxpayer money.
CDOT has identified several incentives to encourage implementation
of its Asset Management Plan including data integration. The sidebar below lists examples of benefits, organized around the four key areas of
the plan.
Policy and Institutional Benefits
- More comprehensive understanding of the transportation impacts
of the statewide program
- Ability to apply Investment Categories to program development
and tradeoff analyses, which would result in more rational investment
decisionmaking
- Ability to track and compare the results of all projects in a consistent
manner
- Enhanced systemwide decisions—wider alternatives and potential
cost savings for solutions to State transportation problems
- More informed and committed staff
- Increased public awareness and support
Planning and Programming Benefits
- Rational basis for standards, levels of service, and interpretation
of performance throughout the transportation system
- Stronger basis for program delivery and accountability
- Increased ability to track the success of programs in terms of
defined goals and objectives at the departmental and program levels
- Greater understanding of how various funding levels will impact
system performance
- Objective understanding of basis for allocation of resources
Program Delivery Benefits
- Identification of opportunities for risk and cost reduction such
as that associated with data collection, analysis, and management
- Improved accountability to constituencies
- Ability to maintain program consistency and ensure full value
received for funds expended
- Maintenance of stable system condition at minimum life-cycle
costs
Information and Analysis Benefits
- Better, smarter use of existing system capabilities
- Security of critical support and effective planning for information
needs, now and in the future
- Promotion of better communication
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