September 19, 2014
Innovation Implementation: Geospatial Data Collaboration
Geospatial data collaboration expands the use of collaboration technologies and facilitates information sharing among construction project delivery stakeholders. Using geospatial data collaboration can reduce the time needed to gather data and perform routine tasks and improve the transparency and relevance of information needed to make decisions.
As part of the Federal Highway Administration's Every Day Counts initiative, several states have conducted demonstrations incorporating collaborative tools into the environmental process. States are also developing collaborative data libraries and using geographic information system screening tools. Four states "Arkansas, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Utah" have institutionalized all three strategies.
States are using geospatial data collaboration a variety of ways:
- The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is developing a data library for financial, environmental, safety and roadway data.
It's also collecting local road data geometrics for its Road and Highway GIS Management System. - The Montana Department of Transportation developed and is using a GIS tool for mapping. The agency is promoting the tool internally to institutionalize its use.
- The Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming Technology Transfer Center are implementing a pavement monitoring system for paved county roads. The data, accessible through a Web-based application, will lead to more accurate planning.
Minnesota Awards CM/GC Contract
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has awarded a contract for Winona Bridge Work Package 3, part of its first construction manager/general contractor project. The Winona Bridge carries Highway 43 over the Mississippi River. The project includes rehabilitation of the existing historic through truss, reconstruction of the existing approach spans and construction of a new parallel bridge and approach roadways. Work Package 3 includes construction of the new river substructures and scour countermeasures. The Minnesota DOT estimates it saved $638,000 by using longer piles with a thinner wall thickness as a result of the CM/GC process for the early piling procurement work package.
Washington Demonstrates Intelligent Compaction
The Washington State Department of Transportation and FHWA invited private industry and public partners to view the intelligent compaction process at recent demonstration project. Showcase participants watched the compaction of road materials using vibratory rollers equipped with an integrated measurement system, onboard computer reporting system and Global Positioning System-based mapping. Intelligent compaction facilitates real-time compaction monitoring and adjustments of the compaction process.
Training Available on 3-D Engineered Models
FHWA is offering a series of Web-based training modules on 3-D engineered models for construction. Each two-hour module explores a different 3-D topic: introduction to 3-D engineered models for highway transportation, surveying and 3-D engineered models, 3-D engineered models in highway design and applications of 3-D engineered models in highway construction and quality assurance. Access the series here.
Transportation Vanguard Award Nominees Sought
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is calling for nominations for the Transportation Vanguard Award recognizing a young person doing extraordinary things in the transportation field. The award was created in honor of the late James McMinimee, formerly of the Utah Department of Transportation, an innovation leader who spent his life in public service. He also worked as a consultant on FHWA's Every Day Counts and Highways for LIFE initiatives and as AASHTO's implementation manager for the Strategic Highway Research Program 2. State transportation department employees 40 or younger who exemplify McMinimee's commitment to excellence and innovation implementation are eligible for the award. Information on nominations, due September 26, is available here.
