Statewide Data and Information Systems Committee

Current Statewide Trends in Data and Information Systems
Statewide Data and Information Systems Committeee (A1D09)
August 26, 2003

The scope of A1D09 includes research and technology transfer activities pertaining to statewide transportation planning data and information systems for all modes of transportation. A primary concern of the committee is the capability of information systems to integrate various transportation-related data sources into a strategic multi-modal information database for statewide transportation planning.

The types of data that members are concerned with include operating conditions (such as traffic and speed); characteristics, features, and geometrics of transportation systems; performance indicators (such as mobility); safety; and data to support planning. The customers served by statewide data programs include planning (for inventory and decision support), environmental and design (for alternatives analysis), operations (for real time decisions) and maintenance units. Statewide data providers realize that in order to serve their external customers, they must first be able to serve our internal data customers. This includes providing accurate, reliable, timely, accessible data as well as efficiency in collection, processing, and reporting.

Characteristics of the current state environment affecting data providers include the following: the responsibility for different modes is fragmented within the state DOTs; funding is often constrained by mode and function; most states have independent pavement, bridge, transit, maintenance, financial and project management systems; and senior management often does not have access to condition and performance information needed to make tradeoffs effectively.

As a result, state data providers have been and continue to be concerned with the following topics: using data for performance measures of interest to state DOTs; measuring and evaluating data programs; data management, sharing and integration; adding value with data collection programs using spatial data (GIS, GPS and remote sensing) and making the most efficient use of tools and technologies to improve the delivery of transportation programs; forming and maintaining data partnerships; ensuring that state roadway information systems are state of the practice with respect to collection, integration and access; filling data gaps discovered as a result of reauthorization; identifying, defining and prioritizing customer needs for transportation related data; and meeting data requirements for safety and security initiatives. Another critical issue which affects most of those listed above is the relationship between state Information Technology and Data offices as they work together to successfully manage and improve their data resources in alignment with technological capabilities and business needs.

Specific technical and institutional barriers to resolving the issues identified above include:

• Integrating independent legacy systems;
• Developing comprehensive GIS based, enterprise-wide databases;
• Creating next generation management systems that support wide range of what-if analyses reflecting different budget and performance assumptions;
• Improving life cycle analysis methods;
• Strengthening system monitoring capabilities;
• Integrating decision-making and resource allocation across all asset classes and modes;
• Combining financial, management, engineering, and operational perspectives;
  Defining system performance measures that reflect customer perspective and user costs; and
• Securing senior management support and leadership.