GIS Strategic Plan · Administration’ s (SHA) GIS Strategic Plan. This new plan will update the...

Maryland State Highway Administration

GIS Strategic Plan

For the year 2000 and beyond

Prepared by CADDScan Engineering, Inc.

Copyright - Maryland State Highway Administration

September 1999

MSHA GIS Strategic Plan

Table of Contents

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................. I

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................. IIORDER OF IMPLEMENTATION – SHORT TERM INITIATIVES.............................................................. IIILONGER TERM INITIATIVES .........................................................................................................V

I OVERVIEW...............................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1BACKGROUND AND APPROACH....................................................................................................21999 STRATEGIC PLAN APPROACH ...........................................................................................10DOCUMENT OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................11

II EXISTING GIS ENVIRONMENT.............................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ............................................................................................12SURVEYS AND INTERVIEWS RELATING TO NEEDS ........................................................................12TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE ......................................................................................................13ORGANIZATION, STAFFING, TRAINING ........................................................................................18

III TARGET TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE.............................................................................23

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................23GIS AND IS TRENDS................................................................................................................23TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE ......................................................................................................25STRATEGIC DATABASE .............................................................................................................33SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION............................................................................................40

IV ORGANIZATION, STAFFING, AND TRAINING...................................................................43

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................43MANAGEMENT .........................................................................................................................43SUPPORT STAFF .....................................................................................................................43TRAINING................................................................................................................................44COMPATIBILITY AND IMPACT WITH OTHER AGENCIES ....................................................................44SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..........................................................................................44

V APPLICATIONS ....................................................................................................................46

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................46POTENTIAL GIS APPLICATIONS .................................................................................................46SUMMARY...............................................................................................................................48

VI SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................49

OVERVIEW OF PLAN.................................................................................................................49SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................49

VII IMPLEMENTATION PLAN...................................................................................................51

OVERVIEW..............................................................................................................................51ORDER OF IMPLEMENTATION – SHORT TERM INITIATIVES.............................................................51LONGER TERM INITIATIVES .......................................................................................................52

APPENDICIES

APPENDIX A – SURVEY FORMAPPENDIX B - LITERATURE/MATERIAL REVIEWAPPENDIX C – STAFF INTERVIEWS


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Executive Summary

This strategic plan was undertaken to update the 1994 Maryland State HighwayAdministration’s (SHA) GIS Strategic Plan. This new plan will update thestrategies for continued GIS development and will also make recommendationsfor implementing these strategies. GIS development at SHA since the 1994 planhas continued to follow many of the recommendations of the original plan and isnow in wide deployment throughout the agency. The original plan suggested thata yearly review of the plan be undertaken and modifications to the plan be madeat that time. However, because of the rapid changes in technology it wasdetermined that enough changes had occurred that a new plan be created.

GIS continues to be a powerful tool for state transportation agencies to managetheir databases as most of the data collected by these agencies is geographic innature. SHA’s maps have been linked to several of SHA’s databases includingthe accident database, the traffic monitoring database, the structures database,and several other related databases. GIS has provided the vehicle for movingfrom standalone, isolated databases to an enterprise integrated informationsystem. GIS allows the assimilation, analysis, and display of data collected bydifferent divisions within SHA.

The mission of the Maryland State Highway Administration is to provide mobilityfor its customers on a safe, well-maintained and attractive highway system thatsupports Maryland’s economy in an environmentally responsible manner. Thismission was defined in SHA’s Roadmap into the 21st Century, the agency’s four-year business plan recently completed by the Agency. In order to meet SHA’smission, access to accurate and timely information is imperative to SHAmanagers and staff. Large amounts of information are collected, stored, andanalyzed daily. The easier that this data can be presented to SHA managersand staff the better the decision making process can be.

The major change in technology since the first Strategic Plan has been theadvent of client-server based GIS, and WEB based GIS. Client-server basedGIS allows many GIS users to access a central database while most of thedisplay of the map is handled by the user’s own computer. This offloads much ofthe processing load from the server to the client. WEB based GIS utilizes astandard Internet/Intranet browser to view the map based data. WEB basedsolutions allow GIS to be deployed quickly and easily to large numbers ofindividuals within the agency. Because a large number of SHA employees arenow familiar with using the Internet/Intranet browser, a WEB based GIS solutionshould be much easier to learn and training should be minimized. Manyapplications should lend themselves to the WEB based GIS Solution.


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WEB based GIS also allows SHA to publish maps and information tied to mapson the SHA Internet site. This ability to disseminate information to the public canbe utilized to efficiently respond to the public’s concerns. The advent of WEBbased GIS opens new opportunities for improving the business process. Theseopportunities include a wider dissemination of SHA information withoutincreasing SHA staff requirements, expanded and easier data sharingpossibilities between SHA divisions, and a centralized resource for informationminimizing the amount of time it takes to find needed information.

Based on an analysis of current SHA GIS activities, a review of the trends in theGIS industry, and a review of the business needs of SHA, the recommendationsfor future GIS development and deployment were developed. A summary ofthose recommendations follow. The section number in parenthesis at the end ofeach recommendation indicates the section in this report where additionalinformation regarding the recommendation can be found.

Summary of recommendations

1) SHA needs to acknowledge that there are two types of users for enterpriseGIS applications. The first type of user is the ‘power user’ who understandsthe databases that they are working with and has a need to completecomplex queries of the databases. The second type of user is the ‘casualuser’ who does not use GIS frequently and needs an easy to use interface tosolve non-complex problems. (Section III)

2) To make the data more useable by the general SHA Staff and the generalpublic, other referencing systems besides county-route-milepost need to beincorporated and maintained within the Network maps. Addition of the streetnames and intersecting streets would allow the user to retrieve information bya much more familiar reference. The initiative to add ramps leading on andoff the controlled access highways to the Network maps should be started.(Section III).

3) The current external communications policy to connect to the enterprisedatabase needs to be expanded to include wireless communications.(Section III)

4) The GIS Team should continue to refine and develop standards for thehardware and software used for developing and deploying GIS at SHA. Thisshould include new written specification for GIS WEB applications.(Section III)

5) Intranet Policy amendments to include GIS need to be developed. (SectionIII)

6) Internet GIS Policy needs to be defined. (Section III)


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7) One of the existing staff positions should take on the title of Assistant GISTeam Coordinator to assist in the GIS Coordinator duties. (Section IV)

8) As GIS expands to the SHA staff and the general public via the Intranet andInternet, increased responsibility will fall on the GIS Team. We recommendthat a new position be established that would manage the GIS map serverand catalogue server (Section IV)

9) The GIS Team should programmatically budget and schedule two trainingsessions a year for all designated SHA staff for the GIS Data Viewer orsubsequent GIS applications distributed by the GIS Team. (Section IV)

10)The GIS Team coordinator should continue to coordinate activities at theMaryland State Geographic Information Council (MSGIC) committee andbecome familiar with National States Geographic Information Council(NSGIC) activities. (Section IV)

11)There are five applications that at least a quarter of SHA staff interviewedstated they thought would be useful applications for future GIS applicationdevelopment. The five applications are:

• Contract Index – Show all locations of all existing contracts, symbolized bydate with annotated contract number.

• Construction Site Presentation Map – Sites by County or District.• Data Inventory Map – Display areas where aerial photography or project

mapping is available.• Utility Map – Show locations of SHA and non-SHA utilities by a user-

defined area.• CTP Project Location Map – Select and map locations of CTP projects by

county, District, type of project, etc.

We recommend that these five applications be investigated further forpossible feasibility, creation and deployment as either client-server or WEBbased application. A prototype WEB based application should be developed.(Section IV)

Order of Implementation – Short Term Initiatives

In order to allow SHA to programmatically approach the recommendations listedabove, the following is a re-listing of the recommendations in an order of prioritydivided into Technical recommendations and Organizational and Trainingrecommendations. The order was developed by assessing whichrecommendations were most critical to implement and which recommendationswere needed as a basis for other recommendations.


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Technical

The first order of business for SHA is to develop a more detailed Intranet andInternet policy with regard to the GIS. There are several areas with regard to theWEB policy that require attention:

1) Define the Intranet and Internet architecture. Does SHA have one server orseparate map and catalogue servers?

2) Who is responsible for maintaining the GIS WEB server?3) Who will be the Publisher for the GIS WEB server?4) Will external users be able to query from the WEB site through the firewall to

the enterprise database or other databases?5) What data should be made available?6) Who should have access to that data? Public? Other agencies?7) What GIS tools should be used to develop WEB GIS? Map Object IMS? Arc

IMS?8) Combine GIS WEB standards with SHA IS standards

The second order of business is to review the and upgrade the network maps sothat the maps can be referenced by street names and intersecting streets. Oncethe methodology for these additions are developed the network maps should beupgraded with the additional information.

The third order of business is to recognize that there are two types of enterpriseusers. The first type is ‘power user’ and the second type is ‘casual user’. Anyapplication development should be focused to one or the other type of user.

The fourth order of business is to begin to develop, at a minimum as a prototype,some of the top applications listed in the user survey. One of these applicationsshould be WEB based.

Organizational and Training

In conjunction with the development of the GIS Intranet and Internet WEB sites,we recommend that an additional strategic position be created in the GIS Team.This position would be the publisher for the map server for the Intranet andInternet WEB sites. This person would work closely with the current WEBmastersof both sites to assure that the sites are managed properly. If this person cannotbe hired, the position should be contractor staffed.

One of the existing GIS Team members should carry the additional title ofAssistant GIS Team Coordinator to be a backup for the GIS Team Coordinator.

A cyclical GIS Training program should be established that provides training andretraining to all GIS users every six months. Other applications that utilize GIS


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should incorporate into their deployment at least one initial training session and asecond retraining six months later.

Longer Term Initiatives

The longer-term initiatives for GIS are those initiatives that should beprogrammed for implementation once the results of some of the short-terminitiatives are known.

The first longer-term initiative is the creation of written procedures and policiesfor the coordinated development of GIS applications and Network band-width.These procedures and policies would assure that there is sufficient networkband-width so that any GIS application developed responds at acceptablespeeds in all projected deployment locations. The prototype GIS WEBapplication developed in the short –term initiatives can be utilized as a test casefor developing these written procedures.

The second longer-term initiative for GIS is to develop procedures and policiesfor incorporating wirelessly communicated information into and out of theenterprise database or other private database. This initiative will have to becompleted in conjunction with the Information Technology Division.

The third longer-term initiative would be to add the ramps to the Network maps.

Strategic Plan Review

The Strategic Plan should be reviewed by the GIS Team every two years, andmodifications made as necessary. The review is necessary because of the rapidpace of change in the technology that supports GIS, the continued and growinginterdependency of GIS with other technologies, and the changing businessenvironment of SHA.


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I Overview

Introduction

In order to fulfil SHA’s mission it is imperative that its managers and staff haveuseful, timely, and easily understandable information. Any agency the size andcomplexity of SHA has tremendous quantities of information generated as part ofits normal course of business. The proper use of this information can and willallow SHA to move quickly and decisively in response to the challenges arisingwithin the State including, restricted budgets, higher levels of traffic congestion,more strenuous environmental regulations, and increased public resistance tocontinued highway development. This information is a strategic asset to SHAand should be managed as such. The challenge is to capture, store and presentthat information in a way that maximizes the usefulness of the information.

SHA recognized the need for a GIS strategic plan for the Administration in 1994.The 1994 plan defined the importance of strategic data to SHA, and establisheda set of guidelines/recommendations for short and long-term implementation ofGIS. Many of the short-term strategies have been followed and are succeeding.One of the strategies defined in the 1994 plan was for yearly review of the planfor update and modification. SHA decided upon this year’s review of the 1994Strategic Plan that technology and SHA’s GIS implementation had progressed toa point whereby a new Strategic Plan was needed to set the direction for the nextfive years. Even with these changes in the GIS environment at SHA, many of theprimary reasons for completing this plan have not changed from the 1994 plan.

Need for Strategy

The need for a GIS strategy has not diminished from the 1994 plan. Continuedrapid changes in technology and the general evolutionary change in the peoplewho use and manage a GIS system, demand that some strategy be set to definethe guidelines for future GIS implementation. It is difficult to set specificstrategies for GIS expansion generally beyond two or three years. However, toset the basic framework and to be a guideline for the short term strategies, alonger term, more flexible set of strategies must be developed that extend fromfour to seven years or more. New short-term strategies should be developed ona yearly basis. Both sets of strategies must be used to assure that:

1. Proper GIS training is being given to assure that the use and themanagement of the GIS capabilities are maximized. This wouldinvolve a yearly training plan reviewing the previous year’s results,and define a plan for the current year. This is especially criticalbecause of the changes in the technology.



2. Proper GIS technology is being utilized to assure that thetechnology chosen in the past has not been outdated. Once againyearly reviews should be undertaken to set the plan for the currentyear.

3. Co-dependent technologies are being considered and planned forcorrectly. This is necessary because GIS is so intimately tied toother technologies. Once again yearly reviews should beundertaken.

4. Internal support and user organizations are being establishedcorrectly. These organizations establish the ability to enhance theusability and successfulness of GIS. They can be used asfeedback mechanisms for information, provide information to theusers, remove redundancy in application development, and providean ability to get external consultant support.

5. Data integration is proceeding in the proper manner to maximizethe usefulness of GIS to all units within SHA. This also involvesyearly reviews of the past year’s integration efforts, and a plan forthe current year’s efforts.

6. System operation/maintenance rules are properly established toassure the system meets the user requirements. This includes allthe details of the system management role, the standardsdevelopment for access to the system, use of the system, andfuture enhancements to the system.

Background and Approach

GIS development and usage at SHA was initiated in the Highway InformationServices Division (HISD). Creation of digital maps was the first step in theimplementation of a GIS for SHA. Additional steps have been taken in theimplementation of a GIS for SHA since the development of the Strategic Plan in1994. The recommendations were categorized into the following sub-categories:

1. Organizational structure2. Hardware and Software needed to support GIS3. Training approaches4. Development of standards5. Identification of strategically important databases6. A list of potential applications.

The following section is a restatement of the recommendations made in the1994 plan and the actions completed by SHA since the plan was approved.



Organization Structure

1994 Recommendation

A GIS Section needs to be formally recognized by other units and theAdministrator as the GIS Coordinator for SHA. In addition the GIS sectionshould be staffed with the following personnel: GIS Coordinator, AssistantGIS Coordinator, GIS Database Administrator. GIS Programmer Analysts,and GIS Technical Specialist. These people will have the responsibility ofcoordinating the SHA enterprise database, set GIS procedures andpolicies, coordinate software and hardware procurements, supply supportand assistance in all DOT GIS activities as well as GIS activities with theother DOT’s and other outside agencies.

Result

In 1994 there was no GIS organizational structure. Since then, the GISTeam has been established in the Highway Information Services Division(HISD). The GIS Team is currently recognized by other units within SHAas the focal point for all SHA GIS activities, administrates GIS policy, andsupplys GIS services to SHA. The GIS Team also acts as the coordinatorfor all MDOT activities with all GIS endeavors throughout the state.

Hardware and Software

1994 Recommendation

In order to make use GIS a viable tool throughout SHA the appropiatesoftware and hardware must be made available to the GIS team as well aspotential users. Microstation, MGE, Segment Manager, and access tothe GIS enterprise database server must be available throughout SHA.

Result

The statewide intranet has been upgraded to a level where all major SHAoffices including all District offices have high speed (T1) access to theSHA GIS enterprise database server. Due to the 1996 procurement of GISsoftware from ESRI, the GIS software to access the GIS server haschanged from that envisioned by the 1994 plan. This 1996 procurementwas as part of a contract to provide enterprise GIS to SHA. Theenterprise GIS solution has been accomplished with the deployment ofArcView client software accessing the information in the enterprise



database. The Digital Map datasets are deployed to each client to reducethe data transmission load on the network.

Training

1994 Recommendation

Additional training in the use of GIS should be undertaken. The trainingshould be completed in a 3-tier approach with the tiers being operator,middle manager, and upper level manager. Each tier should have its owntraining curricula to best-fit the training to the needs of the user.

Result

Additional GIS training has been provided to many employees at SHA.Most of the training has centered on the operator and middle managers.Upper level managers have been involved in seminars that discuss theGIS capabilities.

List of Standards

1994 Recommendation

The county-route-milepost linear-location-referencing standard should beadopted as SHA’s location-reference standard. An enterprise databaseshould be established on a GIS server. This enterprise database shouldcontain yearly extractions of data from private databases maintained bydifferent SHA divisions.

Result

The county-route-milepost linear referencing standard was adopted bySHA. The enterprise database was established on a GIS servermaintained by HISD. The enterprise database is populated by databaseextractions from the private databases. The population of the enterprisedatabase is handled by the GIS Team.



Actions to Strategic Databases

1994 Recommendation

A review should be made of each of the strategic databases and a datadictionary created for each database. The strategic databases are:

• Traffic Accident Database• Traffic Monitoring System• Highway Management Information System(HMIS)• Pavement Management System• Structure Inventory and Appraisal System• Digital Maps (Network, Grid, County)• Financial Management Information System

In addition, modifications, if necessary, should be made to the privatedatabases to best support the overall activities at SHA. An updateschedule for update to the enterprise database should be agreed to.

Result

Reviews of all of the strategic databases have been completed as part ofa general upgrade of the database systems. Some systems have beenreplaced entirely. These include the Financial Management System, theTraffic Monitoring System, and the Traffic Accident Database. Theenterprise database has been established. A Traffic Signal Database,Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) database, Highway NetworkInventory (HNI), and Construction database have been added to the list ofstrategic databases. Monthly update cycles to the enterprise database arenow completed from the Traffic Accident Database, Traffic AccidentDatabase, and the Structure Inventory Database. Yearly updates aremade from the Digital Maps.

Applications

1994 Recommendation

• The GIS enterprise database be established with a common userinterface and global data dictionary

• A pilot project for District 1 that establishes an inventory systemutilizing HMIS information and Segment Manager software

• A pilot project to use GIS to increase the ease of preparing the CTP



• A pilot project to assess the ability of capturing roadway inventory withGPS for incorporation into the GIS

• A pilot project to prepare an Environmental Inventory

• A pilot project to use GIS as the foundation of a MaintenanceManagement System

• A pilot project to use GIS to review hauling permits

• A pilot project to use GIS as the foundation for a Bridge ManagementSystem.

• A pilot project to use GIS as the foundation for a Traffic MonitoringSystem

• A prototype key-indicator reporting system (precursor to an executiveinformation system).

• Linkage to CHART

• A suite of District applications

• Linkage to the Financial Management System

• Application of GIS to the video log system

• Linkage to the Executive Information System

Result

Some of the 1994 recommendations for applications were completed assuggested by the 1994 plan; such as the establishment of the enterprisedatabase. Other 1994 recommendations were modified, dropped, orsuperceded. At this time, there are a number of GIS applications ordatabases designed to support GIS. The following is a list of current GISactivities throughout the Administration:

Office of Construction

• Development and use of a construction job database

Office of the Chief Engineer

• Use of the traffic accident database



Office of Highway Policy Assessment

• Preparation of GIS maps for presentations

Office of Bridge Development

• Data is collected based on county-route-milepost• Use of the Structure Inventory database• Data collection for project planning• Displaying the result of database queries on maps• Use of the Maryland Property View database

Office of Finance & Information Technology

• Development and use of the Capital Forecasting System• Use of the Maryland Property View database

Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering

• Development and use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Creation of count station maps• Creation of AADT maps• Creation of Functional Classification maps• Creation of VMT maps• Creation of briefing packages for the administration• Creation of project location and description maps• Creation of Federal & State project maps by legislative district• Creation of Priority Funding Area review maps• Creation of Smart Growth Area review maps• Creation of Access control maps• Surveyed wetland boundaries database development using GPS• Archeology data collection• Maintain global inventory system for stage 1 project planning• Creation of environmental resources maps• Use of the Maryland Property View database

Office of Environmental Design

• Use and mapping of the Noise Barrier database• Use of the project database• Use of the complaint database• Creation of community location maps• Creation of historical program reports• Use of the Maryland Property View database



• Use of the Environmental Resources database• Location and mapping of Mitigation sites• GPS data collection for reforestation & wildlife mitigation areas• Used for the wetland monitoring program

Office of Highway Development

• Used for project planning and management (data collection)• Creation of public meeting maps• Creation of construction project location maps• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Used to map current design contracts• Used to map interchange photograph inventory• Used to map geodetic control collection• Used to map topographic mapping• Meets and bounds descriptions and mapping• Used to map bridge inventory database• Used to map Pavement Monitoring database• Creation of the NPDES database• Used to map flood complaints• Used for infrastructure management• Use of the hydraulics database• Used to map site locations• Used for watershed analysis and mapping• Use of the Maryland Property View database

Office of Real Estate

• Used for parcel tracking and mapping• Used for excess land tracking and mapping• Used for district relocation

Office of Maintenance

• Used for project tracking• Creation of the MAXIMO database• Use of the Traffic Signal database• Use of the Traffic Accident database• Use of the Pavement Monitoring database

Office of Traffic & Safety

• Creation of the Traffic accident location database• Used for location mapping• Used to create permitting database reports



• Used for maintenance activity tracking• Used for winter storm mapping• Used for TraView mapping• Used for road conditions mapping• Used for CHART device mapping

Office of Materials & Research

• Used for pavement conditions mapping• Use of the Pavement Monitoring System• Use for sub-surface exploration data• Used for future needs mapping• Used for construction history mapping• Used for ad hoc mapping• Used for geotechnical studies• Used for geologic hazard mapping• Use of the Maryland Historic Trust database• Used for archeological site sensitivity surface modeling• Use of the cultural resources database• Used for archeological site location mapping• Use of the Maryland Property View database• Creation of the ARAN video log

District 1

• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Use of the Pavement Monitoring database• Used for Pavement Conditions mapping• Used for Accident data mapping• Use of the Maryland Property View database

District 2

• Use of the Maryland Property View database• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System

District 3

• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Used for Roadway Maintenance• Use of the Traffic Accident Database• Used for lane closure tracking• Use of the Maryland Property View database



District 4

• Used for plan data compilation• Used for project location mapping• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Used for study area mapping• Use of the Maryland Property View database

District 5

• Used for Pavement history• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Used for location mapping• Use of the Maryland Property View database

District 6

• Used for location mapping• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Use of the Maryland Property View database

District 7

• Used for project maintenance information• Use of the Traffic Monitoring System• Use of the Construction Project database• Use of the Maryland Property View database

As evidenced by the number of uses of GIS applications or databases that areGIS related, a significant amount of GIS related activity is taking place withinSHA as of the date of this plan. Some of these activities were identified andsuggested by the 1994 plan, while many others were not identified at all. This listshould continue to grow in the next five years as more and more SHA employeesbecome exposed and have access to GIS.

1999 Strategic Plan Approach

The GIS Strategic Plan of 1994 set forth a solid foundation for GIS activities atSHA. This is evidenced by the number of positive strides with regard to GIS thathave been made in the areas of Organization, Training, Database,Communications, and Applications development. Using the last four years as abase and taking the knowledge forward as far as lessons learned and whatworked and what did not work along with the breakthroughs in GIS technology,the 1999 strategic plan builds upon this foundation and establishes the course for



GIS and SHA for the next five years. The following approach was used toprepare this strategic plan

1) An initial discussion with the GIS support group to determine the bestapproach to accomplishing the plan. This included the development of a“User Survey Form” and the initial identification of personnel to interview.

2) A review of the existing use of GIS within the Administration with over 50interviews of Administration personnel at various levels and 4 at DOTheadquarters.

3) A review of the potential needs for GIS use through the use of the sameinterviews

4) A review of existing documents pertaining to GIS implementation.

5) A review of the existing GIS and related IS SHA standards.

6) A review of the recently deployed GIS Data Viewer, and the TMS System

7) Interviews with key MDOT Staff including the Chief Information Officer, andmembers of the Real Estate Office.

8) Preparation of a Draft Plan for Review and Comment by SHA

9) Presentation of the findings of the Plan to Senior SHA Management

10) Preparation of the Final GIS Strategic Plan

Document Overview

The next several pages will describe the 1999 GIS Strategic Plan. The plan isdivided into six main sections. The first four sections describe the GISenvironment, technical architecture, GIS support and policy team, and finallycurrent and future GIS applications. Each of these sections describes theexisting environment as well as new recommendations. The last two sections setthe future direction of SHA GIS activities. The fifth section of this documentsummarizes the recommendations from the first four sections and the finalsection, Section VI, describes how to implement the recommendations and thisplan. The purpose of this document is to set the long-term goals for SHA andGIS for the next five years. Since GIS technology is continually changing thisplan should be review and updated every other year.



II Existing GIS Environment

Introduction and Background

In order to determine the existing GIS environment over 50 interviews werecompleted with a wide variety of SHA employees. These employees weredetermined by the members of the GIS Team based upon known GIS users andother interested employees. In order to properly focus, each interview a standardinterview form was developed (Appendix A). This form along with the interview,was utilized to standardize the information received. A review of existingtechnology (hardware, software and communications) in use at SHA wasperformed by reviewing a number of existing documents provided by SHA.Documents utilized to perform this review are listed in the bibliography. Theobjectives of these activities were to determine the existing GIS organization, thehardware and software, the communications network, and level of trainingcurrently in existence at SHA.

There was only one major GIS initiative identified, the deployment of the GISData Viewer. The Data Viewer is a client-server application built on ESRI’sArcView software, specifically for SHA. The Data Viewer’s purpose is to allowthe user to access the information stored on the enterprise GIS database. Mostof the Data Viewer training has been completed, and only a few of the DistrictOffices do not yet have the Data Viewer software installed. The Data Viewer,when fully deployed, will give many SHA employees (over 200) access to thedata in the enterprise GIS database.

There were several other GIS initiatives identified and considered whendeveloping this plan. These initiatives affect a lesser number of individuals butstill influence the GIS strategic plan. One initiative is the Traffic MonitoringSystem that contains a GIS component. This has been deployed to about 50users in both central and district offices. The purpose of this system is to makedetailed traffic data available to all the users of that data. A second GIS initiativeis the Maryland Property View Database prepared by the Maryland Office ofPlanning. This is a GIS enhanced database containing information about allproperty ownership in the State of Maryland. There are other initiatives that haveone or two users. These other GIS applications are coordinated through the GISTeam and are all ESRI based solutions.

Surveys and Interviews Relating to Needs

The first objective was to determine a baseline of information concerning theuses of the various databases available and to ascertain what knowledge of GISexists amongst the staff in SHA. This baseline information was collected via theuse of personal interviews with a selected group of individuals provided by the



GIS Team Coordinator. In order to provide some standardization to theinterviews a SHA GIS Strategic Plan Interview Form was created.

Results of the Survey

The personnel selected for the interviews came from a cross section of SHAoffices. The list does not include all persons involved in GIS, but is arepresentative sample of SHA offices. A cross-section of individuals from thefollowing agencies were interviewed:

Several Offices at SHA HeadquartersOffice of MaintenanceOffice of Traffic & SafetyOffice of Materials & ResearchDistrict Offices

The interviews were conducted with individuals that fell into one of threecategories: data users, data providers, or other interested managers. Theindividuals interviewed were selected because of their interest in GIS.

As a result of these interviews it was determined that 98% of the SHA employeesinterviewed had an understanding of what GIS is. It was also determined that98% of the SHA employees can foresee a need for GIS in their existing jobduties. The use of GIS among those interviewed runs the gamut between daily,weekly, monthly, or rarely used. The level of usage is about evenly distributedamong the four categories. At the time of the interviews (March 1999) 64% ofthe people interviewed had taken the Data Viewer training but only about 26% ofthose people are actually using the training productively. Details of theseinterviews are shown in Appendix B.

Technical Architecture

Another area analyzed in the process of preparing this plan was the existingtechnical architecture in place at SHA. The technical architecture identifies theservices, interfaces, standards, and their relationships. It provides the technicalguidelines for implementation of systems upon which specifications are based,common building blocks are built, and components are developed. The areasanalyzed included the databases, hardware and software, and communicationsnetwork.

Database

The following databases were designated as strategic in the original GISStrategic Plan:



Traffic Accident DatabaseTraffic Monitoring SystemHighway Management Information SystemPavement Management SystemStructure Inventory and Appraisal SystemDigital Maps (Network, Grid, and County)Financial Management System

The 1994 GIS Strategic Plan recommended that each of these databases be‘normalized’ and their tables and fields documented such that data from onedatabase could be related to another of the databases. Subsets and orsummaries from each of these databases were to be placed in an enterprisedatabase. This enterprise database was to also be designated as strategic andagency wide GIS applications should be written against the enterprise database.If was also recommended that the county-route-milepost referencing system bethe primary key for referencing the data in each of the databases.

Each of the strategic databases has been normalized to meet the basicrequirements set forth in the original strategic plan. The enterprise database hasbeen created as a part of the implementation of the GIS Data Viewer. The DigitalMaps are unique in that the Network map caries the county-route-milepostintelligence, while the Grid and County maps are only graphical files that arereferenced to the Maryland State Plane Coordinate system. All databases withthe exception of the Digital Maps now reside and are maintained in an Informix,Oracle, or Access database. The SHA database standard for departmentaldatabases is Access. The database standard for enterprise databases is Oracle.The Informix databases that currently exist in SHA are to be phased out over thenext two years.

Each of the strategic databases updates the enterprise database according tothe following schedule.

• Accident data is updated monthly• Pavement data is updated monthly• Traffic Device data is updated monthly• Bridge and structure data is updated monthly• Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data is updated yearly• Network Maps are updated yearly• Grid Maps and County Maps are updated yearly

In general, the creation of the enterprise database has occurred asrecommended and is proving to be a useful basis for GIS applicationdevelopment and information dissemination. There are two items that must benoted concerning the enterprise database. One, the Digital Maps have recentlybeen converted from NAD 1927 Datum to NAD 1983 Datum. This means thatusers that want to overlay data developed on the 1927 datum with current



information displayed on 1983 datum will be unable to do so without someadditional processing. Two, the Financial Management Information System(FMIS) is not currently uploading any information to the enterprise database.This may not change due to sensitivity restrictions placed on the FMIS data.Consequently, no queries of project costs or actual costs versus projected costscan be completed.


SHA has made a large investment in GIS compatible computer hardware andsoftware over the last three or four years. This investment has made theoperating system of choice Windows NT and the GIS of choice ESRI’s ArcViewsoftware. All computer purchased from now on must meet the followingspecifications:

Personal Workstations (350 in use)Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3Pentium or better processors

Laptop ComputersWindows 95, 98, NT 4.0

Servers (38 on the network)Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3Novell Netware, Version 4.11Each district and The Office of Traffic has a server for GIS usage

Database Management System

Level 1 – data to be accessed by individuals external to a particular office

Oracle 7.3.4Informix 7.22,7.3

Level 2 – data pertinent only to a specific office

Access 97Oracle

Development Tools

PowerBuilder 5, 6Visual BasicAccess 97



Internet Applications

Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x, 4.xCorel 8FrontPage 98Microsoft Internet Information ServerWEBTrends Professional Suite Version 2.1

Email scheduling software- Novell GroupWise 5.2

The above listed hardware and software should be utilized as a baseline for anyfurther enhancements to GIS deployment.

Data Viewer

SHA in the last year has developed the Data Viewer to view and analyze GISdata. The Data Viewer was developed as a customized application inside ofESRI’s ArcView. Training for the Data Viewer was recently completed and manyof the individuals interviewed had been trained in the use of the Data Viewer.The Data Viewer allows the user to access five of the SHA databases from theenterprise database. These five databases are Accident, Bridge, HPMS,Pavement, and Traffic Signal. It also allows the user to overlay the data retrievedfrom the databases on either the GRID maps or the County maps. Additionalspatial data layers accessible by the Data Viewer include the state boundary,county boundaries, US Congressional district boundaries, FHWA urban areas,Maryland legislative boundaries, municipal boundaries, USGS quad map index,watershed index, sub-watershed index, SHA engineering district boundaries, andSHA maintenance boundaries.

The Data Viewer was developed as a client-server application. The non-graphicdatabases for the Data Viewer application reside in the enterprise database andare accessed via the SHA network. The spatial databases reside on each user’scomputer. This was done to minimize the data load on the network and toassure acceptable response time. New spatial databases are automaticallychecked for and downloaded to the user’s computer at the time the applicationstarts executing. The Data Viewer is seen by SHA as the foundation for creatingadditional applications that access the strategic databases. These newapplications may be developed by the GIS Team as an enterprise or wide-spreadsolution, or could be developed by individual departments as departmentalsolutions.



Communications Network

The SHA communications network that forms the backbone for all data sharingwithin SHA has been significantly upgraded in the last five years. All majoroffices are connected by T1 connections and all shops are connected to theDistrict offices by 512kb connections (Figure 1).

Kent

QueenAnnes

Cecil

BaltimoreCarroll

Howard

FrederickWashingtonAllegany

Garrett

Montgomery

PrinceGeorges

Charles

St. Marys

Calvert

AnneArundel

Talbot

Carolin

Dorchester

Worcester

Wicomico

Somerset

Harford

HQ -Baltimore

T1 Connection fromDistrict offices to Headquarters512 Kb Frame Relay ConnectionFrom District offices to shops

D6 -LaVale

D7 -Frederick

D3 -Greenbelt

SOC -Hanover

D4 -Brooklandville

D5 -Annapolis D2 -

Chestertown

D1 -Salisbury

MSHA Existing Wide Area Network Connectivity

Figure 1

The primary communication protocols utilized on the SHA network for file accessare the TCP/IP protocol and WEB protocol. Novell protocols are utilized foraccessing peripheral devices such as network printers and plotters, and providethe security access to many of the servers. All access to the SHA network iscontrolled by username/password combinations managed by the InformationTechnology Division. Because the primary operating system in use is WindowsNT, SHA users are assigned to a domain and each domain carries its own set ofprivileges.

Due to the transmission of financial data on the SHA network by the FMISsystem, SHA does not allow general dial-in access to the network. Althoughsome dial-in nodes exist on the network these are closely monitored and accessgiven to only a few people. These dial-in nodes are mostly for dial-inmaintenance support activities. Limited dial-in access to the SHA network isplanned.



SHA maintains an Intranet WEB site. This site publishes some of the dataavailable at SHA including division reports and other division information. Theinformation published on the Intranet is decided at the division level so differentdivisions publish different types of information. The Intranet site is maintained bythe Highway Design Division and its general purpose is to allow each division todisseminate information to SHA. There are currently no GIS applications that arepublished by the Intranet WEB site.

SHA also maintains an Internet WEB site. This site publishes information aboutSHA that is available to all users of the world-wide WEB. This site is alsomaintained by the Highway Design Division and its objectives are to disseminateinformation that is deemed to be useful to the general public and serves anadditional business purpose of reducing the amount of requests for informationthat are made to SHA by the general public. There are currently no GISapplications that are published by the Internet WEB site. The Internet site isstaffed by a part-time WEBmaster located within the Design EngineeringDivision. There is a senior level committee that reviews and approves allinformation published on the WEB site, and has overall approval of future growthof the WEB site.

Organization, Staffing, Training

The GIS initiative is managed by the GIS Team of the Highway InformationSystem Division. This is a division of the Office of Preliminary Planning andEngineering (Figure 2).



Figure 2 – SHA Organization Chart

GIS Team

The GIS Team has the mission of providing GIS technology to SHA andestablishing the standards for GIS implementation at SHA. There are four areasof GIS that the team has responsibility over. These are:

• selection of the primary GIS vendor• to implement and to assist in the implementation of GIS within SHA• setting the direction for future GIS deployment within SHA



• to be the focal point for GIS activities in MDOT

SHA made the decision several years ago to standardize on one GIS softwarevendor. This vendor is ESRI. The standardization decision was made tostandardize on one vendor so that there would be no significant problemstransferring data from one department to another. As a result of the selection ofESRI, ArcView and Arc/Info are the primary GIS viewing and editing tools usedby SHA.

The second area of responsibility is to implement and to assist in theimplementation of GIS within SHA. This includes development of the GISenterprise database, creation of a GIS Data Viewer, training in GIS, and supportof the Data Viewer and GIS.

The third area of responsibility is setting the direction for future GIS deploymentwithin SHA. This area includes the development and continual enhancement ofthe strategic plan, the development of standards for the use of GIS in othersystems such as the Traffic Monitoring system, the SHA intranet, and the SHAsite on the internet.

A fourth area of responsibility is to be the focal point for GIS activities in MDOT.Currently the Coordinator of the GIS Team also attends the MSGIC meeting forMDOT as well as SHA.

The current staff in the GIS Team includes:

GIS Coordinator – Coordinates and manages all activities within the Team.Coordinates the GIS activities with the remainder of SHA, coordinatesGIS activities with other Maryland government agencies through theMSGIC committee.

Database Administrator – Manages the enterprise database. This includes dataloading and database maintenance. This position also responds toproblems associated with the database

Programmer/Analyst – This position is utilized to provide programming supportfor both the GIS Team and on an as needed basis to other users as well.

GIS Help Desk – Handles all the Help desk calls. Logs in the calls. Responds tothe calls or routes the call to the appropriate GIS Team member forhandling. This individual also provides training to users of the DataViewer.

GPS/GIS Specialist – This position is set up to handle the issues that arise withGPS and GPS relationship to GIS.



Production Specialist - Temporary position that is responsible for preparingcustom GIS products to SHA personnel because the user lacks access tothe GIS Data Viewer or lacks the technical skills to product the product.

The standards for creation of a GIS Data Viewer for SHA are well established.However, the standards for the use of GIS in other SHA systems and on the SHAIntranet and Internet are less developed at this time.

Each district office and most of the divisions within SHA have a designated GISDelegate. This GIS Delegate is the first line of help for all the GIS users. TheGIS Delegates meet with the GIS Team periodically to exchange problems,issues, and solutions. The GIS Delegate is supposed to work closely with theirrespective IT Delegate. The IT Delegate handles help regarding CAD supportand administrates the Novell servers in the district offices.

Training

The GIS Team is responsible for providing general GIS training to all of SHA.The GIS Team recently completed one round of training for the GIS Data Viewer,which has been very well received by SHA staff. The SHA staff that received thetraining suggested that another round of training for the GIS Data Viewer shouldbe provided in six months. This will allow the users of the GIS Data Viewer tobecome more familiar with the software and its application to specific projects.The second round of training will then allow the users of the Data Viewer to askmore specific and detailed questions, leading to more productive use of theViewer by SHA staff.

There has also been two rounds of training in the Traffic Monitoring System(TMS). TMS utilizes ESRI’s ArcView and MapObjects software for display andquery of data in the TMS database. Training for the TMS system has been givento approximately 50 people at SHA, including SHA staff that requires informationabout traffic volumes, such as traffic engineers and traffic forecasters. Theprimary finding of the training was that the users had a difficult timeunderstanding the ArcView GIS interface even when the interface was highlycustomized to their individual requirements.

ArcView is a complex GIS software tool that is not Active-X compliant so itscommands can not be easily integrated in a larger application, such as TMS.The MapObjects software in TMS was received much better because it could beeasily integrated with the rest of the TMS application because it is Active-Xcompliant. Active-X compliance allows the application developer to quickly buildinterfaces from other applications that meet Active-X compliance standards. Anapplication developer can ‘call’ an existing Active-X compliant application fromhis/her own application. This allows the developer to produce a more seamlessapplication in less time than with non-Active–X compliant software tools. The



MapObjects implementation of the GIS portion of TMS was not only more userfriendly, but also much easier to learn than the ArcView application.



III Target Technical Architecture

Introduction

The target technical architecture defines the databases, hardware, software, andcommunications network that should be in place to support the future GIS needs.This section will discuss the future trends for GIS and IS to form the basis forestablishing the future SHA GIS. This document will first discuss the overall GISand IS trends and then specifically describe the trends in the five subject areas:

1. GIS technical architecture2. The strategic databases3. The hardware and software,4. Communications requirements for the future5. Use of the SHA Intranet and the Internet for GIS data.

GIS and IS Trends

There are many trends taking place in the GIS and Information Systems marketat this time. There has been an increasing effort over the last five years to movemany types of GIS applications to client-server architecture and more recently toWEB based GIS. This trend was started by the improvements in seven majorareas.

• Fast, cheap, powerful processors

• Local area networks

• Graphical user interfaces

• Relational databases for PCs

• Visual programming tools (i.e. Visual Basic, Visual C++)

• Rapidly evolving software platforms

• Browser access (Internet and Intranet) to applications

The desktop computer’s performance versus cost has improved significantlymaking it much easier to place a desktop computer on almost everyone’s desk.The network software that handles files on a local area network has added manycomponents that insure rapid, secure file access. The tools to develop client-server applications have also developed, including GIS software tools.



More recently, the major trend is to move many of the GIS applications to WEBservers accessed by WEB browsers. This newer architecture is called ‘WEBBased Application’. Since the user interface software is a simple WEB browserthe need to travel site to site to distribute the new standalone or client-serverapplication has been eliminated. The WEB based application is stored on aWEB server and is accessed via the user’s WEB browser. Any special softwarethat is needed by the user to execute a WEB based application is downloaded tothe user’s computer via the browser interface. The WEB also gives quick easyaccess to a wide number of distributed users. This trend toward WEB GIS hasoccurred because of the continued development of WEB based tools and WEBservers.

WEB based GIS solutions will not replace client-server or standalone users in thenear future. Many GIS applications are too complex to be easily integrated into aWEB based GIS solution. WEB based solutions should be developed for thoseapplications were there is a need to disseminate information to many users via asimple to use interface. More complex GIS applications should remain client-server based. GIS as a standalone solution has almost disappeared for most ofthe potential user base. Only the GIS user who wants to complete a lot ofcomputationally intensive analysis or perform data clean-up will utilize thestandalone GIS software.

The difficulty in deploying future GIS applications will be deciding which of thethree architectures (standalone, client-server, or WEB based) should be used tobuild a specific application. One of the main questions that must be answered aspart of the decision process is how many users is the application to serve? If it isto reach less than one user per department, then a standalone application couldbe developed. If it is to reach one to three per department a client-serverapplication may be the most appropriate architecture. If it is to reach more thanthree per department then a WEB based GIS solution is most likely the mostappropriate architecture.

A second equally important question must be answered. How complex is theapplication? Does it require a lot of training to understand the application or thedata that supports the application? Those applications that require a lot oftraining and manipulate a lot of data that is non-standard would be best suited toa standalone GIS application. Those applications that require knowledge of thedata but are more application specific may be best suited to client-server.Finally, the applications that are software specific and require little training tounderstand the data or the application itself may be best suited to WEB basedarchitecture.

Some solutions may require that a single application may be best deployed bysplitting it into two applications. One application may be client-server based to bedeployed to those individuals who need more capability or understand the datamore thoroughly. The second application may be WEB based to reach those



individuals who need to access the data to complete a specific task and do nothave as much knowledge of the details of the data underlying the application.

Many users access the data through a client-server environment. Industryanalysts believe that client-server users will outnumber the standalone users by apower of 100. The client-server applications do not have the power of thestandalone solution, but make GIS available to many more people in theorganization. Industry analysts also believe that WEB based GIS solution willreach many more users, possibly outnumbering the standalone user by a powerof 1000 or 10000 or more. The WEB based GIS solutions again do not currentlyhave all the capability of a client–server solution but reach many more potentialusers. The four major GIS vendors ESRI, Intergraph, Mapinfo, and Autodeskhave invested a significant amount of resources in developing WEB based toolsand recognize this as the future for GIS. The WEB based tools will become moresophisticated thus making WEB based GIS the preferred platform.

Technical ArchitectureThe three types of Architecture talked about in GIS trends are Standalone, ClientServer, and WEB based GIS. Below is a schematic diagram of each architecture(Figures 3, 4, and 5):

Ethernet

GIS on PC Laser printer

GIS Applicationand

DatabaseonPC

Figure 3 – Standalone PC with GIS and Database

The standalone application resides on the same computer as the GIS spatialdata and any other database information. The only reasons a standaloneapplication needs to be connected to the network is for access to printers or toconnect to a network disk drive that may contain some of the needed information.



Ethernet

Desktop Client Laser printer

Server Processor

ServerProcessor

ServerApplication

DesktopClient

ClientApplication

ServiceInterface

Figure 4 – Client–Server Application

A client–server application utilizes a database service interface on each client toconnect to databases that are on one or more servers. This client computercontains the application and contains the database service interface software.The server contains the server side of the service interface software known asthe server application. Both the client and the server must be operational for theapplication to execute properly. The network is used not only for printing andconnecting to files on network disk drives, but to also to connect to the server viathe service interface software. Typically, each client must be set-up for a client –server application by installing the necessary application software and serverinterface software directly on a client computer. Updates to the client softwarecan sometimes be downloaded to the client computer transparently by the user.

A client–server application can have some of the data needed to perform theapplication on the client itself. This could be large graphic or mapping files thatwill not display quickly when accessed across a network. The application mayalso be programmed such that some processing takes place locally and sometakes place on the server. Normally, the more data that is stored locally on eachclient and the more processing the client performs locally, the ‘thicker’ the client-server application. The more data stored on the server, or if the server does theprocessing, the ‘thinner’ the client-server application. Thinner clients generallylead to lower individual client maintenance issues. Thicker clients are neededwhen the network is incapable of providing the necessary information fast



enough to the user. The GIS Data Viewer could most accurately be classified asa thick client-server application. This was done because the network wasdetermined to be inadequate to consistently deliver data across the network atsufficient speeds.

Ethernet

Desktop Client Laser printer

Database Serverr

Database Server

ServerApplication

DesktopClient

WEBBrowser with

Plugins

Web Server

WEBServer

PublishesInformation

Figure 5 – WEB based browser

A WEB based browser application utilizes a WEB server to connect the client tothe server. No special software is loaded on the client beyond a browser suchas, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. The browser connects to the WEB server usingInternet protocol, and the WEB server makes the connection to the database. Ifthe client requires information from the database server, the client makes therequest to the WEB server and the WEB server makes the request to thedatabase server. The WEB server is said to ‘publish’ information because itknows where the information exists and sends it to the requesting client. TheWEB server and the database server must be operational for a client to executean application. The WEB based application tends to be easier to maintainbecause the WEB server and the database server only need to be upgraded andmanaged. The client browser transparently downloads any needed componentsof the application (know as a plug-in) at the time the application executes. Plug-ins can be large or small in size. If they are large, then the application is a thickclient, whereas if they are small the application is thin. Thick and thin clients



apply to WEB based applications in a manner similar to client-server basedapplications.

OpenGIS

OpenGIS is a consortium of companies that was formed several years agowhose mission is to promote the development and use of advanced open systemstandards and techniques in the area of geo-processing and related informationtechnologies. The OpenGIS consortium is actively reviewing ways that GISsoftware can be constructed to work together.

The OpenGIS consortium is currently developing scenarios for utilizing GIS onthe WEB. There are some key concepts/roles that must be understood for WEBbased GIS:

User Roles

Publisher- an individual who performs registration of datasets and the associationof default symbology with that dataset

Viewer – an individual who operates a viewer interface with a particular purposein mind

System Roles

Data Server – a component that delivers data across a common interface to anyclient

Map Server – a component that delivers symbolized graphics across a commoninterface to a viewer client, also provides an interface for associatingdefault symbology with a dataset to publisher clients.

Catalog Server – a component that delivers dataset identifiers across a commoninterface, also provides interface for publishing datasets to any client.

Viewer Client – a component that renders graphics that come from map servercomponents.

Publisher Client – a component that enables registration of datasets and theassociation of datasets and symbology.

Both the Viewer Client and the Publisher Client roles are defined graphically infigures 6 and 7.



Figure 6 - A diagram of the requirements of a Viewer Client.



Figure 7 - A diagram of the requirements of a publisher client

In the last two years, continued improvements in WEB application developmenttools have made the WEB one of the most dominant architectures for applicationdevelopment. GIS for the WEB is available and its use should continue toexpand dramatically in the coming years. In order to utilize this technology, theconcept of a Viewer Client and a Publisher Client needs to be incorporated intoSHA’s written Intranet and Internet policy.

Wireless Communication

Another technology that has developed significantly in recent years is wirelesscommunication. While it has been in existence since the 1940’s, it has onlyrecently been applied to fields that require open data communications. Forexample, field crews and maintenance offices often need to communicate data inorder to complete work orders, this technology allows them to do so. Thewireless technology generally utilized is cellular digital packet data (CDPD).CDPD, an overlay to the existing cellular network, is a wireless packet networkservice based on the familiar TCP/IP protocols. Packet data enables users totransmit data at 19.2 Kbps over the cellular network using a portable computingdevice and a CDPD modem. Packet data uses Internet Protocol and provides‘connectionless’ access to the cellular network.



Any type of wireless communication must allow for signal dropouts in wirelesscoverage, either due to obstructions between the user and the receiver, or theuser leaving the receiver’s coverage area. Applications developed that usewireless communication must be created in such a way that no data is lost duringa signal dropout.

Wireless technology is beginning to be tied to GIS applications; both client-serverand WEB based. With wireless technology, a person in the field can receive amap on his/her laptop in real time. If a GPS receiver is connected to the laptop,the filed person can not only review the current map, but can also view his/herlocation on the map. To go a step further, the user could then update a databaselocated in the central office by modifying an existing database record or creatinga new record, all in real time. An example of wireless technology is shown inFigure 8.

Ethernet

Laptop computer

Satellite SatelliteSatellite

WEB Server

Cellular Receiver

Client

GPS

Internet

Figure 8 – Wireless communication of GIS database

As depicted in Figure 8, the GPS unit connected to the laptop computer sends itslocation to the laptop. Software on the laptop displays the location information on



a map on the laptop and simultaneously transmits the GPS coordinates and theweb server’s IP address to a cellular receiver, which is connected to the Internet.Using the IP address received with the packet data, the cellular receivertransmits the GPS coordinates to the WEB server. The GPS location of theremote laptop can then be immediately displayed on any client machine that canaccess the mapping application on the WEB server. Conversely, map data canalso be sent from the WEB server to the remote laptop using the sameconnections. This field use of GIS will require new written policies to establishthe proper use and management of this type of system.

Recommendation

The trends in GIS suggest that new applications developed for enterprise useshould be developed either as a client-server application or as a WEB basedapplication. The Data Viewer recently deployed by SHA is an example of aclient-server based solution and is desired to be used as a basis for additionalGIS application development. However, with the recent developments in WEBbased GIS, SHA should assess whether some percentage of new applicationdevelopment would be better served with a WEB based solution rather than aclient-server based solution. WEB based applications tend to have lessmaintenance because the application or any update to the application isdownloaded automatically to any client machine with a browser interface.

Despite the benefits of WEB based applications, they are not suited for complexapplications. In most cases, the more complex applications should be developedon the Data Viewer and should be designated for individuals that understand thedatasets they are dealing with. These individuals could be classified as ‘powerusers’. We suspect that, on average, no more than three individuals perdepartment meet this criterion. Non-complex application such as AADT, shouldbe developed using WEB based GIS. These types of applications would bedesigned for the ‘casual user’. Casual users may not have any understanding ofthe details of a particular database but want to show one or two items likeconstruction projects for this year.

Some solutions to information access at SHA will involve the development ofboth a client-server application and a WEB based application to access similartypes of data. For instance, a client–server application for bridge data such ascompleted in the Data Viewer may be too difficult for the casual user who justwants to know where the bridges or structure are located, and the type ofstructure at the location. A WEB based solution would be better to deploy ‘inaddition’ to the client-server application for this type of user. SHA shouldevaluate all applications with this dual approach in mind.

WEB based GIS solutions require that the WEB architecture and written policiesexist to support that solution. OpenGIS has created some templates for WEB



based GIS. These templates should be evaluated and written policy developedfor SHA WEB based GIS.

With the advent of wireless communication of GIS data, SHA needs to developwritten policies on how this technology will be incorporated and maintained withinthe organization.

Strategic Database

The strategic databases defined in the original 1994 GIS Strategic plan are stillthe databases that need be defined as strategic in this plan. These databasesare:

Traffic Accident DatabaseTraffic Monitoring SystemHighway Management Information SystemPavement Management SystemStructure Inventory and Appraisal SystemDigital Maps (Network, Grid, and County)Financial Management System

In addition, the traffic signal database, the CTP database, the ConstructionProject database, and the HNI database have been determined to be strategic.The GIS enterprise database, which contains extractions of data from the originalstrategic databases should also be defined as a strategic database. The GISenterprise database is the primary database employed by most SHA usersaccessing strategic data from SHA.

The Digital Maps have become even more important since the last GIS StrategicPlan because of the need to display the data from the original six databases aswell as the newly designated three. The display of the data has been made easybecause of the acceptance and standardization of the referencing system to thecounty-route-milepoint system. Any data in any of the strategic databases canbe displayed on the network maps using the county-route-milepost key. Anexample of this is shown on the next page where accidents are located onnetwork maps (Figure 9).



Figure 9 - Example of Accidents located on the Network Maps

The locations of the accidents on the map in Figure 9 can be very helpful whendetermining the location of the high accident areas of a county, region, or thestate. However, this particular map does not show local streets, so the exactposition of the accidents in relationship to the local streets is difficult, if notimpossible to determine. The local streets can be added as a back-drop to theaccident locations. A map showing the local street layer is shown in the followingmap, Figure 10.



Figure 10 – Example of a Grid map that contains all streets

With the local streets displayed, accident locations shown on a map of this typecan be visually related to an intersection or to a length of road between twointersections. One of the limitations of the current digital maps, especially thenetwork maps is that data from the strategic databases can only begeographically queried by county-route-milepost. While county-route-milepost isan appropriate referencing system for SHA staff who is knowledgeable about thereferencing system, it is unsuitable as a referencing system for much of SHA aswell as for the general public. Most people reference incidents and events onstate maintained highways by either:

• Referencing the route number for Interstate highways, or

• Referencing the route number or street name for US highways, or

• Referencing the street name for County highways and municipal highways

Referencing is usually done as a distance from a particular intersection or majorstructure. Such as, 300 feet West of Elm Street on US 40.



Recommendation

To make the strategic data more useable by more of the general SHA Staff andthe general public, other referencing systems need to be incorporated andmaintained within the Network maps. This should include the street name whereavailable, and the crossing street names.

There are other data elements that may be appropriate to add to the networkmaps include ramps. Ramps are programmed to be added to the network mapsin the near future. Ramps are a necessity when the end user is trying to buildrouting maps for emergency management, heavy-weight trucks, or hazardousmaterial trucks. Because the network maps currently lack ramps, inaccuraterouting of these types of vehicles would take place.

SHA has made a choice to utilize Oracle for all databases that are used by morethan one department. SHA has also designated Access the choice of databasethat can be utilized instead of Oracle if the database is only departmental. Bothof these choices appear to be valid for the next few years. County, route, andmilepost should still be used as the common key between the databases, but thiskey should be supplemented by additional information on the Digital Maps suchthat users can access the data via a more common street name and intersectionmethodology. This information may be available for extraction from the Masterfile maintained by HISD.


The hardware necessary for GIS use is and most likely will continue to be Intelbased personal computers. There is trend in the industry that Intel will beexpanding its market by incorporating Intel microprocessors in other devicesbesides personal computers such as communication devices. This trend shouldnot affect the current and growing number of personal computers with IntelCPU’s. The other trend is the growth of the number of Intel based servers.SHA has already made a commitment to Intel based servers, so this trend shouldnot affect the current course of SHA computer procurement.

The primary operating system used by SHA for its Personal Workstation isWindows NT. It would appear that future revisions of Windows NT shouldcontinue to be the operating system of choice for SHA.

The primary operating systems for SHA servers are Windows NT Server andNovell Netware. These operating systems are well developed and should still beused to distribute and maintain data throughout SHA.

The GIS vendor of choice is currently ESRI. There appears to be no reason toswitch from ESRI at this time. ERSI is still the leader in providing GIS tools to



state transportation agencies, and SHA has made a major investment in ESRIproducts and training over the last three years. ESRI is a member of the OpenGIS consortium, so ERSI should be in conformance with any new policies thatdevelop from the consortium.

The GIS team should consider standardizing the software used to build GISapplications. For client-server application Visual Basic or Power Builder inconjunction with Map Objects should be considered. For WEB baseddevelopment ARC IMS should be considered.

Recommendation

The GIS Team should continue to develop and refine the standards the hardwareand software used for GIS throughout SHA. This will ensure future compatibilityand maintainability. Written hardware and software standards should bedeveloped for GIS WEB development and client server application development.Although hardware is not as critical to standardize as software tools, it will helpthe maintainability if some standards exist.

Communications Network

SHA has upgraded much of the communications network between offices and tothe shops. This network is planned for continued upgrades in the next five years.Changes expected by the end of 1999 include the improvement of theconnections to District 3, District 4, Headquarters, and the State OperationsCenter to Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocol. This upgrade shouldspeed the transfer of data between these offices and the rest of the SHAnetwork. As the interchange of data between the various offices continues evenmore upgrades may be required. These upgrades will need to be coordinatedwith new application distribution so that applications respond at acceptablespeeds. One option to consider is the combined use of both the Intranet andlocal servers to communicate data. The Intranet could be used to transmit someof the smaller datasets while the local district office servers (or CD-ROMs) wouldstore and serve the larger datasets.

Any new application development must be closely coordinated with the currentnetwork configuration, expected upgrade of the network, and level of use toassure that the application has sufficient band-width to operate at a reasonableresponse speed. The process for this type of coordination is not clear. Andshould be developed and published.

One of the major and rapidly growing uses of the communications network isboth Intranet and Internet communications traffic. In addition, 96% of all of theindividuals interviewed would like a GIS browser application for viewing andmanipulating GIS data. Because of the potential impact of both the Intranet and



the Internet on the communications network and the way SHA is doing, andmight do, business, we have broken the Intranet and Internet into separate itemsin the next sections.

The other area of communications network that is expected to grow is the area ofwireless transmission of data. Wireless modems exist that can instantly relaydata from laptop computers in the field, to servers located in the office. Wirelessmodems currently operate at 14.4 BPS which may not be sufficient fortransmission of large GIS maps, but future improvements in wireless modemspeeds, could allow field crew to tie directly to a GIS database for read access orupdate.

Recommendation

The speed and access to the communications network is critical to the successof any GIS application whether it is a client-server application or a WEB basedapplication. Written policies and procedures need to be developed to assure thatnew applications will have sufficient network band-width to operate properly. At aminimum, all new applications should be tested at different points on the networkat different times of the day to assure that they operate properly. Band-widthestimates should be made available to GIS application developers so thatapplications can be designed with any limitation of the band-width in mind.

Wireless communication is becoming more prevalent and written policies andprocedures for connecting to and handling wireless communication should bedeveloped. The GIS Team needs to be involved in the development of both therecommended policies and procedures as well as development activities,because the GIS Team will be responsible for user support of many of theapplications developed.

Intranet

The SHA Intranet is utilized daily by many of the employees at SHA to locateneeded information about SHA. There is a certain level of ease of use gainedwhen placing information on an Intranet (or Internet) server. All the informationcan be viewed by executing the network browser. SHA has chosen tostandardize on Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. Once a user hasfamiliarized him or her self with the browser, it is relatively easy for the user toopen many different kinds of WEB based applications because the generalmethodology for access is the same. Specific training on the functionality ofapplication is needed, but the navigation should be similar.

Currently at SHA, the only WEB map site is the ‘Digital Print Room’ where someSHA maps can be displayed and printed. This map site does not have GIS



capability embedded within it. Until recently, there was really no software thatallowed an agency to publish GIS maps on its Intranet or Internet. This haschanged and most GIS vendors, including ESRI have at least one form of MapServer. In the case of ESRI, it supplies ArcView IMS, MapObjects IMS, and justrecently ARC IMS. The use of a map server is something that SHA shouldstrongly consider as a future addition to the SHA Intranet. Written standards forWEB based GIS must first be developed to best deploy applications and assurethat sufficient band-width exists on the network.

There are several ways that maps and the information behind the maps can beimplemented at SHA. One way is to post all map information on the existingIntranet server and to place the GIS map server software on the same machine.Another approach is to place the map server software on another server. A thirdway is to have a server that is known as a catalogue server that ‘routes’ requeststo one or more map or database servers. Possible GIS architectures wereshown in the Technical Architecture section of this document. A standardtechnical architecture should be developed and adopted.

Recommendation

The GIS team needs to create written policies and procedures for utilizing GIS onthe SHA Intranet. This should include the GIS map server selected, ifconnections to databases will be allowed, assessment of the necessary band-width to support applications, and if a catalogue server should be used.

Internet

Nearly all of the individuals interviewed (78%) have Internet capability at thistime. Because the type of individuals interviewed tended to be mostly mid-levelmanagers or higher, the percentage of individuals in SHA as a whole whocurrently have access to the Internet is much less than 78%. An estimated 20%of all SHA employees have Internet access. This access is allowed through thecombination of a username and password once inside the WEB browser.

However, at this time there are no GIS applications located on the SHA WEBsite. Publishing maps and information located on maps could be the mostsignificant development of public outreach that SHA has ever had. TrafficVolume maps are available on the WEB site, but these have no GIS capabilitiesto query for additional information. A GIS map server that could publish SQLsearchable maps is something SHA should strongly consider. For example,these SQL searchable maps would reduce the need for staff to answer calls fromthe public for historical AADT’s, or the status of projects.

A complicating factor in setting up a GIS map server on SHA’s WEB site is thatthere is no written policy existing for establishing the server. The WEB serveralso requires someone to maintain and upgrade the data displayed on the



Internet site. We recommend that a new position be added to the GIS Team tomonitor and maintain both the Internet and the Intranet map servers. Thisposition may have to be a contract position due to hiring limitations

Recommendation

There are no written SHA standards that can be adhered to when displaying GISdata over the Internet or Intranet. These standards should be created by the GISTeam. The GIS team must also work closely with the IS committee to assure theGIS standards fits with the IS standards established for WEB applications. TheGIS technology and IS technology are merging and the GIS policy needs to beincorporated within the SHA IS technology. An additional position shouldcreated within the GIS Team to handle Intranet and Internet issues. Thisposition’s responsibilities will be defined in the next major section of this report.This position may have to be filled by a contractor due to hiring limitations.

Summary and Recommendation

Many of the elements that are required to meet the target technical architectureare already in place, operational, and are being maintained in a manner that willmeet the needs of future GIS growth. As a long term strategic direction, SHAshould acknowledge that WEB based GIS has the ability to provide GIS data tomany more users easier than any other GIS architecture. WEB GIS will play animportant part of future SHA GIS deployment. SHA should also recognize thatthe field use of GIS is available and that SHA needs to provide procedures toassure that it is implemented properly. With this longer-term strategy in mind werecommend that the short-term strategy be developed to support the long-termstrategy. The short-term strategic recommendations are defined below.

1) SHA needs to acknowledge that there are two types of users for enterpriseGIS applications. The first type of user is the ‘power user’ who understandthe databases that they are working with and needs to complete complexqueries of the databases. The second type of user is the ‘casual user’ whodoes not use GIS frequently and needs an easy to use interface to solve non-complex problems. Power users should have applications developed usingthe client-server architecture, while casual users should have applicationsdeveloped using WEB based GIS architecture. WEB based GIS will makeapplication maintenance easier and should reduce the training time.

2) To make the enterprise database data more useable by the general SHA staffand the general public, other referencing systems need to be incorporatedand maintained within the Network maps. This should include the streetname where available, and the crossing street names. The network maps



need to be upgraded to contain the information about the name of the streetand have a database reference to the local crossing streets so thatapplications can be written that allow the user to enter an intersection (orintersections) and a street name to establish a location for investigation. Theprogram to add ramps leading on and off the controlled access highways tothe Network maps should be initiated.

3) Expansion of the communications policy to include wireless communications.Current GIS policy does not have any considerations for non-SHA LAN basedaccess to the GIS. Outside or dial-in access is generally prohibited. Wirelesscommunication is a rapidly developing technology, not only tying in laptops inthe field with databases in the office, but also to communicate amongcomputers in an office network. Wireless technology is now being utilized todisplay GIS information on laptops in the field and can be set up to allowupdates to databases in the office directly from the field laptops. Some policymust be developed by SHA to control the deployment (if any) of wireless GIS.This policy should also recommend how new applications, developed utilizingthe wireless technology, would be implemented.

4) The GIS Team should continue to refine and develop standards for thehardware and software used for developing and deploying GIS at SHA.Specifically, written hardware and software specifications should bedeveloped for GIS WEB development including the use of a Map server,catalogue server, and software tools.

5) Written Intranet Policy Amendments to include GIS need to be developed

Current SHA Intranet policy does not really address the needs of placingGIS information on the Intranet WEB site. This policy needs to bedeveloped and should include policy about:

• Use of a map server• Use of a catalogue server• Direct access to the enterprise database or private databases• Who is responsible for maintaining map server and/or catalogue server• Update process for server(s)• Access limitations (if any)• Application tools• Thin versus Thick client• What data should be available• Should we allow this data to be downloaded

6) Written Internet GIS Policy needs to be defined (same as Intranet).

The long-term strategy of GIS at SHA must recognize that GIS should be madeavailable to many more users, both internally and externally, in order to best



support information dissemination and enhance SHA business processes. Inorder to support these new users, the items listed above must first be initiatedand completed to support the long-term strategy.



IV Organization, Staffing, and Training

Introduction

The original GIS strategic plan described a change in the organization thatestablished the GIS Team lead by a GIS Coordinator. This Team was to providedirection to SHA for all its GIS activities. This plan has reviewed the result of thatorganizational change and will discuss modifications that need to be made to theorganization in the future.

Management

The current organization of a GIS Coordinator that leads the GIS Team appearsto be working correctly. The GIS Coordinator is in a visible enough positionwithin the SHA organization such that new ideas can be communicated rapidly tothe proper individuals. The GIS Coordinator also sits on the statewide MarylandState GIS Committee (MSGIC), a coordinating entity of all GIS activity with inMaryland State government. The GIS Coordinator attends the MSGIC meetingsas the representative for MDOT not just SHA, because SHA’s GIS initiatives aresignificantly more advanced than most other MDOT agencies. Because the GISCoordinator is heavily involved in many different activities, an Assistant GISCoordinator title should be added to one of the existing staff positions within theGIS Team. The Assistant GIS Coordinator could then substitute for the GISCoordinator, when needed, and provide a second point of contact to the GISTeam.

Support Staff

The Database Administrator and the GIS Help desk positions are currently listedas strategic positions that must be maintained to support the GIS activities ofSHA. The other three positions support the internal needs of SHA. With therecognition by SHA that GIS will become used by more and more individualsinside of SHA and external visitors to SHA’s WEB site, we suggest that a positionbe added to the Team. This position would be to maintain the map serversproposed for the Intranet and Internet sites. This position should reside with theGIS Team because just as the database administrator for the enterprisedatabase resides with the Team, the GIS Intranet/Internet administrator needssimilar direction and chain of command. This new position may have to be filledusing contractor support due to limitations on hiring. The GIS Intranet/Internetadministrator position also allows the GIS Team Coordinator to coordinate WEBbased GIS with the MSGIC committee and the rest of MDOT.



Training

Training to SHA in the GIS Data Viewer is currently provided by the GIS Teamwith one round of training completed. Based on the survey completed as part ofthis effort it was noted that the training provided by the SHA GIS Team was verygood and very well received, but it was suggested that additional training (oranother round of the same training) be provided about six months from now. Asimilar pattern to user learning was found in the deployment of the TrafficMonitoring System where two rounds of training have been completed. Bydelaying the second round of training six months, it gives the users time to try outthe application. In that time period, users will learn some portions of theapplication extremely well, while other portions will go unused. The secondround of training gives the users a chance to ask ‘educated’ questions that wouldnot have been apparent to them during the initial training. This second round oftraining also solidifies concepts, ideas, and short-cuts that the first round oftraining could not cover.

Compatibility and Impact with other agencies

The GIS Team Coordinator is the key person and focal point for communicationwith other state agencies. The Coordinator should continue to provide thiscoordination for MDOT and the MSGIC Committee. With the industry widemovement to Browser based GIS, SHA data will become more and moreaccessible to other Maryland agencies and the general public. As other agenciesbecome more familiar with the types of GIS information that SHA has publishedon its WEB site, additional coordination may be required as those agencies alsopublish their own information. This may ultimately lead to changes in theresponsibilities and functions of the MSGIC committee. What those changesmay be is difficult to determine, but committee responsibilities will evolve. TheGIS Team Coordinator should also become aware of NSGIC activities. As GISevolves and data from other states becomes more accessible, the ideas and datathese other states and federal government have available may become useful toSHA and MDOT activities.

Summary and Recommendations

The 1994 GIS strategic plan identified the need for a GIS Team under theHighway information Services Division of SHA. This Team has been created andhas been successful in not only continuing the implementation of GIS withinSHA, but also for initiating new GIS activities within the agency. The staffingpositions of Coordinator, Database manager, Help desk assistant,Programmer/Analyst, GPS/GIS Specialist , and Production Specialist aresupporting the agency wide GIS initiatives well. However, one of the existingstaff positions should take on the title of Assistant GIS Team Coordinator toassist in the GIS Coordinator duties.



As GIS expands to the SHA staff and the general public via the Intranet andInternet, increased responsibility will fall on the GIS Team. We recommend thata new position be established that would manage the GIS map server andcatalogue server. This position may need to be filled by a contractor due tohiring limitations. The individual for this position would perform the followingduties.

• Install and maintain the GIS map server on the internet and intranet sites• Add additional map databases• Solve help questions related to the map servers• Help create new policy as needed for GIS WEB activities• Coordinate all GIS WEB development• Coordinate GIS WEB development with Communications Network band-width• Coordinate communications between GIS WEB server and GIS enterprise

database

The GIS Team should programmatically budget and schedule two trainingsessions a year for all designated SHA staff for the GIS Data Viewer orsubsequent GIS applications distributed by the GIS Team. The two trainingsessions a year would allow individuals who had been trained to take additionaltraining to enhance their learning.

The GIS Team coordinator should continue to coordinate activities at the MSGICcommittee.



V Applications

Introduction

The future use of GIS within SHA is highly dependent upon the development anduse of GIS applications. Our survey reviewed a number of applications thatusers thought useful. The results of that survey are listed in this section.

Potential GIS Applications

These applications were deemed most required by the persons interviewed. Wehave assembled the findings by SHA office. With the increased GIS knowledgebase among existing SHA GIS users and the increased interest among others atSHA, we must revisit the list of potential applications and designate additionalapplications for deployment. Using the interview as a baseline we haveestablished that the following applications are most popular among the differentSHA agencies. The numbers in parentheses are the percentages of individualsinterviewed at that office that selected the application versus the number ofindividuals interviewed in that office.

SHA Headquarters

• Contract Index – Show all locations of all existing contracts, symbolized bydate with annotated contract number. (57%)

• CTP Project Location Map – Select and map locations of CTP projects bycounty, District, type of project, set… (48%)

• Data Inventory Map – Display areas where aerial photography or projectmapping is available. (39%)

• Utility Map – Show locations of SHA and non-SHA utilities by a user-definedarea. (43%)

• Construction Site Presentation Map – Sites by County or District. (30%)

Office of Maintenance and Office of Traffic & Safety

• Traffic Control Device Design Decision Support – Maps showing the areaswhere signals have been requested with Accident, Pavement and CTPproject information. (44%)

• Highway Feature Inventory Map – Map inventory data in the Highway FeatureInventory. (44%)


• Construction Site Map for Inspection Report – Create a map for theInspector’s report. (33%)



• Signal Summary Report – Query and produce a report summarizing signalindex attribute fields by area, District, County or Municipal boundaries. (33%)

• Project Design Decision Support – Create a map of the project area. (33%)• Utility Map – Show locations of SHA and non-SHA utilities by a user-defined

area. (33%)

Office of Materials & Research


• Asset Management Decision Support – An application to overlay all relevantmaintenance data on one map for a user defined area. (67%)

• Pavement and AADT Query – Create an optimization model to target roadsfor resurfacing. (50%)

• Construction Site Presentation Map – Sites by County or District. (33%)• Data Inventory Map – Display areas where aerial photography or project

mapping is available. (33%)• Hydrology Analyst – Select area of interest by county, route, watershed name

and stream classification, then show land use, zoning, soil maps andtopography. (33%)

• Pavement Management Decision Support – Show all programmed work andall deficient pavement and road inventory information. (33%)

• Utility Map – Show locations of SHA and non-SHA utilities by a user-definedarea. (33%)

District Offices

• Construction Site Presentation Map – Sites by County or District. (67%)• Pavement and AADT Query – Create an optimization model to target roads

for resurfacing. (67%)• CTP Project Location Map – Select and map locations of CTP projects by

county, District, type of project, set… (50%)• Highway Feature Inventory Map – Map inventory data in the Highway Feature

Inventory. (50%)• Pavement Management Decision Support – Show all programmed work and

all deficient pavement and road inventory information. (50%)

MDOT

• Highway Needs Inventory Map – Map the Projects in the Inventory selectedby the user. (80%)

• Legislative Issue Decision Support Map – Provide high level SHA, censusdata, political boundaries, AADT from HPMS and CTP projects along withfinancial data. (80%)

• Construction Site Presentation Map – Sites by County or District. (40%)



• Access Permit Decision Support – Locations of current and proposed accesspoints to State Roads with the data to analyze these locations. (40%)

• Asset Management Decision Support – An application to overlay all relevantmaintenance data on one map for a user defined area. (40%)

• CTP Project Location Map – Select and map locations of CTP projects bycounty, District, type of project, set… (40%)

• Data Inventory Map – Display areas where aerial photography or projectmapping is available. (40%)

• Tour Maps – Create presentation maps for the CTP statewide tour. (40%)

Summary of all individuals interviewed

The numbers in parentheses are the percentage of individuals interviewed thatselected the application versus the number of individuals interviewed. The totalis a summary of all the findings for all offices.


• Construction Site Presentation Map – Sites by County or District. (33%)• Data Inventory Map – Display areas where aerial photography or project

mapping is available. (31%)• Utility Map – Show locations of SHA and non-SHA utilities by a user-defined

area. (31%)• CTP Project Location Map – Select and map locations of CTP projects by

county, District, type of project, set… (27%)

Summary

The five applications listed above were applications that at least a quarter of SHAstaff interviewed stated they thought would be useful applications for future GISapplication development. We recommend that these five applications beinvestigated further for possible feasibility, creation and deployment. Each of thefive applications should be evaluated as either a client-server application or aWEB based application. The GIS Team should investigate developing one of thefive as a WEB based prototype to help define and the policies and procedures forWEB based development.



VI Summary of Recommendations

Overview of Plan

This plan has reviewed the existing GIS environment at SHA and also reviewedwhat the impacts of current and future GIS technology would be to the technicalarchitecture of GIS as implemented at SHA. It has also reviewed the impact ofthis architecture on the Organization needed to support GIS. It has alsoidentified the existing GIS applications and compiled a list of user proposedapplications. From this review and analysis a series of recommendations havebeen generated to allow for the continued growth and use of GIS within SHA.These recommendations are summarized in this section. The section number, inparenthesis at the end of each recommendation refer the reader to the sectionwhere the recommendation was made. The reader can refer to that section for amore detailed explanation of the recommendation.

Summary of recommendations

1) SHA needs to acknowledge that there are two types of users for enterpriseGIS applications. The first type of user is the ‘power user’ who understandsthe databases that they are working with and has a need to completecomplex queries of the databases. The second type of user is the ‘casualuser’ who does not use GIS frequently and needs an easy to use interface tosolve non-complex problems. (Section III)

2) To make the data more useable by the more general SHA Staff and thegeneral public, other referencing systems need to be incorporated andmaintained within the Network maps. The program to add ramps leading onand off the controlled access highways to the Network maps should beinitiated. (Section III).

3) The current external communications policy to connect the enterprisedatabase needs to be expanded to include wireless communications.(Section III)

4) The GIS Team should continue to refine and develop standards for thehardware and software used for developing and deploying GIS at SHA. Thisshould include new written specifications for GIS WEB applications.(Section III)

5) Intranet Policy amendments to include GIS need to be developed.(Section III)

6) Internet GIS Policy needs to be defined. (Section III)



7) One of the existing staff positions should take on the title of Assistant GISTeam Coordinator to assist in the GIS Coordinator duties. (Section IV)

8) As GIS expands to the SHA staff and the general public via the Intranet andInternet, increased responsibility will fall on the GIS Team. We recommendthat a new position be established that would manage the GIS map serverand catalogue server (Section IV)

9) The GIS Team should programmatically budget and schedule two trainingsessions a year for all designated SHA staff for the GIS Data Viewer orsubsequent GIS applications distributed by the GIS Team. (Section IV)

10)The GIS Team coordinator should continue to coordinate activities at theMSGIC committee and become familiar with NSGIC activities. (Section IV)

11)There are five applications that at least a quarter of SHA staff interviewedstated they thought would be useful applications for future GIS applicationdevelopment. We recommend that these five applications be investigatedfurther for feasibility, creation and deployment as either client-server or WEBbased applications. A prototype WEB based application should bedeveloped. (Section IV)



VII Implementation Plan

Overview

The recommendations for continued GIS implementation were made in theproceeding section. In this section the recommendations will be reviewed and anOrder of Implementation be proposed. This order of implementation will allowSHA to implement the recommendations in a fashion that minimizes extra costsby building upon the existing implementation in a logical progression.

Order of Implementation – Short Term Initiatives

Technical

The first order of business for SHA is to develop a detailed Intranet and Internetpolicy with regard to the GIS. There are several areas with regard to the WEBpolicy that require attention:

1) Define the Intranet and Internet architecture. Will there be one server orseparate map and catalogue servers?

2) Who is responsible for maintaining the GIS WEB server?3) Who will be the Publisher for the GIS WEB server?4) Will external users be able to query from the WEB site through the firewall to

the enterprise database or other databases?5) What data should be made available?6) Who should have access to that data? Public? Other agencies?7) What tools should be used to support this? Map Object IMS? Arc IMS?8) Combine GIS WEB standards with SHA IS standards

The second order of business is to review the network maps and upgrade thenetwork maps so that the maps can be referenced by street names andintersecting streets. Once the methodology for these additions are developedthe network maps should be upgraded with the additional information.

The third order of business is to recognize that there are two types of enterpriseusers. The first type is ‘power user’ and the second type is ‘casual user’. Anyapplication development should be focused to one or the other type of user.

The fourth order of business is to begin to develop, at a minimum as a prototype,some of the top applications listed in the user survey. One of these applicationsshould be WEB based.



Organizational and Training

In conjunction with the development of the GIS Intranet and Internet WEB sites,we recommend that an additional strategic position be created in the GIS Team.This position would be the publisher for the map server for the Intranet andInternet WEB sites. This person would have to work closely with the currentWebmasters of both sites to assure that the sites are managed properly. If thisperson cannot be hired, the position should be contractor staffed.

One of the existing GIS Team members should carry the additional title ofAssistant GIS Team Coordinator to be a backup for the GIS Team Coordinator.

A cyclical GIS Training program should be established that provides training andretraining to all GIS users every six months. Other applications that utilize GISshould incorporate into their deployment at least one training and then a secondretraining six months later.

Longer Term Initiatives

The longer-term initiatives for GIS are those initiatives that should beprogrammed for implementation as the results of the short-term initiatives areknown.

The first longer-term initiative is the creation of written procedures and policiesfor coordinated development of GIS applications and Network band-width.These procedures and policies would assure that there is sufficient networkband-width so that any GIS application developed responds at acceptablespeeds in all projected deployment locations. The prototype GIS WEBapplication developed in the short–term initiatives can be utilized as a test casefor developing these written procedures.

The second longer-term initiative for GIS is to develop procedures and policiesfor incorporating wireless communicated information into and out of theenterprise database or other private database. This initiative will have to becompleted in conjunction with the Information Technology Division.



Appendices



Appendix A – Survey Form



Appendix B – Literature/Material Review

The following documents and materials were reviewed in the preparation of thisreport:

Documents

GIS Strategic Plan 1994, Maryland State Highway Administration, 1994

Enterprise GIS Application Design Document, Maryland State HighwayAdministration, 1997

Enterprise GIS Requirements Analysis Report, Maryland State HighwayAdministration, Second Draft, 1998

SHA Computer Architecture, Standards for Information Technology, MarylandDepartment of Transportation

SHA Data Viewer, Beta Training Manual, Maryland State HighwayAdministration, 1998

GIS Implementation Plan, Maryland State Highway Administration, 1994

“Five Easy Pieces.” Online. Internet. 20 March 1999. Availablehttp://www.socrates.com

“SHA Mission.” Online. Internet. 19 March 1999. Availablehttp://www.sha.state.md.us

“WEB Mapping Technology Testbed.” Online. Internet. 21 March 1999. Availablehttp://www.open.gis.org

Online. Internet. 22 March 1999. Available http://www.upen.edu

“Internet Server API Overview.” Online. Internet. 23 March 1999. Availablehttp://www.microsoft.com

“MapObjects IMS.” Online. Internet. 24 March 1999. Availablehttp://www.esri.com



Software

SHA Data Viewer

Databases

Network maps, Grid Maps, County Maps



Appendix C - Staff Interviews

GIS Strategic Plan · Administration’ s (SHA) GIS Strategic Plan. This new plan will update the...

Documents

Transcript of GIS Strategic Plan · Administration’ s (SHA) GIS Strategic Plan. This new plan will update the...