CURRENT AND PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Georgia Department of Transportation is much like many other Departments across the country where the use of Design Consultants is increasing consistently with a split currently of approximately 60% (Consultants) / 40% (Department). In an effort to better manage the Consultant acquisition and invoicing, the Department has recently implemented a new Consultant Management Information System (CMIS). The first version of the system was released in early spring 2006. CMIS is an application that will be used to manage all aspects of A & E Consultant contracts. The first version has modules for Consultant Prequalification, Contract Advertisement and Consultant Selection, and Invoice Processing. Future planned functions will include Consultant Evaluations, Electronic Invoicing, Project Management linkages for contract status and tracking, and Executive Management Reporting.


NEW SYSTEMS (JUST COMPLETED, IN PROGRESS, OR PREPARING TO START)

A.MicroStation V8/InRoads Implementation

The Department awarded an evaluation of Civil Design Software products to Bentley for their InRoads software in at the beginning of 2006. The project is currently underway as an implementation plan is being developed. The project scope also involves the migration to MicroStation V8 as well. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed at the end of 2007.


B.Utilities Redline

Recently, an implementation of Bentley’s Redline utility was completed for use by Utility companies across the state that submit their utility plans to the Department. This was done in an effort to provide free software to the utility companies so that they can produce their utility plans electronically in a format compatible with the Department’s CADD software. The CADD files produced by the companies can then be easily merged into the existing utility plans in design. Additionally, a web interface to the Department’s Utility CADD Standards was developed so that all submitted plans are in accordance with the Department’s CADD standards.

C.Statewide Geo-Referenced Imagery

The Department is in the process of re-projecting all statewide imagery to allow for usage within the design environment.

D.Survey Laser Scanning

The Department has evaluated the use of laser scanning in our survey efforts in order to increase efficiency and safety of personnel. A presentation was made to our Executive Management with a resulting approval for funding to pursue a Request for Proposal for one station initially. It is planned to have one station in each one of our District Offices.

E.Web Hosting of Contract Letting Plans

The Department’s Bidding and Letting process has been electronic for a few years now with only a minimal number of bids received in hard-copy format. However, the sale of plans to Contractors for bidding purposes has remained a paper process. Recently, an open contract was advertised and vendors have been submitting qualifications to provide electronic (web) access to plans for viewing and placing printing and shipping orders online. This new process will eliminate the time Department staff is spending assembling plan orders and shipping them to Contractors. It will also eliminate the need for a tremendous amount of storage space required for the plans. The new process will be phased in beginning in the August Letting and should be full-scale by the November Letting.

F.Electronic Plan Archival

The Department is in the process of transferring all of its hard-copy plans and microfilm cards to electronic format. Approximately 750,000 sheets of mylar have been scanned and approximately 2.5 million microfilm cards are in the process of being scanned, in addition to approximately 1.5 million sheets of As-Built Plans. The images are being saved into TIFF Group IV format. Additionally, metadata is being gathered for each image which will add “intelligence” to the plan sets for searching and querying. The plan archives will be accessible internally and externally through an easy to use web-enabled GIS application called Transportation Explorer (TREX).

RECORD OF EXCHANGE

As the Department has gone through an evaluation of Civil Design Software packages over the past year and is now involved in the implementation of a new software, the input of other HEEP states has been very much appreciated. Much input has been received from other states as far as their same evaluation processes, as well as their implementations. Additionally, other states are in the process of migrating to MicroStation V8 or have already done so. Input into this migration has also been invaluable.


INFORMATION REQUESTED
None at this time.