CURRENT AND PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The Texas Legislature passed a law in 2005 to centralize broad information technology (IT) purchasing authority with an oversight state agency, the Department of Information Resources (DIR). Under provisions in the new law, DIR will establish one or more consolidated data centers. Operational, systems programming, and systems administration support were transferred to an outsourced service provider effective April 1, 2007 for the largest 27 agencies, including TxDOT. IBM was selected as the service provider and will be responsible for providing hardware, system software, and associated maintenance. An initial migration has begun and the migration of processing on Texas agencies’ mainframe, midrange, and Intel-based servers to a consolidated infrastructure in the data centers will continue during the next two years.
INFRASTRUCTURE (DESKTOP, NETWORKING, SERVER/STORAGE/ETC.)
TxDOT’s current server infrastructure includes an IBM mainframe, six primary p-Series AIX servers, 503 Windows servers, and 286 Novell servers. The department supports more than 15,500 users, 15,300 workstations and 843 locations. The mainframe and two AIX servers are located at the Texas State Data Center in San Angelo, Texas. All other servers are located in the TxDOT data center in Austin and in District and Area offices throughout the state.
TxDOT currently uses Windows Server 2000 and 2003 and the workstations use Windows XP. TxDOT will begin evaluating Windows Vista this summer, but has no immediate plans to implement the OS.
TxDOT supports several database environments. ADABAS is heavily used to support legacy Management Information Systems (MIS) applications on the IBM Mainframe. Oracle is used on AIX servers for GIS and spatial data applications and Sybase is also used on AIX for the PeopleSoft application. MS SQL is used to support in-house developed applications and several purchased business applications. Applications using Sybase are being migrated to MS SQL or Oracle.
NEW SYSTEMS (JUST COMPLETED, IN PROGRESS, OR PREPARING TO START)
MicroStation - TxDOT has completed the migration to V8 (2004 Edition) with the exception of a single legacy application which is scheduled to be ported within the next few months. All workstations used in the development of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates have successfully transitioned to V8. Consultant firms engaged in TxDOT work continue to use V7 until the completion of active projects. MicroStation (08.05.02.35), Descartes (08.05.02.25), and Iplot (8.5) have all proved to be stable platforms. TxDOT is now moving towards SELECTserver XM and further evaluations of the XM product line.
GEOPAK - TxDOT has completed its migration to GEOPAK 2004 Edition (08.05.02.37). TxDOT uses the Road, Drainage, Site, and Survey modules and this version has been very stable thus far. We are presently evaluating GEOPAK 8.8 (08.08.02.40) and will begin looking at XM as products become available.
GPS - TxDOT currently has installed and implemented 85 GPS base stations including 56 NGS recognized CORS sites. The stations are all networked and centrally managed from Austin. A subset of the network includes virtual reference stations. TxDOT has a goal of expanding the network to provide coverage for surveying and construction applications along the IH 35 and IH 69 Trans-Texas Corridors. It is estimated that TxDOT will have 100 plus operational stations by the end of this year.
Survey Data Management Systems (SDMS) - TxDOT is currently using SDMS 3.5 with DOS collectors and version 4.3.1 with Windows CE collectors. The standard format for field data collection submitted is the SDMS format. TxDOT is also using SDMS processor (version 1.4.8) which includes graphical chain editing and XML import/export features.
CAiCE - TxDOT is currently using CAiCE Visual Transportation V10 SP6 for surveying analysis. TxDOT is looking at the AASHTOWare SDMS Processor as a potential replacement for CAiCE.
GIS - TxDOT has implemented Main Street Texas which is a web-enabled, GIS based information portal. The current implementation includes applications for bridge inventory and inspection, right of way mapping, survey monumentation, NGS control, and recycled roadway materials. In addition, TxDOT is testing integration of pavement management mapping applications, Site Manager reports, HCRS links, airport sites, dynamic message signs, and construction projects applications through Main Street Texas.
Highway Conditions Reporting System – This is a GIS-based Internet application to report and visually display locations of highway conditions including construction sites, bridge closings, flooding, ice/snow, contraflow lanes and hurricane evacuations routes. Recently an XML extract application has been built to query the HCRS database to generate XML files that are incorporated in an Interative Voice Response system for the public.
LRFD / STD Precast Prestressed Concrete Girder Design and Analysis Program (PSTRS-LRFD) - This project will provide TxDOT bridge engineers and consultants with prestressed concrete bridge girder design and analysis software that is compliant with the AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specifications and with TxDOT design, analysis and construction policies. TxDOT has hired a contractor and is working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in a joint development effort to modify PGSuper, an open source program developed by WSDOT, to include the additional functionality required by TxDOT. The upgraded program will be implemented to replace TxDOT's current legacy application, PSTRS14. The completion date is December 2008.
SiteManager - TxDOT has implemented SiteManager statewide in all districts and in May 2007 the production system will be upgraded to SiteManager 3.7b. Version 3.7b includes several upgrades for materials management and to improve performance. The 3.7b upgrade requires an upgrade to Oracle 10g Release 2. We are currently using Oracle 10g Release 1.
Decision Support System (DSS) – DSS 6.6b is currently being tested while existing DSS 5 data is being converted from SAS to Oracle. TxDOT has more than twenty years worth of construction contract data that needs to be converted and stored in the DSS 6.6b database. The new version of DSS will have a direct interface from SiteManager 3.7b and will serve as a data warehouse for TxDOT construction information.
Electronic Bid System (EBS) - The proposed system will facilitate the electronic submission of construction and maintenance contract bids. Submitted bids are secured in a third party electronic vault and will only be accessible by TxDOT after the bid closing date. The estimated completion date is the fourth quarter of 2008.
Electronic Project Records System (EPRS) – EPRS will allow contractors and sub-contractors to securely submit payrolls over the internet to a TxDOT database. The TxDOT database will be used to provide discrepancy reports, to build the wage rate surveys, and to comply with FHWA reporting requirements. TxDOT will begin implementing phase I, contractor payrolls, soon and will partner with the Associated General Contractors of Texas to schedule regional training in several locations throughout Texas over the spring and summer of 2007.
PONTIS - TxDOT is PowerBuilder front-end for the AASHTOWare PONTIS application. This front-end interface to PONTIS was developed to support TxDOT requirements and to minimize customization with the proprietary development environment of the PONTIS application. The scheduled implementation date for the client-server version of PONTIS, including TxDOT customizations, is August 2007.
Bridge Management Information System (BMIS) - This project includes migrating existing National Bridge Inventory (NBI) data from a mainframe database to a client/server database; storing more elemental inspection data; implementing the Maintenance and Inspection modules of PONTIS; developing an automated structure log; and establishing links between the client/server database and the end users in the districts and divisions. The system went into production in June 2006.
Storm Water Management System (SWMS) – This project will implement a statewide storm water management system which will be used by TxDOT staff and designated consultants to monitor, track and test storm water runoff and any discharge of pollutants that might encroach on or near department rights-of-way. The system will track data through a GPS data collection application and store the data in a web-based geographical database solution. The scheduled implementation date for SWMS is August 2007.
Texas Permit Routing Optimization System (TxPROS) - This project will acquire and integrate a software component into TxDOT’s existing Central Permit System (CPS) to provide true automated routing for the transport of oversize and overweight loads. The program will provide customers with a web-based, fully self-service system that is compatible with TxDOT’s base GIS and bridge data and will include required parameters such as structure height, lane width, load ratings, one-way attributes, access roads, turn restrictions, and at-grade railroad crossings. The estimated completion date is August 2009.
Enterprise Document Technologies Implementation and Support Project (EDTIS) – This project will implement electronic document management technologies statewide in all TxDOT District and Division offices. The project is implementing FileNet Content Services, FileNet Image Services, Altien Document Manager (a web-based front-end), Kofax capture software and Adobe LiveCycle E-Forms software. In addition, the project is also defining enterprise policies, processes, and procedures, a standard enterprise access model and a publishing model to facilitate universal document sharing across TxDOT. Currently implementations are in progress in 15 District and 14 Division offices and the estimated completion date for all TxDOT offices is August 2009.
Budget Information System (BIS) - TxDOT purchased COGNOS commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software to develop a new Budget Information System (BIS) which includes both budget preparation and budget monitoring. Financial expenditures from a mainframe ADABAS database are sent on a daily basis to update a client/server database that allows end users in the districts and divisions to view five years worth of budget reports. Budget adjustments, additional funding requests and additional budget requests along with the corresponding approval of these requests, are automated components of this system.
Internet Enabling of the Texas International Registration Plan (IRPI) - This project will provide an integrated proprietary solution to include Internet enabling for apportioned registration transactions from one vendor providing support and maintenance for all automated IRP processing. Implementation, support and maintenance will include all current IRP transactions and TxDOT specific extensions for rental trailers, log loaders, 5-year token trailers, etc. The estimated completion date is August 2006.
Traffic Safety Grant Management System (TRF E-Grants) - This project will plan, develop, and implement an Internet-enabled electronic grants and contracts system. The system will be used to collect, process, and store all data and transactions related to processing and accounting for federal/state grants initially available through Traffic Safety. eGrants went live for grant application submission in January 2007. The remaining modules will be rolled out as completed.
Licensing, Administration, Consumer Affairs and Enforcement System (LACE) - This project will develop a new automated system and associated business applications to fulfill State mandates, service an increasing number of motor vehicle licensees, and provide the necessary tools, hardware, and software to accomplish these requirements in an efficient and comprehensive manner. The system, which is web-based and includes imaging and GIS technologies, is estimated to be completed in February 2008.
Registration and Title System – Special Plates Integration - The Special Plates Integration project will integrate the Special Plates System (SPS) into the Registration and Title System. This project will allow one-step processing of all new orders and renewals of special plates through RTS Point of Sale workstations or over the Internet and provide special plate manufacturing through RTS. The project is underway and is scheduled for completed in 2008.
Internet Filtering – TxDOT evaluated products for internet filtering and reporting software and is currently being implementing Bluecoat.
Data Directory Synchronization – TxDOT has evaluated software solutions to provide a directory data synchronization solution and selected the Novell Identity Manager. The implementation is ongoing and will allow directory objects to be synchronized across different directories, including NDS, GroupWise, Active Directory, and PeopleSoft. This integration solution will reduce the administrative burden of multiple directories, increase the overall accuracy of data and enforce data precedence.
LISTServ System – This system is being developed to allow the public to subscribe and receive e-mails related to transportation topics.
RECORD OF EXCHANGE
TxDOT has obtained the PGSuper source code and documentation from the Washington DOT (WSDOT) and is currently working with WSDOT in an open source environment to modify the system to meet TxDOT requirements. TxDOT has also worked with several other states to share information and ideas on document management, MicroStation, GEOPAK, GIS, and AASHTOWare.
INFORMATION WANTED
TxDOT is interested in what other transportation agencies are implementing or considering in the area of Google Earth, Windows Live Mapping, ESRI ArcExplorer, application development tools, project management procedures, engineering document management, open source, Linux application and database servers, use of tablets and handheld devices for field data collection, wireless communication; use of Citrix and/or Terminal Server for running applications, and integration of legacy systems with new technologies.