Infrastructure
Desktop Systems
Since 2001, MassHighway has deployed all desktop and laptop PCs on a common platform, allowing us to remotely manage all networked PCs. The upgrade replaced over 50 different PC models with a common desktop machine capable of running administrative applications or engineering design programs. This has resulted in faster problem resolution from our helpdesk, as well as provided a high performance computing tool for the staff. The PCs are on a three year lease cycle, with an option to extend, purchase or lease new PCs. We are now researching the use of Citrix for our administrative staff, and those who do not require high-end PC resources. We expect this move to provide additional cost savings in hardware, network resources and client maintenance.
Networking
MassHighway recently completed the rewiring of the headquarters and several District offices to CAT6 standards, improving performance to the desktop, and replacing aging, damaged and error-prone infrastructure. The upgrades provide reliable 100Mb/s connectivity to the desktops, and are capable of handling future VoIP traffic. MassHighway has implemented a private microwave data network across the Commonwealth to connect District offices with Headquarters, and several remote depots. The increased bandwidth and high speed connection has helped eliminate the need for local servers and backup systems in remote offices. Additional bandwidth may be made available to other state agencies or private entities.
Servers/Storage
MassHighway is in the process of procuring a new SAN to provide live data storage, as well as disk to disk backup. This design significantly reduces our backup and file recovery times, while adding the ability to offload disk backups to tape at an alternate location. We have standardized on HP P Series Blade servers over the past three years, and are moving to the new C Series for future servers. This platform is reducing our server footprint, meeting file, application and database requirements, and provides a common maintenance platform.
CADD/GIS
MassHighway has almost completed the migration from Autocad 2002 and Autodesk Land Desktop 2002, to Autocad 2007 and Land Desktop 2007. We are also in the process of migrating to Autodesk Civil3D for future roadway projects. MassHighway is also scanning all highway layouts, construction drawings, and bridge drawings for use by department staff and contractors. Currently, approximately 250,000 images are available. Many of these are available on the Department’s website as well as approximately 19,000 geodetic survey control points.
APPLICATIONS
Under continual development is MassHighway’s “ProjectInfo” design and construction project and contract management system. This web-based application combines contract financial information with a project tracking system to build a timeline of the design and construction process. The timeline also provides reminders to project managers or field supervisors when permits are due to expire. A simplified mapping interface allows project managers to locate projects, writing to the same GIS database utilized by ArcGIS users. The increased availability of project locations allows GIS-based queries to be run within applications, and allows for a simplified interface to locate city, region, or political district projects through a map-based GUI. MassHighway is currently publishing all project data on our public website, updated daily from internal application data.
Continuing the progress with project management, MassHighway launched its Internet-based construction management application. The system exchanges data with internal applications to allow field staff to maintain construction project progress, traffic and detour conditions, financial tracking, daily reports and staff levels.
In an effort to make the best use of available construction funds, and produce more accurate construction estimates, MassHighway has published a construction project estimating application on its website. The system uses recent bid data, factored with project location and quantity ranges to allow a designer to select standard construction items and input quantities. The input is compared to recent projects of similar size, in the same District, and a weighted average bid price for the item is returned. While the application is intended to be used for MassHighway design projects, and the output is formatted to be imported to our bid processing system, it is available to any municipality and the general public to create project estimates using MassHighway standard bid items and costs.
MassHighway hosts an online overweight/oversize trucking permit application to expedite the approval process for trucking companies shipping intra/interstate loads, or transporting goods from Massachusetts seaports.
A phone based GPS tracking system completed its third winter of use in Snow and Ice Removal operations. The phones provided to private contractors allow direct communication, and let office staff to track their locations. Coupled with this system, is an application to allow field staff to track vendor time, produce biweekly invoices, and transfer billing data to a central accounting system for payment.