CURRENT AND PROPOSED ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Enterprise Document Management System (EDMS) – In September 1997, LaDOTD implemented an Electronic Document Management system in our Design Offices, later renamed to IBM Content Manager. In the last 10 years, the system has grown from archiving just design documents to archiving over 100 different documents types including; Construction, Crash Data, Right-of-Way permits, Railroad, Bridge Inspection, and Chief Engineer’s Orders. Over the past year, there were requests for 12 additional documents types. This system is viewed as LaDOTD’s Electronic Document Archive system. Over the next year, we will be looking at implementing On-Demand and Document Manager.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) – LaDOTD was selected as the pilot agency to implement a statewide financial system. LaDOTD is working with the Division of Administration (DOA) to develop an RFP. Work is expected to begin on the system in February 2008. Along with the ERP, LaDOTD is looking at developing a comprehensive Maintenance Management System to replace our legacy maintenance system (MOPS).
Electronic Signatures – LaDOTD is implementing Electronic Signatures in several processes using Silanis ApproveIt. Water Resource Permits and Federal Cost Submission were selected for the pilot applications. One of LaDOTD districts is reviewing how it can be used in their offices. The next phase of the project will involve requiring LaDOTD and consultant plan developers to electronically sign plan sets.
ISIS HR Payroll – LaDOTD was one of the last state agencies in Louisiana that runs its own payroll system. Effective June 18, 2007, LaDOTD will start using the State’s ISIS HR payroll system. Over 500 timekeepers will enter the payroll, and nightly LaDOTD will receive a file from the ISIS HR payroll system to update our Maintenance Management and Daily Journal systems.
ITS (Traffic Cameras) – LaDOTD has continued to improve ITS operations. We have announced the 511 system to the public and we are making better use of the system. Thirty-two new traffic cameras were made available over the past year on our internet page, and we are looking at Microsoft Virtual Earth to provide better mapping for the traffic cameras. We are looking at posting ADT on LaDOTD’s web site for the 60 traffic monitoring stations. ITS systems are currently being planned and installed in several other municipalities.
INFRASTRUCTURE (Desktop, Networking, Server/Storage/Etc.)
LaDOTD current infrastructure includes an IBM z/890-230 mainframe, an IBM 2105-F20 Enterprise Storage System, an IBM 3494 Automatic Tape Library, an IBM DS6800 Enterprise Storage System, an IBM, 3995 Optical Library, and over 150 Windows servers. The department supports more than 2,800 users and workstations. The department recently upgraded the standard for design desktop monitors to HP 24” widescreen, flat-panels. This was possible due to recent price drops for the larger monitors.
DESIGN AUTOMATION SYSTEMS (Just Completed, In Progress, or Preparing To Start)
Electronic Standards for Plans – LaDOTD released a comprehensive set of electronic standards for plans in early 2006, effective for all new projects in 2007. Standards for CADD tools, drafting workspaces, drafting symbology and data formats were established for both LaDOTD and consultant designers. The standards were established after an evaluation process involving LaDOTD and consultant technical experts, a multi-CAD consultant (Aarhus Associates) and Altiva Software.
CAD Drafting – LaDOTD uses Bentley MicroStation 2004 (08.05.02.55) and is evaluating MicroStation XM for possible implementation. LaDOTD consultants may use MicroStation 2004 or AutoCAD 2005-2006. AutoCAD files must be translated to MicroStation format.
Roadway Design – LaDOTD is in the process of transitioning from Bentley Inroads 2004 (8.5 – Service Pack 5) to Bentley Inroads XM (8.9). Consultants are required to run Inroads on the MicroStation platform. LaDOTD made this decision because of potential costs and inefficiencies required to maintain separate Inroads preferences for AutoCAD; and limited AutoCAD version support by Inroads, which would create problems for both consultants and LaDOTD support personnel.
CAD Standards – LaDOTD requires Altiva CADconform (6.2.07) for management of CAD drafting element attribute standards. CADconform includes a standards database, drafting menus, interactive standards checker, report manager, certification tool and user manager. With the name change to CADconform, AutoCAD support was added. CADconform automatically maps standards between MicroStation and AutoCAD. Altiva DeployCAD is used to deliver and set up MicroStation and AutoCAD workspaces for LaDOTD consultants. LaDOTD’s DeployCAD workspace downloads are hosted on Altiva’s web site, which makes incremental updates easier to administer.
Offline Indexing – Corporate Montage’s ControlCAD Indexer provides LaDOTD consultants with an offline tool to index plan deliverables. This tool efficiently guides users through the indexing process and prevents the XML index files from being saved unless indexing is complete. ControlCAD Indexer is also integrated with Bentley ProjectWise. This integration provides an option to edit ProjectWise attributes using the Indexer interface, which is an excellent quality control tool.
Creating and Verifying Consultant Submittals – Corporate Montage’s ControlCAD Submittal is used to create and verify the electronic plan submittals. This application enforces deliverable standards by checking MicroStation CAD drawings for the existence of associated PDF files, XML index files, reference files, digital signatures, CAD standards certification stamps and several other criteria.
ENGINEERING SUPPORT SYSTEMS (Just Completed, In Progress, or Preparing To Start)
ProjectWise – LaDOTD is in the process of implementing ProjectWise to manage in-process engineering design plan development and project collaboration. Bentley Systems consulting has been instrumental in helping LaDOTD to integrate ProjectWise into the DOTD environment and provide training for administrators and pilot project participants. Two major pilot projects have been used road test ProjectWise. The first was the I-10 Twin Span Rebuild, a mega project to replace the five-mile bridge across Lake Ponchartrain that was destroyed by hurricane Katrina. The second, which is still in progress, involves 35 projects spread over most design groups. LADOTD is also implementing a utility relocation initiative to assist utility companies in interacting with ProjectWise. LaDOTD is almost ready for full implementation of ProjectWise for all new projects. Full implementation will occur after upgrade to ProjectWise XM. The goal is to require ProjectWise for all active projects starting January 1, 2008.
ProjectWise-GIS Integration – ProjectWise Geospatial is being implemented to facilitate the exchange of information and data between the enterprise GIS data and ProjectWise. Users on the CAD side of DOTD will be able to take advantage of geospatial data. GIS users are able to use the ESRI Interoperability extensions to access and use CAD data.
Electronic Plans Distribution System – The primary function of this system is to facilitate efficient electronic plans publishing for LaDOTD internal staff and external contractors (potential bidders). Primary components used for this system include several tsaADVET Falcon tools. Falcon SVP web publishing went live for DOTD contractors in January 2006. The Falcon SVP Q&A Extension, which was designed by tsaADVET according to LaDOTD specifications, collects, manages and publishes contractor questions and LaDOTD answers regarding bid plans. This addition is expected to go live in late 2007. This system has been very effective and popular, with over 900 userids assigned to date.
SiteManager – LaDOTD has implemented SiteManager 3.7a statewide in all districts and will be upgrading the system when the enhancements (TMRs 9512, 9513, 9690) are released. LaDOTD has granted Contractors and Consultants access to the Site Manager system through CITRIX. We have made a major change in how we use the system. Instead of attaching documents in Site Manager we are placing the documents in our Document Management System and attaching the URLs in Site Manager.
SiteManager / Materials – LaDOTD is currently working with InfoTech to replace the mainframe Materials System (MATT) with Site Manager Material. Part of this project involves changing the Master Item List, developing new procedures, and defining the sampling and testing requirements.
Trns*port Pre-Construction and Estimating – LaDOTD is currently using mainframe systems to manage its bid and letting system, and Expedite and Bid Express for Electronic Bidding. We have just received approval to implement PES/LAS, BAMS/DSS, and Estimator. Our existing systems make it difficult to detect bid collusion and other irregular bidding.
Contractors Certified Payrolls – This project allows Contractors to submit required payrolls electronic, via email, to the Project Engineer’s offices. Since the payrolls contain sensitive information, we require the Contractors to encrypt the payroll using the Project Engineer’s Public Key and GPG Software before emailing the documents. Electronic copies of the payroll are store in LaDOTD’s Electronic Document Management System, IBM Content Manager.
Electronic Bidding (EBID) – LaDOTD is using Expedite and Bid Express for it electronic bidding system. LaDOTD is currently trying to change State Law which requires the distribution of paper bid documents. After this law is changed, LADOTD will develop and implement a web site that will allow Prospective Bidders and Information Only contractors to register and download the bidding documents.
Consultant Rating System (RNTG) – LaDOTD uses this system to assign performance ratings to engineering consultants for their work on LaDOTD engineering contracts. These ratings are used in the selection of consultants for future projects. The current system rates each contractor on five factors (Knowledge, Quality, Completion, Cooperation, and Communication). Each factor is rated on a scale of 0-4. Zero being unsatisfactory and 4 being outstanding. LaDOTD is working on a new web based application to rate each contractor on many different factors based on the type of work. The new system will have multi-tiered security to allow for peer review for each rating.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (Just Completed, In Progress, or Preparing To Start)
Program & Project Management System (PPMS) – This system is a single integrated application that centrally stores detail Program, Project & Task level cost, schedule, and scope information that Program Managers, Project Managers, and Task Managers need to plan, monitor, and direct all DOTD Project work performed by DOTD personnel and DOTD Consultants.
Environmental Tracking System (ETS) – ETS is a PPMS module being developed track data for the Environmental process. It also will maintain and produce various environmental control documents for all EAs, EISs, PCEs, CEs, and EEs. This system will be coming on line by the end of June, 2007
Appraisal, Acquisition, and Relocations System (AARS) – This system is a single integrated application that centrally stores detail Appraisal, Acquisition, and Relocation level information that AARS Project Leads, HQ Agents, Appraisers, Review Appraisers, Field Agents, and Relocation Agents need to track on assigned DOTD Right Of Way Projects.
Utilities Relocation Tracking System (URTS) – This system is a single integrated application that centrally stores details (Agreement terms, invoices, payments, etc) relating to Utility Contractors that have been or are currently under contract to work with DOTD to relocate Utility facilities impacted by proposed DOTD Projects. Users include both DOTD personnel and DOTD Contractors who provide administrative support to the DOTD Utilities Group.
INFORMATION WANTED
LaDOTD is interested in:
1. How are other states managing internet access by contractors and consultants to DOT applications, specifically concerning user id and password maintenance?
2. Does any state have an internet application for contractors to submit minority employee counts for the FHWA 1392 form (annual EEO report)?