Current and Proposed Organizational Activities.
A. The Environmental Section finally went digital. - Most wetland surveys are now digital. NDDOT wetland surveys and topographical surveys are usually done independent of each other because the skills required for these surveys are specific to different personnel. Previously, most NDDOT wetland surveys were done by measuring tape, old photos and old plans. Data was recorded by written notes and sketches. Now digital wetland delineations can be done independent of traditional survey ground control. They are done with GPS. Processes were developed to import data into both ArcMap and MicroStation. Ground Projections for each county were created to help convert the data. Previously we did not have the custom ground projections set up in ArcMap. Now it is easier to share information between ArcMap and MicroStation. Macros were set up in both ArcMap and MicroStation to expedite the import process. A promotion was also made to get away from assumed coordinates for preventative maintenance projects.
B. Installation of a PEEK brand Automatic Data Recorder (ADR) 6000.
In 2007, the North Dakota Department of Transportation will complete its first installation of a PEEK ADR 6000 traffic recorder on a segment of Interstate 29 in an urban section in the city of Fargo. The ADR 6000 is installed on a 6 lane doweled, concrete pavement section of roadway. The system which is comprised of an entrance and exit detection loop separated by an axle detection loop (in each lane) has no piezo of any kind for axle detection within the array. The system classifies vehicles according to the FHWA scheme “F” for vehicle classification. A unique feature of the ADR 6000 is that it can track, count and classify a vehicle that happens to be changing lanes while passing over the loops. The advertised accuracy of this system is better than standard traffic counting hoses. With this system, the NDDOT can safely and accurately collect traffic data on a high volume urban location without DOT employees having to install temporary counters in the traffic stream, eliminating major safety concerns. The system will be completely functional by late fall of 2007 and added to the DOT auto polling procedures at that time.
C. NDDOT MDSS AVL PILOT PROJECT
One of the biggest challenges for NDDOT is to make informed decisions regarding snow and ice control on State Hi-ways and the Interstate System. Maintenance personnel decide what treatments to apply and when to apply them based on their current knowledge level of road surface treatments. The skill levels of Maintenance personnel ranges from years of experience (Master level) to minimal (Apprentice level). The road surface treatments are performed based on what Maintenance personnel know about the current pavement conditions, current and forecasted weather conditions, and any other available techniques and resources. The expert knowledge of treatment levels isn’t readily available due to organizational and geographical constraints. The AVL/MDSS (Automated Vehicle Location/Maintenance Decision Support System) assists with snow and ice by putting the treatment recommendation in one accessible place for all maintenance personnel.
The NDDOT believes that it is necessary to maintain constant interaction with the snowplows in combating snow and ice build-up on our State Hi-ways and Interstate system. NDDOT recommended that AVL/RDC (Automated Vehicle Location/Remote Data Collection) equipment and pavement temp sensors be installed in each of the project vehicles to collect data (chemical concentrations, salt/sander status information, vehicle speed and blade positions) that can be imported into the MDSS system. The recommendations for road treatment are returned in-vehicle back to the snowplow operators for implementation, along with radar images for storm tracking via cellular communications or 802.11 hotspots.
The project added AVL/RDC data collection equipment to trucks in the Fargo, Grand Forks, and Dickinson Districts for a total of 26 snow plow trucks. Three types of communications infrastructure (radio, wireless, radio with hot spots) are being used to collect and send data, provide Meridian access to the data for forecasting, analysis and modeling and make maintenance recommendations back to the NDDOT, and provide Maintenance Supervisors the ability to make informed decisions based on what treatments the operators are applying to the road surface and what Meridian Environmental is recommending.
The districts and Maintenance and Engineering Services Division (MESD) have identified the following benefits of the project: emergency notification for operators in time of distress, efficient truck dispatching and management of material resources, and better forecasting of roadway condition(s) for the traveling public.
New Systems (Just Completed, In Progress, or Preparing to Start)
A. Aerial Camera and TerraShare - The North Dakota Department of Transportation has successfully implemented the first Intergraph Z/I Imaging DMC Digital Mapping Camera equipped with a Solid State Disc storage cartridge. With the DMC, we are able to cover more ground in a smaller aircraft, which gives us the ability to respond to requests for project data for mapping, GIS, and remote sensing applications. The DMC camera is installed in a Cessna 337, the smallest aircraft that the camera has been installed. The DMC offers flexibility and accuracy by facilitating faster processing of imagery, production of better quality deliverables and easier data collection for more efficient digital image analysis and delivery. The DMC gives us the ability to work in Color, IR, and/or Pan.
B. GEOPAK Drainage - More work is being done with GEOPAK Drainage. This application is still not fully implemented. But several policies - methods have been re-examined and may be improved due to the consideration of GEOPAK drainage. The NDDOT “Intensity Duration Frequency” (IDF) tables may be changed to equations. Roadway spread equations are being updated. NDDOT grate capacities (factors of safety – clogging factors) may be adjusted and they will be formally documented.
Record of Exchange
We wish to thank all the states and other organizations that we have corresponded with to share ideas, thoughts, and information over the past year.
Information Wanted
1. How does your agency collect average daily traffic (ADT) (using FHWA Scheme F), on a multi-lane, high volume urban facility?
2. What are states using for their Asset Management solution?
3. How states are exchanging electronic files (graphic and data) with the consultants they have under contract? What guidelines, standards, polices, ... are being used to control this process?