Current and Proposed
Organizational Activities
A. MicroStation V8 Implementation - Phase 1 is currently being deployed with the roll out of
new workstations. Phase 1 maintains the
current CADD standards that are compatible with a version 7 MicroStation Design
files. Phase 2 of the V8 implementation
has been deployed. Phase 2 now includes
the acceptance of V8 MicroStation Design files for final contract plans. Caltrans has issued a DGNLIB that defines the
new 900 plus levels, which is required to be utilized on any project on state
highway that submits V8 MicroStation Design files. The Caltrans CADD Users Manual, Section 4.1,
describes the “limitations/restrictions” when using V8 format files. Pre-V8 files are acceptable as long as they
adhere to the Pre-V8 Caltrans CADD standards.
B. Incorporating CADD file systems and Engineering GIS databases
into the Caltrans Geospatial Database –
A Geospatial Committee has been established to address the needs of having the
CADD file systems and Engineering related GIS databases into the Caltrans
statewide Geospatial Database.
C. Caltrans 2007 Seismic
Hazard Map – Engineering
GIS Branch worked with the Office of Earthquake Engineering to develop a new
seismic hazard map. This GIS application will assist engineers in performing
seismic analysis and design for highway and structure projects.
D. Using ArcGIS software and Watershed Modeling System (WMS) – ArcGIS/WMS have been used to perform
offsite hydrological designs. 10 meter DEMs are being used along with soil
mapping from NRCS and land use mapping from various local agencies. An
ArcView/WMS hydrology class has been conducted in all 12 Districts.
E. Surveying & R/W Engineering - Caltrans survey crews are equipped
with robotic, reflector less total stations (Leica 1103+ or Trimble S-6) with
Windows CE based Trimble TSCe &TSC2 data collectors. Trimble Survey
Controller software is processed in Trimble Geomatics Office. Each survey crew
is also equipped with a Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer and printer, an
in-vehicle radio, and hand-held radios with ranges of 8-10 km. About 90 percent
of Caltrans survey crews now have access to high accuracy geodetic grade
receivers, including real-time GPS survey units. Most of the units are Trimble 5700 GPS
receivers; the remainder are R8s, 4700 and 4800 receivers. In addition, crews
have access to mapping grade receivers for reconnaissance and resource grade
work. GPS data is processed in Trimble Geomatics Office and Trimble Business
Center . The Vangarde 505 Surveying System
was deployed in 1994 to improve the safety and reliability of pavement
elevation surveying operations. Surveys staff in the office setting all use
personal computers and workstations. CAiCE software creates digital terrain
models generated from field survey and/or photogrammetic data. CAiCE coordinate geometry (COGO) software is
used to calculate alignments, compute areas and make surveying computations.
Microstation is used in making map and plan sheets. Statewide Right of Way
Mapping standards have been established.
F. Photogrammetry
- Among the major software used within Caltrans’ Office of
Photogrammetry are:
·
GPS ProMap - for Flight Planning (replacement for this
orphan application is currently under evaluation);
·
Albany,
and ISSBA - for conventional
and Airborne-GPS Aerotriangulation,
·
GrafNav – for Airborne-GPS (large file) data processing
·
ORIMA - for digital softcopy
Aerotriangulation,
·
Leica LPS - for digital softcopy map compilation,
orthophotography production and scanning;
·
GDM Resymbol - for CADD batch editing (including
metric-to-english file conversion),
·
MicroStation and Descartes - for mapping, DTM editing,
and simple image rectification,
·
Paint Shop Pro – for digital
photo indexes and simple image manipulation,
·
Adobe Photoshop – for
orthophotography mosaic editing and complex image manipulation,
·
TextPad – for editing ASCII files,
·
Adobe
Acrobat – for editing
PDF files,
·
CAiCE - for photogrammetric DTM surfaces,
·
ArcGIS – for LiDAR 3D data processing,
·
Microsoft Project and FileMaker
Pro - for Project Management.
G. DHIPP
(Digital Highway Inventory Photography Program) - DHIPP is a Caltrans in-house
web-enabled GIS application providing staff access to seamless 1’-GSD color
digital ortho-imagery of the entire state highway system. Updated imagery will be captured beginning in
early 2008.
H. SignCAD - SignCAD has been implemented statewide
to assist traffic engineers in designing new sign panels for “Contractor
Furnished Signs”. The final details and
quantities must be in a MicroStation Design file.
I.
CALTRANS Document
Retrieval System (DRS) – Caltrans DRS uses TSA Advent’ Falcon DMS and
Falcon SVP to give anyone using a browser on the CALTRANS intranet to search
for, view, and print documents. A
backend database (Oracle) allows users to input search criteria such as county,
route, and/or post mile to find project files stored in DRS. There are
currently a total of 877,000 files stored in DRS. Most of the files stored in
DRS are as-built plans, but DRS contains survey files and documents,
right-of-way files and documents, and encroachment permits. DRS can store any file type, so its use will
probably expand in the future.
New Systems (Just Completed, In
Progress, or Preparing to Start)
A. New Roadway Design Software - In March 2006 Caltrans’ management approved a decision
document to transition from its current roadway design software, CAiCE, to
InRoads software. Due to funding and
procurement constraints, this effort required a Feasibility Study Report. The
report was approved in April 2008 and Caltrans intends to go out for competitive
bids and evaluation in FY 08/09.
B. PRSM -
PRSM is an acronym for "Project Resourcing and Schedule Management."
It is the first part of a three-part plan to modernize the financial management
software within Caltrans. PRSM will enable Caltrans to effectively manage State
employee time in its Capital Outlay Support (COS) program. This $1.2
billion-per-year program funds environmental studies, design services,
construction engineering and right-of-way acquisition services for State Highway
projects. Caltrans employs more than 10,000 people in COS. State
employee time charges make up most of the costs in this program. PRSM will be
Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software.
C. Machine Control Guidance – Caltrans is implementing a
pilot project for the contractor to have the option of using machine control
guidance for construction. The Brawley Bypass project was advertised with the
option of using “stakeless construction”.
It is currently under construction and lessons learned will be written
up for that project. The option language in the contract allowed contractors
without the ability to use this method of construction to still bid on the
project. How much time or money will MG save during construction is the
question. Having complete electronic files, exporting to different formats, and
resistance to change have been the main issues.
D. Central Valley
Spatial Reference Network - Caltrans
has developed the Central Valley Spatial Reference Network (CVSRN) for
evaluation and possible future expansion of Real Time Networks (RTN) s to other
Districts in the State to improve the safety, productivity and efficiency of
surveying crews and to improve mobility. The savings in personnel time
resulting from the use of CVSRN will provide a return on investment within 8-12
months of deployment. The proposal includes building the system infrastructure,
upgrading existing continuous global positioning system (CGPS) stations,
establishing communication links, setting up the RTN server and software,
performing data management, monitoring the overall reliability of the system,
and on-going maintenance and support. Several districts are using Leica,
Trimble, and public RTNs and reporting favorable results.
E. Terrestrial
Laser Scanning - Laser scanning is an emerging technology that allows a
surveyor to collect a point cloud, at millimeter accuracy. Conventional surveys
only capture a fraction of the points collected by laser scanning but are the
extra points needed? Applications include pavement surveys, structures
modeling, landslide and vertical face modeling, determining clearances and
incident response. Caltrans and the University of California at Davis, CA. conducted
research to develop standards and specifications to implement the technology on
transportation projects. The field work
has been completed and the report is in progress. Caltrans purchased two Leica
ScanStation2 laser scanner Cyclone software.
F. Mobile
laser scanning is currently being
researched to determine accuracy and feasibility of incorporating into the
Caltrans workflow. Caltrans is looking at mobile laser scanning as a tool to
get surveyors off the highway and limit their exposure to traffic. Early
demonstrations show the ability to collect data very quickly in the field. Data
collection of 10 to 20 miles in a day is easily obtained. The vertical accuracy
is still based on GPS and is showing ~3-4 cm difference when compared with
conventional survey data. The ease of data extraction from the point cloud
varies greatly with the different vendors.
G. AASHTO Site
Manager - Caltrans purchased an
evaluation license of Site Manager to use as a basis for the Construction
Management System (CMS) and is currently working to secure a renewal
license. The system will be modified to
meet the California Department of Transportation’s (Department) specific
construction requirements and departmental technical standards. As is, the AASHTO system addresses all of the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements and most of the Department’s
construction business needs.
NCHRP Project 08-55 -
Integrating Geo-spatial Technologies into the Right of Way Data Management
Process - Caltrans is participating in a national research project for
automation of ROW functions and development of data integration models using existing
technology including geo-spatial applications needed to improve the
coordination and consistency of data, leading to reduced project delays caused
by ROW acquisition, and disposal of excess lands. http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=931
Value Analysis (VA) Report- Process Review of Discovery of
Utility Facilities for Project Delivery Use:
The key alternatives relate to two areas: 1) develop database applications
and 2) create a utility engineering unit for each Caltrans district unit. The implementation of these alternatives will
allow Caltrans to work more efficiently this maintaining the current workforce
with the anticipated increase in workload.
Information
Wanted
1. How many other states are preparing and
providing digital design models to contractors for the purpose of “stakeless
construction” or “machine guidance”? Do you have any policies or guidelines to
share?
2. Are terrestrial laser scanners being used
for design surveying by the DOT or consultants on projects? What kind of
project are laser scanners being used on? What brand of laser scanner software
is being used? What does the DOT see as the best type of projects for laser
scanning?