Investigation and Development of a Residency-level Geographic Information System to Support Priority Applications

About the report:

The primary responsibility of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Geographic Information Systems Lead Unit is to develop and implement the department's geographic information system (GIS). To fulfill this responsibility, the unit developed a new GIS strategic plan that outlines six implementation strategies, one of which is the "Implementation of Priority GIS Applications." This strategy focuses on the operational requirements and actions required to develop and maintain these applications. To serve as a catalyst in the development and implementation of priority applications at the VDOT residency level, research was undertaken to identify and develop a set of applications: a guardrail inventory, sign inventory, drop inlet inventory, railroad-highway grade crossing inventory, and mowing area calculation. These applications served as GIS examples intended to provide VDOT with a better understanding of the methods required to collect the spatial and attribute data when similar applications are developed. This report outlines the various methods used to collect the data and to define the associated accuracy requirements. The report also identifies the time expended in developing these applications. VDOT can use these methods to gauge the time required to develop similar applications on a statewide basis.

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