2nd Runner Up - Automated Slip Database, WVDOH-D6
PROBLEM
PJ-216 forms are submitted by county workers to the district office to document the location of a slip or side. These forms include pictures, a short description and GPS coordinates of the location. The paper-based forms were simply field in a folder, without any special representation or visual severity scale. Due to this, very little information was compiled in order to track completed or existing slip repairs, or to prioritize potential projects.
SOLUTION
A spreadsheet was built to house all of the information that is submitted on these forms. From the submitted pictures, a severity rating between 1 and 10 is assigned, which is then used as a multiplier for the ADT, to generate an overall score that represents both the severity of the slip and the volume of traffic.
A automated model (see picture on below) was constructed to import all of the entries from the excel spreadsheet into ArcMap. The information is projected onto the aerial images of District 6 (see picture two below), displaying the point locations of all slips within the district. A color code is applied ranging from green (low score) to red (high score) and also includes black points to show where repair work has been completed.
By highlighting a specific point, the user can view all the details for this precise location (see picture three below) such as project numbers, funding sources, total cost route, milepost, length, etc. Additionally, the PJ-216 forms are now submitted electronically by all counties, and they are hyperlinked to this field in the information window. When clicking on this name, the original PJ-216 submission will open.
Finally, the ArcMap shapefile can be exported as a .kmz file, which will open in Google Earth (see picture four below). This allows interactive availability to those who do not have direct access to the shared location where the map and other files reside.
LABOR, MATERIALS, & EQUIPMENT
Microsoft Excel and ArcMap
COST
Several ArcMap training courses and the time to build the model, organize files, and establish the structure (approximately $1000)
SAVINGS/BENEFITS TO COMMUNITY
Previously, finding any specific PJ-216 form was difficult at best. After the additional of excel database coordinate could be seen for the locations, but each point had to be entered manually into a mapping program to be visualized. This inclusion of the automated ArcMap model has allowed the entirety of this information to be imported at once, ranked, and displayed in only few seconds. We are now able to easily managed a growing database of over 1000 existing slips and completed slips repairs.
Being able to visually assess locations and severity of these slips allows for more efficient prioritization and cost effective programming of slip repairs projects throughout District 6
CONTACT
Charlie Swart
Email: Charles.S.Swart@WV.gov
