An initial evaluation of the feasibility of a GIS to support PMS applications

A geographic information system (GIS) is a computerized data base management system for managing spatially defined data. Geographic information systems are rapidly gaining popularity among transportation agencies in the United States. Already, there are on-going projects within several state and federal agencies to develop transportation applications of GIS. Within the Texas SDHPT, a GIS can be used to satisfy the most urgent need of the Districts for an automated procedure to produce maps highlighting substandard pavement sections. In an initial effort to evaluate the feasibility of a geographic information system for the Department, an existing research study entitled District Level PMS was modified to include a task to accomplish the following: 1) identify requirements for a GIS within the Texas SDHPT: 2) identify sources of digital cartographic data for developing the GIS land base: 3) evaluate the capabilities of the Department to build and maintain a land base for the GIS: 4) review available GIS hardware and software; and 5) formulate recommendations for implementing a GIS within the Texas SDHPT. The findings from the study, as related to the objectives set forth previously, are summarized in this report. In addition, the report provides an overview of GIS, and reviews on-going efforts being conducted at the state and federal levels to implement geographic information systems for transportation applications. Issues in GIS implementation are also identified that are crucial to the successful implementation of this technology within a state transportation agency. A demonstration of the potential applications of GIS to pavement management was also conducted during the study and is documented in this report (A).