national highway specifications...

National Highway Specifications WebsiteNational Highway Specifications Website

Past, Present, and Future

presented byLinda Konrathfor

AASHTO SCoC Annual MeetingAugust 1, 2007

BackgroundBackground

AASHTO Resolution 99-0Objective: One-Stop source for specification informationEndorsed development of an electronic specifications library to be hosted by FHWA

NHSWLaunched 2003

Standard Specifications

Innovative Contracting

Specifications

Emerging Technical

Specifications

Construction Manuals

Links to Standard

Plans

• current inventory• not an archive

SHAsFHWAAdministrative features

Security issues

Provide oversight

Encourage participation, promote website

Maintain the Library

Browse Library

Search Library

Download specs

View and print specs

Users

Present WebsitePresent Website

http://www.specs.fhwa.dot.gov

Present WebsitePresent Website

Present Website – Additional ContentPresent Website – Additional Content

Discussion ForumStatic links to related sitesAdministrative access for maintenance purposes

Present Website – Current StatusPresent Website – Current Status

Needs maintenance to remain current> 50% of specs need updatingNew technologies are emergingInnovative contracting practices continue to evolve

Time for an update!

User Feedback – SurveyUser Feedback – Survey

Survey distributed to SCoC members seeking input on:

Organization, content, and functionality of current NHSWPossible updates and enhancements

User Feedback – GeneralUser Feedback – General

Specification library accessed frequentlyDiscussion forum not usedPossible areas of improvement

MaintenanceUpload processInnovative specification librarySearch feature

User Feedback – ContentUser Feedback – Content

What information would you find useful?

Innovative Specifications: 95%Contact info for spec engineers: 90%Links to related websites: 78%Manuals: 78%ASTM Abstracts: 30%

User Feedback – FunctionalityUser Feedback – Functionality

Update submission process83% unfamiliar with processTime-consuming to meet NHSW submission standards

Search FunctionRetain detailed search resultsSearches could be faster (subsequently improved through switch to GGooooggllee)

User Feedback – Innovative SpecsUser Feedback – Innovative Specs

Expand current alternative contracting section

Design-BuildA+B BiddingIncentives/DisincentivesLane RentalOther

User Feedback – Innovative SpecsUser Feedback – Innovative Specs

Add page for new or emerging technical specs

SmoothnessMachine control gradingIntelligent compactionPerformance specifications

Recommendations – ContentRecommendations – Content

Work with AASHTO SCoC to obtain contact information and documentsAdd contact information to secure area of siteUpdate specifications as necessary

Recommendations – Content (continued)Recommendations – Content (continued)

Expand innovative and emerging libraryAdd library of Construction ManualsAdd links to Standard PlansRemove discussion forumReplace ASTM abstracts with link to ASTM site

Recommendations – FunctionalityRecommendations – Functionality

Switch to GGooooggllee search toolImprove administrative interfaceRelax submission standards

Single file for entire spec book or multiple files by sectionpdf or html

Enhance design of website

Future WebsiteFuture Website

ChallengesChallenges

Keeping specifications currentKeeping contact information currentPromoting the site

Challenges – Other Options ExploredChallenges – Other Options Explored

Linking instead of hosting full documents

Lose ability to search across a population of documents

Customized Search EngineCurrently only in beta version

Challenges – SolutionsChallenges – Solutions

Provide web-based trainingUpload procedures508 compliance

Switch to database structureUse SCoC Annual Meeting to:

Promote the site Stress the need for ongoing maintenance

Distribute annual reminders

ScheduleSchedule

Improvements to be made gradually based on priority and ease of implementationFull re-launch expected by Spring 2008

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