Technology Management of Technology Management of Transportation Properties: Transportation Properties:

Problems and ProspectsProblems and Prospects

BASIL BRINKBASIL BRINKPost graduate student, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Post graduate student, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment,

University of Johannesburg, South Africa.University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

JAN-HARM PRETORIUS JAN-HARM PRETORIUS Professor, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Professor, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment,

University of Johannesburg, South Africa.University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

LEON PRETORIUSLEON PRETORIUSProfessor, Graduate School of Technology Management, Professor, Graduate School of Technology Management,

University of Pretoria, South AfricaUniversity of Pretoria, South Africa

STRUCTURE OF PRESENTATIONSTRUCTURE OF PRESENTATION

1. 1. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

2. 2. A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO PROPERTY A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT IN TRANSPORTATION AGENCIESAGENCIES

3. 3. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMSGEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

4. 4. CASE STUDY FINDINGSCASE STUDY FINDINGS

5. 5. PROSPECTS FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROSPECTS FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES IN TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES IN TRANSPORTATION AGENCIESAGENCIES

6. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONRECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

1. INTRODUCTION1. INTRODUCTION

Transportation agencies own property that is Transportation agencies own property that is a strategic asset for socio-economic a strategic asset for socio-economic developmentdevelopment

Technology makes a key contribution to Technology makes a key contribution to efficient and effective asset and property efficient and effective asset and property management in transportation agencies management in transportation agencies

A systems approach to asset management in A systems approach to asset management in a transportation agency provides the a transportation agency provides the technology manager with an effective tool to technology manager with an effective tool to analyse and deal with any problems analyse and deal with any problems encounteredencountered

2. A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO PROPERTY 2. A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT IN TRANSPORTATION

AGENCIESAGENCIES

A systems approach A systems approach

Involves the identification, analysis and Involves the identification, analysis and integration of interrelationships between integration of interrelationships between activities in organizational subsystems in a activities in organizational subsystems in a meaningful total organizational system meaningful total organizational system

Provides a methodology to analyze complex Provides a methodology to analyze complex links and interrelationships between supra-links and interrelationships between supra-systems in the external environment and a systems in the external environment and a transportation agency’s internal subsystems, transportation agency’s internal subsystems, e.g. its property management unite.g. its property management unit

2. A TRANSPORTATION AGENCY AS 2. A TRANSPORTATION AGENCY AS SYSTEMSYSTEM

A transportation agency is an open A transportation agency is an open system with interrelated subsystems system with interrelated subsystems in it continually interacting:in it continually interacting:

Among themselvesAmong themselves

The agency as a whole, andThe agency as a whole, and

The external environment of the The external environment of the agencyagency

Interrelationship between a property management unit Interrelationship between a property management unit in a state transportation agency and its main in a state transportation agency and its main

stakeholdersstakeholders

Property Management

Unit

Transportation Agency

Minister

National Government

Local Authorities

Customers

Tenants

Communities

External Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal

Environments

Subsystems in a property management Subsystems in a property management unit in a transportation agencyunit in a transportation agency

Property management technologyProperty management technology

Internal operational functionsInternal operational functions

Shareholders, purchasers, lessees, Shareholders, purchasers, lessees, sub-tenants and users of the sub-tenants and users of the properties in the portfolio properties in the portfolio

Financial Management of

Revenues, Capital & Operational Expenditure

Financial Management

Software

Web-based interactive GIS, CAD, GPS & 3D Visual modeling

capabilities

A TRANSPORTATION AGENCY’S FIXED ASSET ACTIVITIES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Digital Document Management of

projects, contracts, spreadsheets,

emails & databases

Project management,

tender, approval, acquisition,

disposal & lease documents,

Minutes, emails

Asset, Property and Facilities

Management of Right of Way Core

& Non-Core properties

A Transformation Process in an A Transformation Process in an Organization-As-SystemOrganization-As-System

External EnvironmentExternal Environment

Feedback LoopsFeedback Loops

A property management transformation subsystem in a A property management transformation subsystem in a transportation agencytransportation agency

INPUTOffers or bids to

develop, lease or

buy transport-

ation property

OUTPUTPublic Private

Partnership; right of way acquisition, disposal or

lease agreements

Value added to transportation agency’s property

Increased efficiency through feedback data

TRANSFORMATION PROCESS

Interoperability of software

technologies improves efficiency

in the property management

subsystem

A systems dynamic model for transportation A systems dynamic model for transportation asset and property managementasset and property management

A technology manager can use systems dynamics models A technology manager can use systems dynamics models to begin to explore or analyze systems design and to begin to explore or analyze systems design and

problem solving for asset and property management in a problem solving for asset and property management in a transportation agencytransportation agency

TRANSPORTATION

ASSET AND

PROPERTY

MANAGEMENT

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

To reduce identified

failures and inefficiencies

POSITIVE FEEDBACK

To build on identified

successes and efficiencies

3. A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM 3. A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM Is unique among spatial software technologiesIs unique among spatial software technologies

Uses spatial location and geographical relationships Uses spatial location and geographical relationships between objects for query generation and between objects for query generation and integration of results integration of results

Uses a cadastral database with a series of maps Uses a cadastral database with a series of maps showing the size and location of all land parcels and showing the size and location of all land parcels and text records that describe land attributes text records that describe land attributes

Permits interrogation of data using their Permits interrogation of data using their geographical characteristicsgeographical characteristics

Has image processing processes for satellite and Has image processing processes for satellite and aerial photographic analysis as a subset of its broad aerial photographic analysis as a subset of its broad range of application software range of application software

Four subsystems of GIS functionalityFour subsystems of GIS functionality

1. 1. Data Input SubsystemData Input Subsystem To collect data from various sources and to perform To collect data from various sources and to perform editing operations on digital maps and databasesediting operations on digital maps and databases

2. 2. Data Storage and Retrieval SubsystemData Storage and Retrieval SubsystemTo organize the data and to allow for data editingTo organize the data and to allow for data editing

3.3. Data Manipulation and Analysis SubsystemData Manipulation and Analysis Subsystem To perform query and analysis tasks on the data, To perform query and analysis tasks on the data, including aggregating/disaggregating, comparing including aggregating/disaggregating, comparing datasets, integrating thematic layers, and modelingdatasets, integrating thematic layers, and modeling

4. 4. Reporting and Presentation SubsystemReporting and Presentation SubsystemTo display all or part of the database in tabular, To display all or part of the database in tabular, graphical or map form and to produce customized graphical or map form and to produce customized output filesoutput files

Advantages of GISAdvantages of GIS Examine and interpret spatially related activities Examine and interpret spatially related activities

and conditionsand conditions

Overlay property rights and interests, e.g. title Overlay property rights and interests, e.g. title deed restrictions and rights of waydeed restrictions and rights of way

Provide an accurate current large scale map baseProvide an accurate current large scale map base

Integrate non-geographical data, e.g. property Integrate non-geographical data, e.g. property prices or socio-economic profiles with digital mapsprices or socio-economic profiles with digital maps

Statistically and graphically review the property Statistically and graphically review the property portfolio of a transportation agencyportfolio of a transportation agency

Test hypotheses and discover patterns in the data Test hypotheses and discover patterns in the data by using interactive filters by using interactive filters

4. CASE STUDIES4. CASE STUDIES4.1 Case study of customized asset management 4.1 Case study of customized asset management

technologies used by three transportation technologies used by three transportation agencies in the United Statesagencies in the United States

FindingFinding

The customized technology solutions that met The customized technology solutions that met the Washington State, Illinois and Nevada the Washington State, Illinois and Nevada Department of Transportation’s diverse asset Department of Transportation’s diverse asset management needs showed commonalities. All management needs showed commonalities. All solutions incorporated web-based real-time solutions incorporated web-based real-time software that allowed interoperability software that allowed interoperability between:between:

A Geographical Information SystemA Geographical Information System A project management systemA project management system A cost estimation system, and A cost estimation system, and A digital document management systemA digital document management system

4.2 Case study of Property 4.2 Case study of Property Management Technology in a South Management Technology in a South

African Transportation AgencyAfrican Transportation Agency

Transnet Limited is a state-owned freight Transnet Limited is a state-owned freight transport enterprise delivering rail, ports and transport enterprise delivering rail, ports and pipelines services. It owns some 44 000 core pipelines services. It owns some 44 000 core and non-core properties throughout South and non-core properties throughout South Africa.Africa.

FindingFinding

Transnet Property’s property management Transnet Property’s property management technologies are similar to the Departments technologies are similar to the Departments of of

Transportation in Washington State, Illinois and Transportation in Washington State, Illinois and NevadaNevada

An interface between SAP and the GIS is currently An interface between SAP and the GIS is currently

under construction. under construction.

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.1 Knowledge and Activity Capture5.1 Knowledge and Activity Capture

Employees are encouraged to add all pertinent Employees are encouraged to add all pertinent information, e.g. an interactive drawing to a right information, e.g. an interactive drawing to a right of way property that is in the process of being of way property that is in the process of being sold or acquired:sold or acquired:

The transportation agency obtains a record of The transportation agency obtains a record of each interaction that took place between an each interaction that took place between an employee and the property owner over the employee and the property owner over the sale/purchase processsale/purchase process

The knowledge and activities of employees are The knowledge and activities of employees are captured to be used as a tool for improved captured to be used as a tool for improved management and customer service management and customer service

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.2 Improved decision-making5.2 Improved decision-making

A web-based GIS system improves decision-A web-based GIS system improves decision-making in a transportation agency by facilitating:making in a transportation agency by facilitating:

More accurate information on buildings, e.g. More accurate information on buildings, e.g. vacancy rates, current usage and condition vacancy rates, current usage and condition

Evaluation and tracking of built environment-Evaluation and tracking of built environment-

related issues raised by interested and affected related issues raised by interested and affected parties in a public participation processparties in a public participation process

Collaboration between agencies, and across Collaboration between agencies, and across internal departments, e.g. around a right of way internal departments, e.g. around a right of way acquisition or non-core property disposal acquisition or non-core property disposal

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.3 Visual Interactive Simulation (VIS)5.3 Visual Interactive Simulation (VIS)

When 3D environments using aerial imagery, e.g. When 3D environments using aerial imagery, e.g. Google Earth, 3D terrain models, Street Views and Google Earth, 3D terrain models, Street Views and CAD are combined with VIS:CAD are combined with VIS:

Live closed-circuit television camera feeds could be Live closed-circuit television camera feeds could be embedded in a 3D model to study what is embedded in a 3D model to study what is happening within a 3D virtual environmenthappening within a 3D virtual environment

AA micro-simulation of a road or rail network within a micro-simulation of a road or rail network within a 3D visual environment could be run and compared 3D visual environment could be run and compared with live feeds from cameras along the networkwith live feeds from cameras along the network

Different bridge designs could be ‘experienced’ Different bridge designs could be ‘experienced’ online and opinions on them obtained from online and opinions on them obtained from transport users transport users

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.4 ‘Self-reporting’ using interactive 5.4 ‘Self-reporting’ using interactive mapping technologymapping technology

Web-based interactive mapping technology Web-based interactive mapping technology enables individual transport users to ‘self-enables individual transport users to ‘self-report’ problems, e.g. burst pipes and report’ problems, e.g. burst pipes and potholespotholes

They can take a picture of the problem on They can take a picture of the problem on their mobile phone and send it to the relevant their mobile phone and send it to the relevant department with GPS co-ordinates department with GPS co-ordinates automatically attachedautomatically attached

Self-reporting saves costs by reducing Self-reporting saves costs by reducing maintenance inspections and dealing with maintenance inspections and dealing with repairs as/when requiredrepairs as/when required

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.5 Pedestrian movement modeling5.5 Pedestrian movement modeling

Significant improvements in the use of Significant improvements in the use of highly accurate pedestrian movement highly accurate pedestrian movement modeling software, especially when coupled modeling software, especially when coupled with 3D visual technology, are expectedwith 3D visual technology, are expected

These improvements will improve the design These improvements will improve the design and property management of transportation and property management of transportation circulation spaces such as forecourts, circulation spaces such as forecourts, concourses, platforms, and access corridors.concourses, platforms, and access corridors.

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.6 Point cloud data5.6 Point cloud data

The continued development of aerial The continued development of aerial and terrestrial long-distance laser and terrestrial long-distance laser scanning will ensure that the use of scanning will ensure that the use of point cloud data, e.g. of infrastructure point cloud data, e.g. of infrastructure and buildings at specific localities and buildings at specific localities accessed via cloud computing accessed via cloud computing (distributed network computing) will (distributed network computing) will become far more widespread in 3D become far more widespread in 3D environmental modeling in future environmental modeling in future

5. PROSPECTS 5. PROSPECTS

5.7 Use of computational fluid dynamics5.7 Use of computational fluid dynamics

Feasibility studies of for example natural Feasibility studies of for example natural ventilation can be performed on buildings ventilation can be performed on buildings using computational fluid dynamics. Supply using computational fluid dynamics. Supply air rates, temperatures and façade air rates, temperatures and façade treatments can be optimized to increase treatments can be optimized to increase thermal comfort and energy efficiencythermal comfort and energy efficiency

The use of computational fluid dynamics can The use of computational fluid dynamics can improve sustainability of all types of buildings improve sustainability of all types of buildings by reducing their energy consumption while by reducing their energy consumption while providing more healthy and comfortable providing more healthy and comfortable environments environments

6. RECOMMENDATIONS6. RECOMMENDATIONS

Transportation agencies should acquire asset and Transportation agencies should acquire asset and property management technologies that facilitate:property management technologies that facilitate:

Data and system standardization in the agency Data and system standardization in the agency

Improved data integrity, standardization and Improved data integrity, standardization and interoperability between departments interoperability between departments

Multi-user functionality that allows special Multi-user functionality that allows special reporting and ad hoc inquiries reporting and ad hoc inquiries

Practical capability to compile and manage all Practical capability to compile and manage all project dataproject data

No excessive changes to existing software No excessive changes to existing software

6. RECOMMENDATIONS6. RECOMMENDATIONS

Technology managers should identify and address difficulties Technology managers should identify and address difficulties that stand in the way of the successful use of property that stand in the way of the successful use of property management technology in a transportation agency such as management technology in a transportation agency such as insufficient funding; loss of institutional knowledge; a lack of insufficient funding; loss of institutional knowledge; a lack of data integrity and standardization, and a lack of trained data integrity and standardization, and a lack of trained human resources. They should creatively exploit human resources. They should creatively exploit technological advances in order to deliver the best possible technological advances in order to deliver the best possible services at the most competitive pricesservices at the most competitive prices

The ever present danger of the use of technology to further The ever present danger of the use of technology to further narrow exploitative agendas, to manipulate perceptions, or narrow exploitative agendas, to manipulate perceptions, or for corrupt purposes should be guarded against in both for corrupt purposes should be guarded against in both public and private sector organizations and transportation public and private sector organizations and transportation agencies. Knowledge is Power, but in today’s world agencies. Knowledge is Power, but in today’s world Information is the Power that could be used either towards Information is the Power that could be used either towards moral or immoral ends.moral or immoral ends.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Further development and integration of GIS, Further development and integration of GIS, CAD, 3D visual modeling , Digital Document CAD, 3D visual modeling , Digital Document Management and Financial Management Management and Financial Management software systems will provide practically software systems will provide practically unlimited possibilities and prospects for unlimited possibilities and prospects for improved asset and property management improved asset and property management in transportation agenciesin transportation agencies

These technologies will enhance the These technologies will enhance the integration of property and business data, integration of property and business data, allow for high quality property performance allow for high quality property performance measurement and more proactive asset measurement and more proactive asset and property management and property management