Using GIS to Improve Project Delivery Outcomes

Brian GardnerSystems & Analysis Team

FHWA Office of Planning

GIS & NEPABoth evolving for decadesConcerted effort to reduce

project delivery timesIntersection of process and

technology◦Process streamlining◦Collaborative GIS

Benefits and lessons of recent applications

Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects

3

The Eco-Logical Approach

A multi-step process that:◦ Increases Predictability◦ Promotes Connectivity◦ Improves Conservation◦ Provides Transparency

Collaboration and Integration

Collaboration: Agencies agree to work together

Identify data that group will use

Agree how to handle other data needs

Integration: Resource data groups are

combined

Transportation data overlain

Assess effects: Identify areas of concern/opportunity

AASHTO Innovation Initiative State DOTs Participating in UPlan

Image courtesy AASHTO

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

Geospatial Data Collaboration Bridging between organizations

to improve working relationshipsFacilitating data sharing among

process participantsImproving communications and

information flow within the environmental process

Collaborative GIS

DOT

Resource Agencies

Other Stakehold

ers

FHWA

Map image courtesy UT DOT

BenefitsOrganizational efficiency

◦ Improve focus of IT and planning staff resources

◦Additional IT options for implementation◦Help manage engagement of all parties in the

environmental processProcess efficiency

◦Reduce time required for data assembly and management

◦Automate repetitive analyses and transactions◦ Improve relevance, quality, and timeliness of

decision-support documents

Florida’s EST

Map image courtesy FDOT

Utah’s UPlan

Map image courtesy UT DOT

Synthesis of State EffortsScreening ToolsData LibrariesMulti-Agency

Decision Support Systems

Graphics courtesy SCDOT

Synthesis of State Practices

How State DOTs and other transportation agencies are using geospatial tools to improve project delivery ◦collecting geospatial data, ◦ integrating or consolidating geospatial data

into a common framework, ◦developing standards and common formats

for these data, accessing them, and ◦using these data to communicate better

with stakeholders.

Geospatial Tools Case Studies

AgreementsSome formal arrangements

◦MOA, PA, OA◦Data flows and access◦Operational responsibilities

Mostly informal arrangements◦How and when to share data◦How a given tool will be used in the

processFrequent common broker

◦Designated state agency responsible for maintaining all authoritative data

Types of ToolsStatic Data RepositoriesInteractive Gateways

◦Viewers◦Screening Tools◦Web Portals

Common Gateway FeaturesFederated web servicesMapping functionalityContribute and modify

informationLayered access control

Benefits of Repositories and Gateways

Improved communicationsIncreased efficienciesImproved data qualityStreamlined project screening

and developmentImproved strategic decision-

making

Challenges of Repositories and Gateways

Standardizing dataSharing sensitive dataMaintaining dataAdapting to changeIdentifying opportunities

SHRP2: Eco-Plan

Starts with SHRP2 C40

2011 TRB workshop sought recommendations SHRP2 could take to◦ overcome barriers to implementing Eco-Logical

and◦ “reduce the transaction costs. ◦ Addressing the data and analysis issues was

the number one recommendation. Result was a project to integrate national-level

environmental resources with locally–available data, with three proof of concept pilots:

SHRP2 C40A Scope

◦ Build a national-level GIS tool to provide the data and analysis

◦ Support Eco-Logical and Integrated Ecological Framework (IEF)

◦ Focus on novice users with little in-house GIS resources◦ Leverage Federal web services to provide up-to-date

data◦ Pre-NEPA ecological screening

Process◦ Form several groups to provide design input and testing

feedback C40Bs, User Group, Technical Expert Task Group, Beta

Testers◦ Gathered and documented needs◦ Developed a vision◦ Designed the architecture◦ Tested and updated based on feedback

Eco-Plan Vision

Primary users are state and

MPO planners

Provide Federal data sets

Allow upload of local data

Not a replacement of existing tools

Support the IEF

Only for pre-NEPA screening

Architecture - Data

Maps

Gallery of themes maps and data services

Add Other Data From Web

Search for authoritative data sets identified by Eco-Plan

Add data sets from ArcGIS Online or the Web

Customize Maps

Find and copy existing theme maps for customization

Show/hide data layers

Ecological Screening Provide a simple

ecological screening tool based on the user’s shape

Prototype functionality limited to– Several states

– Only critical habitat, wetlands, and protected areas data

Eco-PlanAGO – EWG Wetlands

Eco-PlanAGO – EWG Critical Habitat and Species

EDC II – Geospatial Data CollaborationBrian Gardner FHWA Office of

Planning brian.gardner@dot.gov 202-366-4061

Mark Sarmiento FHWA Office of Planning mark.sarmiento@dot.gov 202-366-4828

Ben Williams FHWA Resource Center ben.williams@dot.gov 404-562-3671

Who can you contact?

SHRP II – Eco-LogicalShari Schaflein FHWA Office of Human

Environment Shari.Schaftlein@dot.gov 202-366-5570

Marlys Osterhues FHWA Office of Project Delivery & Environmental Review Marlys.Osterhues@dot.gov, 202-366-2052

Brian Yanchik FHWA Resource Center 443-522-9446

Who can you contact?