Geographic Database for Traffic Operations Data

Abstract

State Transportation Departments nationwide manage huge amounts of information. Examples include geometric plans, sign inventories, maintenance records, engineering studies, and so on. In many cases, no indexing or archiving system is available for storing and retrieving this data. A prototype computer-based model was developed in order to address these indexing needs. The model focuses on engineering report tracking but can be extended to accommodate other types of information. The model is based on a procedure that links signalized intersections and road segments to nonspatial attribute data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. A paper form was developed in order to facilitate the extraction of data from engineering reports. The indexing model also includes a computerized version of the paper form to assist in data entry, and another form for query purposes. The indexing model was applied to 10 years of engineering report data from East Baton Rouge Parish, La.