Developing Complex Integrated Computer Applications and Systems

Abstract

The challenge of integrating multiple computer applications and systems is common in civil engineering. For example, civil engineers are working to integrate geographic information systems, database management systems, and hydraulic models for wastewater planning and design. This challenge also faces transportation engineers. Control systems, such as traffic signal systems and freeway management systems, play a central role in the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) program. While such systems provide benefit individually, their full benefit is not achieved until they are integrated regionally. Regional integration enables the systems to share information, allowing officials to manage the entire regional transportation system. Planning, designing, and developing integrated systems call for engineers to make sound computing decisions. The two critical areas in these decisions are the systems architecture and open systems design. For example, in ITS a sound regional architecture is needed to guide engineers in fitting individual systems into a regional context. In addition, individual systems must possess documented, publicly available interfaces. This paper addresses these aspects of computing and provides an example of developing integrated regional ITS.