Data Integration of Pavement Markings: A Case in Transportation Asset Management

Abstract

Effective transportation asset management requires the implementation of tools such as software, hardware, databases, and data collection systems. Pavement markings make up one component in transportation asset management, which are complex networks that require large databases. Typically these databases are maintained in different areas within an agency and are most often incompatible. Combining new and old tools, this paper addresses the need for better data integration and utilization while incorporating current information technologies. Specifically, this paper presents integrated transportation asset management system for estimating the current and future condition of pavement markings. The paper describes the data structure, in the form of a physical model, integrating a pavement marking relational data schema with existing information technology systems. Software was found to be useful in developing the data schema. The software produced an extensible markup language file that is compatible with a variety of existing database structures such as Oracle, SQL, and MS Access. Additionally, the system included an algorithm, which implements the data structure and predictive models to estimate the condition of the asset at any point in time or space on the highway system. Using either measured data or predicted data the system gives managers an opportunity to decide on the best possible condition state of the asset and perform queries or optimizations. Ultimately, managers can develop cost effective strategies for pavement marking asset management.