Data Model and Guidelines for Managing Engineering Design Data in a GIS Environment (0-5246-S)

This project summary report summarizes the research performed in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-5246. During the project development process (PDP), districts produce enormous amounts of engineering data in a variety of formats with varying levels of accuracy and resolution on several types of storage media. These data are a valuable asset, and TxDOT has begun to implement strategies to ensure the usability and integrity of the data. The purpose of this research was to develop a prototype engineering design data model (EDDM) and guidelines for managing engineering data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment during the PDP. Researchers reviewed engineering design data management practices at TxDOT; reviewed practices at other state departments of transportation and government agencies in Texas; developed conceptual, logical, and physical data model components for EDDM; tested EDDM using data from sample projects using offline and online testing environments; and developed recommendations for implementation. The development of the prototype engineering data model followed a number of requirements for data integration, compatibility with existing TxDOT information systems, and a focus on architecture and not the graphical user interface. The research resulted in several recommendations for EDDM implementation, the project development process, handling of CAD documents, FileNet implementation, and GIS practices.