Modernization of Iowa Transportation Program Management System TR-726

The research aspect of this project will consist of cataloging, evaluating and optimization of operations. It will explore the processes via which Iowa Local Public Agency transportation projects are chosen, programmed, prepared and delivered, with the goal of optimizing the utilization of human resources. The project will also seek to replace exchanges of documents for review/approval with actually storing the document data online and facilitating performance of processing/review steps within the application itself. Phases I and II will seek to acquire a multi-layered understanding of underlying business processes, user decision and perception patterns, function delivery, and technical needs. In Phase III, as an operations research effort, the project will seek to fulfill the Iowa Code 310.35 objective of “the more efficient use of funds and materials that are available for the construction and maintenance of secondary roads” by providing road agencies with on-line process and communications tools that minimize engineering staff time that must be spent on the programming, budgeting, and development tasks involved. The deficiencies of the legacy code and design will be addressed, security will be enhanced to meet modern threat levels, the code will become capable of functioning on a larger slate of devices, and support integrated submittal/review/update processing. By improving process efficiency, the modernized system will, consistent with the intent of the FHWA’s “Make Every Day Count” initiative, help reduce the cost and time required to deliver bid ready projects for public benefit. TPMS modernization will be performed in four phases. During Phase I, the Principal Investigator will seek out representatives of the various user groups, (county engineers, cities, planning agencies, DOT – [Local Systems, Program Management, Systems Planning, District Local Systems staff, District Planners], RPA & MPO planning agencies, FHWA personnel, and design consultants), to learn how they are using TPMS tools, what’s going well, what needs improvement, and what new functionality would be desired. There will also be a forensic review of existing TPMS code, to capture business rules implicitly established via code patches made over the last 14 years. Data back-up methods and sites will also be re-evaluated.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $405365
• Contract Numbers:

  TR-726

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010
• Managing Organizations:

  Iowa County Engineers Association

  , IA  United States  50011
• Start Date: 20170801
• Expected Completion Date: 20200930
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data storage; Human resources management; Modernization; Optimization; Program management; Project management; Transportation system management
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01691626
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Iowa Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: TR-726
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 28 2019 12:42PM