Data Integration: Key to Practice of Asset Management
The practice of Transportation Asset Management, a strategic approach
to managing infrastructure, involves the gathering, retrieval, storage,
analysis, and communication of enormous quantities of data. This data
is needed to monitor and report on the condition and performance of
a transportation system's inventory, develop performance objectives
and measures, identify investment strategies, and conduct value assessments
for different types of assets. For a highway agency to carry out these
tasks and determine the best way to allocate limited resources, the
data needs to be both comprehensive and consistent. "A common,
consolidated set of data provides an agency the ability to make well-informed,
cost-effective Asset Management decisions," says Madeleine Bloom,
Director of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Office of
Asset Management.
The key to successful Asset Management is readily accessible and
comparable data. However, in many highway agencies the necessary data
exists in separate databases. When this situation is present, the
identification and selection of the most appropriate investment strategies
may not be realized. Data integration can improve accessibility and
comparability either by storing all of the data in a single data warehouse
or by linking databases through a computer network.
Bringing or linking together the data used by existing management
systems has proved to be challenging, however, as most current systems
have a restricted capability for data exchange. Thus, data integration
strategies have been implemented by only a few transportation agencies,
and these applications have been limited in scope. Much information
and guidance is needed to address the technical and other organizational
challenges involved in data integration.
To respond to this need, FHWA's Office of Asset Management has published
a Data Integration Primer and a Glossary of Data Integration Terms.
To obtain copies, contact the Office of Asset Management at 202-366-9242
(fax: 202-366-9981). In addition, a collection of case studies on
State highway agency data integration experiences is being developed.
These publications will provide agencies with information on:
FHWA and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO) will also be holding a Data Integration Forum and
Peer Exchange on December 12-13, 2001, in Chicago, Illinois (see sidebar).
The forum will provide participants with an overview of the state-of-the-practice
in data integration, as well as the opportunity to share their experiences
in this area.
For more information on data integration or the upcoming forum, contact
Roemer Alfelor at FHWA, 202-366-9242 (fax: 202-366-9981; email: roemer.alfelor@fhwa.dot.gov).
Transportation professionals from across the country
will have the opportunity to learn more about integrating and
sharing data at the Data Integration Forum and Peer Exchange:
Bringing Databases Together for Asset Management, scheduled for
December 12-13, 2001, in Chicago, Illinois. Sponsored by FHWA
and AASHTO, the forum will highlight ongoing data integration
efforts and individual State experiences. Key presentation and
discussion areas will include:
- Integration
requirements
- Legacy
databases
- Alternative
tools and technologies
- Data
standards
- Reference
systems.
For
more information, contact Roemer Alfelor at FHWA, 202-366-9242
(fax: 202-366-9981; email: roemer.alfelor@fhwa.dot.gov).
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Other
articles in this issue:
A
new approach for construction workforce training and certification
Keeping
good roads good
The
next generation of technology
Reaping
the benefits of the LTPP investment
Data
integration: Key to practice of asset management
Highway
technology calendar
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