Announcements
Session 236
Transportation Information Revolution: The World at Your Doorstep
Monday, January 22, 2007, 8:00 AM - 9:45 AM, Hilton
Christi Powers, Library Connectivity Pooled Fund, presiding
Maggie Sacco, Library Connectivity Pooled Fund, presiding
Sponsored by:
Library and Information Science for Transportation Committee (ABG40)
The Internet has transformed the way decision-makers and practitioners meet transportation challenges. In today’s Information Age access to accurate, timely and relevant transportation research and information can mean the difference between saving time, money and even lives. We have come to expect instant access to the latest knowledge on any topic but studies show that only 30 percent of available information can be accessed online. The way transportation information is captured, cataloged, formatted and stored affects how it is retrieved, used and applied. This session presents perspectives from a DOT secretary, state traffic engineer and geotechnical practitioner on how improved access to relevant information helps save time and money in project delivery. You will also hear accounts from a transportation librarian and DOT research manager that improving access to relevant and credible transportation information is helping to create a national transportation knowledge network.
Management and Leadership Perspective
Douglas B. MacDonald, Washington State Department of Transportation
Informed Decision-making (P07-0806)
Although transportation information and knowledge management has become a strategic organizational asset, current practices reveal an ad hoc and decentralized approach in meeting those needs. As transportation leaders and decision-makers continue to face challenges in the Information Age, a DOT secretary will provide his views on the importance of better managing and utilizing transportation information and research.
Developing a Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Data Management System for Transportation Applications
Kirk Beach, Ohio Department of Transportation
Engineer Perspective (P07-0041)
Geotechnical engineers continue to deal with complicated projects amid reduced staffing and budget shortfalls. In meeting these challenges, practitioners have used technology transfer methods for geotechnical projects. New initiatives have begun to better organize and access global subsurface investigation data, manage geotechnical assets and mitigate geologic hazards, In this presentation, you will learn about an Ohio DOT pooled fund project that is saving millions of dollars. The database of geotechnical information will be accessible to a variety of transportation practitioners through a standard geotechnical data interchange format consisting of a data dictionary and XML schema.
Applying Knowledge Management Solutions to Emerging Traffic Engineering Challenges
John M. Corbin, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Engineer Perspective (P07-0039)
State traffic engineers are facing unprecedented demands for highly innovative solutions in areas such as emergency traffic management, traffic safety and transportation security. Success or failure in meeting these challenges will depend on the effectiveness with which we manage data, information and knowledge – within our state borders (across county and municipal jurisdictions), and across our borders. If we don’t learn to effectively apply information technology and knowledge management tools to traffic and operations problems, we will run the risk of becoming irrelevant as state agencies.
Making Information Accessible Beyond the Internet
Jerome C. Baldwin, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Transportation Librarian Perspective (P07-0040)
The Internet provides both challenges and benefits to librarians attempting to provide efficient access to relevant transportation information. By taking advantage of today’s tools, transportation officials and practitioners can improve dissemination of and access to information resources. In this presentation a 35-year veteran of transportation libraries will explain current methods, procedures and practices in effectively meeting information needs.
DOT Research Manager Perspective
Leni Oman, Washington State Department of Transportation
Improving Transportation Information (P07-0038)
Transportation practitioners require instantaneous access to state-of-the art research and information on a variety of topics. State transportation research managers strive for innovative best practices to meet shifting customer expectations. In this presentation you will hear a vision for developing and sustaining a robust research program that offers current, relevant and user-friendly information tools that will help build a safe and cost effective transportation infrastructure.