User Conference 2003 - Special Achievement in GIS

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Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

Enterprise-wide deployment of GIS including training, software installation, Internet and Intranet data access and services, and a GIS Data Warehouse emphasizing direct access into Departmental DB2 databases.

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Business Problem

LADOTD is responsible for all state and federal highways, intermodal transportation, all transportation planning, environmental impact assessment, road and bridge design, construction, and maintenance, as well as flood control projects, water wells, and other aspects of water resources. In emergency operations (hurricanes, floods, ice storms, etc.), DOTD plays a critical role, collecting and disseminating information on the status of the transportation system to the public and emergency managers across the state, especially emergency evacuation routes. All of the data DOTD maintains are spatial in nature and require handling and analysis, as such.

The GIS Group, within the Information Technology Section, plays a central role in providing mission-critical information to Departmental staff, government officials, and the public. These include data such as bridge and road inventory, accident information, statewide water well inventory, dam safety program, construction projects, projects to be let, projects to be designed, maintenance projects, and flood control projects, among others. Much of these data are in IBM mainframe DB2 databases. The GIS Group has provided map-based interfaces on the Intranet and Internet, into these databases, increasing user access. Previously, users were required to access data through programs or mainframe terminals. Users now have spatial analysis and maps at their desktop.

Technology Implemented

Enterprise data are maintained on an IBM mainframe in DB2 databases. GIS users have ArcGIS version 8.3, installed locally, in a WINDOWS 2000 environment. IBM DB2 and SAS are also used to support data management and analysis needs. CADD data are maintained using Bentley’s Microstation software. Enterprise servers include an IBM data warehouse server with four 1.9 GHz processors, 8 Gb of RAM, and 200+ Gb storage area network, using WINDOWS 2000 Enterprise Server and ArcSDE/DB2. Internet and Intranet servers are dual-processors 1.5 GHz IBM servers running ArcIMS 4.0.1 and NewAtlanta’s ServletExec. Data are networked, statewide via finer optics.

Development Team Biography

James E. Mitchell, Ph. D. Hydrology and Water Resources, M.S. Biology, B.S. Biological Sciences – GIS Manager. Joined DOTD from Louisiana State University faculty in 2001. Background: environmental data management, analysis, and GIS. Responsible for all GIS policies, management, and development.

W. Neil Hohmann, M.S. Mapping Science, B.S. Geology – Senior GIS Support Analyst. Joined DOTD in 2002 from GIS-USA (founding partner). Background: oil and gas industry, municipal GIS, and data management. Responsible for user support and user training.

Jacqui P. Sanchez – GIS Technical Specialist. Career DOTD employee. Joined DOTD in 1980. Background: data processing, CADD, WWW, and GIS. Responsible for user support, websites, and CADD support.

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