The Situation
At the inception of this project, the Navajo Department of Transportation (NDOT) was losing funding for road maintenance at an alarming rate. This was due to the fact that they did not have data for a large percentage of their roads, the data they did have was incomplete, and the process and tools required for generating maps and reports required for submission to the Bureau of Indian Affairs were lacking.
Our Solutions
Partnership with Eagle Point
DTS teamed with Eagle Point to provide a complete solution to the Navajo Nation Department of Transportation. This solution included installing a new GPS network that would enable NDOT and other Navajo Nation agencies to collect highly accurate spatial data and information. The team also provided vehicles equipped with rugged computers and GPS receivers. In addition to this hardware, the Eagle Point / DTS team created IRRIS (Indian Reservation Roadway Information System). IRRIS is a series of applications and tools that will allow NDOT staff to more efficiently collect, store, query, and manipulate data for roadway features. Tools were developed to automate the production of required reports and map products.
The team also spent a significant effort reviewing NDOT’s current data to identify roads that were only missing minor pieces of information. This first phase of data review was focused on cleaning up existing data and creating products that would quickly make existing system roads eligible for funding.
The second phase will involve the collection of data in the filed for the thousands of miles of roads that had never been inventoried.
Public Involvement
DTS personnel produced a 15-minute video designed to inform the Navajo people about the Roadway Inventory Project and how it will benefit the Navajo Nation. DTS worked closely with the Navajo DOT as they completed all phases of the video production including: on-site video of the Navajo Nation, interviews, editing, music selection, and script content. The video includes statements about the project from Navajo DOT personnel and other officials, speaking in both English and Navajo languages. 500 DVDs were delivered for distribution. A trailer of the video was shown at the Navajo Nation Fair and will be shown in all chapterhouses throughout the Navajo Nation. DTS also created 40,000 print brochures which were distributed across the nation to provide a simple overview of the project.
GIS Data Creation
The red lines represent a portion of Navajo roads that DTS has digitized.
As the project began, it became clear that a new, accurate centerline would be critical to success. Available centerline data for the Nation showed fewer than 30,000 miles of roads.
DTS acquired 2006 one-meter digital orthophotos from the States of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico for the extraction effort. All roads were digitized and delivered to NDOT in the first quarter of 2007. The final deliverable contained over 70,000 miles of roads and trails. This new centerline will be the basis for future inventory work and all transportation management activities. Outside of NDOT, this dataset will be useful for public safety and emergency response.
IRRIS (Indian Reservation Roadway Inventory System)
IRRIS is a web-based database application that is designed to allow the Navajo Department of Transportation to efficiently update, manage and administer pertinent roadway information from a centralized and secure location.
IRRIS provides users with access to roadway information through an intuitive and simple to use interface. The system incorporates extensive use of web-based Data Management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies and includes features such as data entry, data validation & editing, filtering, field data synchronization, ad-hoc reporting and document management. In addition the system was designed to automatically produce properly formatted inventory reports and strip map documents, which is a requirement of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Roadway Information Field Data System (RIFDS).
Training
Upon completion of the system, The Eagle Point / DTS team performed several rounds of training. This included training on the use of the field application for data collection and the office application for data validation, querying, analysis, and product generation.
The Results
The initial phase of reviewing data and updating maps and reports resulted in a significant increase in funding to NDOT for 2007 (over 30% increase). This was accomplished by moving all the roadway data into IRRIS and utilizing the query and analysis tools. The team was able to increase the funding and as important, bring the quality of the database up to a more useable level.
For 2008, the Eagle Point / DTS team has provided the tools and process flows to make field data collection more efficient and the generation of required data products an automated process.
The increase in funding is significant because it allws NDOT to better maintain their current roads. This has a huge impact on the overall community:
- Planning, construction and maintenance of roads will be done more effectively
- Better roads mean safer travel to shop and obtain services needed by families
- An improved transportation infrastructure will foster economic development
- Health and social services providers will reach their clientele faster and easier
- School bus routes will be improved to enhance educational opportunities for kids
- It will be easier for public safety, fire departments, and other emergency personnel to locate and reach people.
The inventory system is the first step for NDOT moving to a true enterprise planning and transportation management system. It provides the necessary tools and foundation for future growth.
