As a basis for advancing sound decision making, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is committed to developing high-quality transportation data and information. With the understanding that geospatial data provide an important infrastructure for managing and integrating information necessary for informed decision making, BTS asked the Transportation Research Board to conduct a project to provide recommendations for improving geospatial information infrastructure among and across all modes of transportation. The objectives of this project were to (a) characterize the current practice in geospatial information technologies in transportation organizations; (b) identify problems and opportunities in coordination, communication, and cooperation on geospatial information among transportation modes; (c) suggest mechanisms for the development, management, and coordination of geospatial information technologies throughout USDOT; and (d) recommend approaches for enhancing geospatial information within transportation organizations. The intent is to provide recommendations to transportation agencies, primarily at the federal level but also at the state and local levels, to enhance decision making through rethinking institutional roles and responsibilities; building capacity and commitment; and augmenting the creation, sharing, and use of geospatial information. To prepare this report, the committee drew on information presented at three workshops held in three cities during 2002 and on committee research and deliberations during and after the workshops. The workshops were cosponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The first workshop, held in Chicago in May 2002, examined the role of geospatial data in the project delivery process. The second workshop, held in Seattle in June 2002, focused on safety, security, and mobility. In each of these workshops, committee members provided background material on the state of the art, and speakers presented subject matter on the use of geospatial technology related to their mode, organization, and discipline. The third workshop, held in Washington, D.C., in October 2002, reviewed current activities of the modal administrations within USDOT in using the Global Positioning System, geographic information systems, and remote sensing to make decisions. Representatives of each modal administration were invited to present their perspectives. All three workshops included ample time for discussion of the issues through breakout sessions designed to provide feedback to the committee. The committee met in December 2002 to review the workshop results and draft a summary report to address the mission and objectives of the project. This document is the result of that meeting. The report commences with an executive summary, which briefly summarizes the importance of geospatial information in decision making and the recommendations resulting from this project. This is followed by a presentation of selected current practices, trends in decision-making tools, and a detailed discussion of the committee’s findings and recommendations. The report concludes with a call to action to all decision makers to take responsibility for ensuring that decisions are made with the best information possible. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting