In 2018, the Department of Roads and Transportation (R&T) in Jefferson County, Alabama, hired Collier Engineering to improve their asset inventory data for storm drainage/cross culvert infrastructure, roadway signage, and guardrails.  The updated infrastructure GIS data will then be utilized to update R&T's current asset management software.  Now, R&T will be better prepared to plan and implement maintenance and anticipate budgetary requirements for the future. 

To ascertain R&T's assets, Collier Engineering's GIS Department utilized ESRI ArcGIS products to streamline the data collection process. ArcGIS Online WebMaps was created to house the data so field technicians could report asset conditions and locations in real-time. Using the ArcGIS Collector and Survey123 field apps, technicians were able to submit inspection forms for predetermined and nonpredetermined assets in the field directly to published WebMaps. Then, Collier's GIS personnel were able to start the QA/QC process immediately.

At the end of the project, Collier will deliver a new asset geodatabase to R&T containing all collected assets and their conditions and assist in developing a maintenance plan. Which, in turn, will further update the data in R&T's asset management system.

CULVERTS

When inspecting culverts, Collier field technicians followed AASHTO guidelines which consist of a 4-level condition rating system. As part of the AASHTO guidelines, the road surface, shoulder, embankment, end treatments, barrel, channel, and water flow adequacy were reviewed. The inspection form was also tailored to meet R&T's needs by assessing culvert length, barrel material and diameter, end treatment type, and any deficiencies. Images of these assets were captured during the inspection, and all data was published directly to the live WebMap. In addition, any undocumented culverts not previously in R&T's database were assessed and added to the map. If any safety concerns were identified during the inspection, Collier immediately brought these instances to the attention of R&T. 

SIGNS

The sign inspection survey was based on requirements outlined in MUTCD standards, including photos and information capturing the sign's condition. The inspection included attribute information regarding post type, sign type, sign height and lateral distance from the edge of pavement or face of curb, installation date, sign height and width, and sign facing direction. A subset of signs across the county was also assessed for retroreflectivity. 

GUARDRAIL

The guardrail inspection survey was based on R&T's current work order structure and ALDOT typical drawings. The inspection includes attribute information and condition assessment based on a 3-level ranking system, where minimal damage is aesthetic, moderate is functional, and severe is non-functional. Guardrail attributes assessed include, but are not limited to, rail, post, block out and end treatment types, rail length and height, post spacing, splice locations, shoulder width, and images documenting each.