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Revised 10/12 1

GPS Management-1

Development of an Agency-wide GPS Technology Management

Plan

GIS-T 2012

Jeff BarnettInner Corridor Technologies, Inc.

Houston, Texas

GPS Management-2

Introduction

Issues surrounding GPS technology management

A sample study

Study results

The management plan based upon the study

Lessons Learned


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GPS Management-3

The Issues

GPS technology has been increasingly used by many organizations without uniform standards or management plan.

It is commonly unknown within an agency who is using GPS, and for what purposes.

– Many different kinds of GPS units in the field

– Many different procedures for using the equipment

– Many different uses and data

– Many different (or non-existent) standards

Can’t support, can’t train, can’t manage

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The Study

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) & Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC)

– 2011 Study to develop a GPS technology management plan

– Compare to evolution and adoption of computers.

The current state of GPS adoption needed to be assessed and compared with current best practices as defined by:

– internal users,

– other large agencies,

– the overall GPS industry

• Used literature review, surveys, & interviews.


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GPS Management-5

The Study

Literature review

– Searching for publications about GPS management plans

• Many studies and papers about GPS technology

• Some published practices and standards

• Nothing related to GPS management

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The Study

Everybody using a GPS takes surveys on how GPS used

– Exception of surveyors and PDA users

Evaluate use compared with “Best Practices”

Create plan for LADOTD GPS

– Procurement

– Management

– Training

– Support


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GPS Management-7

The Study

GPS Management-8

The Study

Four parts to the internal survey

– Users

• Training, frequency, devices, proficiency, comfort level

– User Groups

• Devices, standards, procedures, management, support

– Devices

• Make & model, OS, settings, capabilities, satisfaction

• Fit for use, maintenance, management

– Data

• What & why, specific application, correction methods

• Loading process, standards, formats


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GPS Management-9

The Study

From internal survey hoping to find:

– Scope of GPS use in LADOTD

– Inventory of known GPS equipment

– Census of current GPS users

– Conceptual map of data flow from field to database

– Understanding of GPS needs including level of use

– Internal practices to determine “best” practices

GPS Management-10

The Study

From external surveys and GPS industry meetings, seeking:

– Management practices

– Support systems for users

– Training and certification

– Satisfaction with current GPS operations

– Known GPS management plans

Many organizations doing many of these things but not set into a comprehensive GPS technology management plan.


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Survey Results

LADOTD Mapping grade GPS uses

– Road Inventory

– Facilities and landscape maintenance

– Environmental and archeological sites

– Levee inspection

GPS Management-12

Survey Results

LADOTD Recreational grade GPS uses

– Outdoor advertising permits

– Water well permits

– Driveways permits

– ROW borings

– Borrow pits

– Railroad crossings

– Bridge Inspection

– Utility location

– Accident reports


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GPS Management-13

Survey Results

GPS Management-14

Survey Results

LADOTD Mapping grade users

– Varying undocumented procedures, standards

– Maintenance by breakdown

– Good but aging equipment

– No internal support system

Need better support, training and standards


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GPS Management-15

Survey Results

LADOTD Recreational grade users

– No user standards or procedures

– Response to need in paper forms

– Maintenance by trashcan

Needs

– Proper equipment

– Training

– Procedures

– Support

GPS Management-16

Best Practices

Current best practices as defined by:

– Internal users (practices and standards from surveys)

– Other large agencies (Outside LADOTD surveys)

– The overall GPS industry (interviews with industry reps)

Found that GPS technology management practice varied by size.

– Large agencies, committees, managers, published standards

– Small agencies, “the way we do it” (less formal – less need)


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GPS Management-17

Best Practices

Industry representatives highly in favor of better management practices.

– Better client relations

– Hosted management sites

– Higher overall user satisfaction with GPS

– Less “issues” they have to deal with

GPS Management-18

The Plan for LADOTD

Oversight

– GPS Committee

– GPS Coordinator

Equipment

– Standard GPS devices, at least 1 per district office (9)

– Easier to train, support, and share

Operational GPS practices and standards

– Establish by GPS committee

– Guidelines for all uses, data and training


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GPS Management-19

Lessons Learned

Technology Happens

– GIS

– Internet

– LIDAR

– Cloud computing

Experiments become practices – GPS has become a practice

– Control and manage (best practices) that change

• “change is inevitable, surprise is optional”

– Someone has to be responsible for that new toy

GPS Management-20

Lessons Learned

There is value in establishing and documenting a GPS technology management plan.

– Adopt an overall organizational approach to GPS

A GPS technology master plan will save money in the long run

– Procurement Get the right equipment, and not too much

– Management Less time battling the unknown

– Training Uniformity of training and practices

– Support Uniform systems, able to share in a pinch


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GPS Management-21

Lessons Learned

Make a management plan that fits

– Uses and needs of GPS

• Who collects what and how often

• What should we be doing with GPS

– Organizational structure

Use the proper equipment

– Recreational vs. mapping vs. survey grade devices

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Acknowledgements

Gretchen Hartley, Trimble Navigation Limited

Jason Hooten, Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.

Rayward Chung, Trimble Navigation New Zealand Limited

Michael W. Harvey, Leica Geosystems

John Florio, Juniper Systems

Eric Bock, Navigation Electronics, Inc.

Darryl Zercher, Texas Department of Transportation

Greg Smithart, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality


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GPS Management-23

Acknowledgements

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

– Dr. Jim Mitchell

– Kurt Johnson

Louisiana Transportation Research Center

– Dr. Zhongjie Zhang

http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2012/fr_489.pdf

(LTRC Project No. 11-2P)

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