Web-based PMS/GIS-linked application for Sonoma County and MTC
MTC’s Street Talk Pavement Management Magazine features an article on how Farallon Geographics developed a solution for Sonoma County to link its PMS and GIS systems, and create visual maps of distressed road sections so the county could better allocate resources and more effectively maintain road networks.
Farallon worked with Sonoma to develop and deploy a custom Web-based application using open and standard XML architecture, and then created dynamic views through data modeling and testing that allowed GIS information to be shared with the StreetSaver database.
With the new application, edits can be made to StreetSaver data directly from a GIS by clicking on a segment and changing its criteria. Users can see the results of data changes on the map, thus improving road network information and maintenance. PMS data can be viewed spatially, and when changes are made to the PMS database the GIS information is updated simultaneously. The process is called dynamic segmentation.
The application - SonomaMap - had to run a common set of StreetSaver-based reports as well as display a corresponding map for each report. The site architecture had to be flexible in design to accommodate other jurisdictions that would require an integrated Web-based PMS/GIS.
SonomaMap uses Web services to generate map images, authenticate users and retrieve PMS information. The application also provides mapping capabilities such as turning layers on and off, identifying specific features and navigating maps. In addition, it offers access to past, current and projected pavement conditions via its reporting mechanism. Another feature of SonomaMap is that a map highlighting corresponding street sections accompanies each tabular report.