Managing road maintenance using geographic information system application.

Managing road maintenance using geographic information system application. 1. Introduction Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system for mapping andanalyzing any object on earth. It is a way of gathering, storing, andmanaging any type of data with spatial components. GIS data are usuallystored in more than one layer. This is the fundamental aspect of GIS,and working with layers of geographical information is generally knownas data integration. GIS technology integrates powerful databasecapabilities with unique visual perspective of a good old fashioned-map.This makes GIS unique among various information collection systems. Basically, this system utilizes hardware, software, user, andeffective management to collect, store, analyze and present the relatedinformation of a given area on the earth. Even more, it has thecapability to overlap map and provide an information inquiry facilitythat can indirectly create a whole new set of information. Here, dataoutput can be obtained in the form of tables, maps, graph or combinationof this three. The other powerful aspect of GIS is its flexibility inmodeling spatial objects to suit the particular needs of the user orapplication. GIS provides a set of tools or computer programs that allowuser to perform specific operation on the map, assisted by set ofattribute data. This study is conducted in Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang with theobjective to explore the potential of GIS in capturing, storing,updating, retrieving, displaying and printing data to facilitate roaddatabase management. Road maintenance is monitored effectively withinthe district by using the application of ArcView software. This casestudy area is shown in Figure 1 [1]. 1.1. GIS Capabilities GIS consists of four subsystems, namely data acquisition, datamanagement, analysis of data and information output [2]. Some of the GISadvantages are listed as follows: 1) Consists of a central database storing all data related,available and useable to users when required; 2) Promotes data sharing culture and enhances team spirit; 3) Improves data currency, accuracy and consistency of datamaintained; 4) Minimizes data duplication; 5) Performs analyses on spatial and non-spatial components; 6) Has a more effective presentation of data; 7) Data are managed more efficiently; and 8) Increases work productivity particularly in planning andmanaging infrastructures, to produce results from numerous combinationsof data sets [3]. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] 2. Methodology This section will mainly focus on the methodology that involveshandling and managing data. Within the process of data collection, twosets of data are classified; namely spatial and attribute data. Spatialdata are achieved from the output of Global Positioning System (GPS)equipment. Processes involved in this research are illustrated in Figure2. 2.1. Spatial Data Input All data must be in digital format before they can be inserted intoArcView software. These data namely spatial data, mainly focus on thefederal routes, state roads and other road assets, such as bridges,culverts, kilometer posts and signage. To meet the scope of the study,data obtained from the Department of Public Work Headquarters in KualaLumpur and Penang GIS (PEGIS) in Pulau Pinang were edited to enablespatial data to be arranged efficiently. 2.2. Attribute Data Input In this study, softwares used to construct the attributes are theMicrosoft Excel and ArcView. Attribute are mainly for database featuredisplayed [4]. Essentially, attribute tables are constructed in eachsegment and they consist of construction of road centre lines, kilometerposts, signage, bridges and culverts. All field data collection isattach in Table 1. 3. Application and Result ArcView software provides an interactive map display which containsmany themes or groups of similar features [5]. Thus, by activating thoserelated theme, information on the study area can be simply obtained. Alltheme legends are displayed in the form of table content, as in Figure 3. Even so, every feature in these themes has one uniquerecord that describes the feature's characteristics in the form oftheme table format [6]. Then, creating hotlink on theme features willallow users to click on the related theme to display additional data asattached in Figures 4-6. This data can be an image, a text file or adocument. [FIGURE 2 OMITTED] [FIGURE 3 OMITTED] [FIGURE 4 OMITTED] [FIGURE 5 OMITTED] [FIGURE 6 OMITTED] 4. Conclusions The adoption of GIS will lead to a more organized management ofdigital data especially those related to road data. Particularly, thissystem application will also increase work productivity in managing roadmaintenance. Generally, this study has achieved its objectives asdefined. Thus, the conclusions that can be drawn from this study on GISsystem are as follows; 1) It has a capability for a fast data recall with relative ease ofuse, 2) It minimizes wasteful duplication of effort in the collection ofgeospatial information, 3) It can improve data currency, accuracy and consistency of datamaintained [7], 4) It promotes data sharing culture and enhances team spirit, 5) Map data obtained is more secure and better organized [8]. 5. Recommendations It is recommended that this study be pursued particularly in thedevelopment and analysis of road assets management system. To improvethe management of the road maintenance, additional data such as blackspot areas, road side development and other features related to roadmaintenance should be collected to assist in planning, cost reductionand better decision making. doi: 10.4236/jgis.2010.24030 6. Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank the Dean of School of Professional andContinuing Education (UTMSPACE), and Dean of the Faculty of CivilEngineering for their support of this study. Received July 31, 2010; revise September 2, 2010; acceptedSeptember 8, 2010 5. References [1] J. K. R. Malaysia, "Arahan Teknik (Jalan) 2A/85,"Manual On Traffic Control Devices, Public Work Deparment (JKR),Malaysia, 2009 [2] J. D. P. Edrus, "Aplikasi Sistem Maklumat Geografi DalamPengurusan Lubang Jara," GIS Application on Borehole Mangement,Unpublished B.Sc. Thesis, University Technology Malaysia, Skudai, 2005. [3] D. B. Francis, "Aplikasi Sistem Maklumat Geografi DalamPenentuan Kawasan Perlindungan Air Di Tambunan Sabah," GISApplication in Determining Water Protection Area at Tambunan, Sabah,Unpublished B.Sc. Thesis, University Technology Malaysia, Skudai, 2005. [4] M. B. A. Manap, "Determination of Waste Disposal Area inKlang by Using GIS," Unpublished B.Sc. Thesis, UniversityTechnology Mara, Mara, 2005. [5] McGraw-Hill, "GIS Implementation for Water and WastewaterTreatment Facilities," WEF Manual of Practice No. 26, 2004. [6] Meor Othman Hamzah, Asri Hassan and Mohamed Rehan Karim,"Reka Bentuk Jalan Raya Untuk Jurutera," Road Design forEngineers, Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, 2001. [7] Norkhair Ibrahim and Zulkifli Majid, "Prinsip SistemMaklumat Geografi," Principal of Geographic Information System,Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2002. [8] Ruslan Rainis and Noresah Mohd Shariff, "Sistem MaklumatGeografi," Geographic Information System, Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka,1998. Mohd Zulkifli B. Mohd Yunus, Hamidah Bt. Hassan School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE), UniversitiTeknologi Malaysia, Skudai Johor, Malaysia E-mail: mzul@spaceutm.edu.myTable 1. Attribute table.Database Road Km Posts Signage Bridges/ Culverts Seg_id Seg_id Route_No Seg_id Seg_id Struc_No Road_Name Route_No Route No Struc_Type Lane_Length Section_No Type Location Lane_Width Primary_Dest Date _Instll Route_No No_ Lane Distance Sign_Code Yr_Built Rd_Class Sec_ Destination Sign_Desc Length Pav_Type Distance Status Width Status Status District Status District District State District State State Image State Image Image Image