With the growing demands imposed on our transportation infrastructure, state and local transportation agencies require capable, efficient solutions to enable them to resolve problems and make informed decisions with confidence. To meet these needs, transportation administrators increasingly depend on the unmatched potential of GIS and their ability to organize, display and facilitate complete analysis of vast amounts of information. Having digital parcel maps available with detailed property information just a mouse click away opens up the door to a whole new way of managing right of way projects.

Observing this trend and seeking to take advantage of the opportunities in GIS integration, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) began examining its potential in the right of way process by involving a panel of experts to monitor the research of current and future possibilities. As a division of the National Research Council, the board’s mission is to promote innovation and progress in transportation through research. The independent advisory group focuses on all modes of transportation, and provides an objective and interdisciplinary setting where it initiates and manages research projects in order to share information on transportation policy and programs. With support at both the federal and state level, the board widely disseminates the research results, offering expert advice while promoting technical excellence.

Recently, We had the distinct pleasure of chairing a TRB project panel that focused its efforts on future progress, specifically working to identify the problems and challenges presented within the right of way sector, and providing research funding to address these problems. While the panel’s findings confirmed the enormously valuable role of GIS within the realm of transportation, the research has also shown that few organizations have been able to fully capitalize on the potential of GIS integration. Like many concepts and processes rooted in technology, progress is often met with the initial challenges of hardware and software changes, system-wide standardization, and a need for education and training. With the rising rate of retirement within the industry, the evaporating knowledge pool makes the need for increased understanding even more vital. In some instances, a general shortage of knowledge regarding GIS capabilities makes the task of integration seem more complex and can unfairly outweigh the immense value, usefulness and functionality available.

Several difficulties may stand between a transportation agency and its successful use of GIS technology, including:

• Insufficient funding
• Complex multi-departmental organizations
• Disconnected systems or “stovepipe” systems
• Evaporating knowledge pool
• Lack of data integrity and standardization
• Lack of trained GIS resources

Recognizing these difficulties, it became clear that the transportation industry requires a comprehensive solution for GIS integration that incorporates data and system standardization, uncomplicated multi-user functionality and practical capability without excessive software and hardware changes. Flairsoft., developer of the FlairdocsTM for Transportation Right of Way Management System, recognized the critical need within this sector and is now working collaboratively with several transportation agencies to implement solutions that acknowledge the current state of the industry.