Project Funding Application and Database Upgrades Help Make MPO Best in Class

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CLIENT: Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Municipal Planning Organization (DCHC MPO)
LOCATION: Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties

CHALLENGE

The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC) Municipal Planning Organization’s (MPO) existing eTIP web application had performance and loading problems as well as user experience issues stemming from the management of the datasets feeding the application. The agency needed to enhance the eTIP web application, with the goals of providing a map-centric application and increasing data transparency throughout the transportation planning process.

SOLUTION

GeoDecisions designed and implemented database changes needed to accommodate transportation plan data, and developed scripts to load existing data into the updated database, establishing relationships between the various programs. We worked closely with the MPO to determine what additional spatial data should be tied to transportation improvement plan project records based on available GIS data sets and specific GIS attributes. The result was a robust, easier to manage database and associated spatial database. This data is now exposed via a map-based user interface serving as a publicly transparent gateway to project data for all project types in the updated eTIP application.

The MPO also asked GeoDecisions to continue enhancement efforts on the eTIP application to improve workflows and streamline staff and local partner activities. Enabling the use of Microsoft Power BI (Business Intelligence) services, our team designed improved dynamic querying and report capabilities within the system. We developed a system to provide notifications to users wishing to “follow” projects of interest, enhancing public transparency. Our team also worked to reduce the manual steps required to keep the weekly project obligations update up to date and in-sync by automating that process within the application.

KEY TECHNOLOGY

  • Database: Microsoft SQL Server 2012

  • GIS Server: ArcGIS Server 10.2

  • Web Server Tech: Microsoft ASP.NET MVC 5.2.2

  • Front-end map: ArcGIS API for JavaScript 4.9

  • JavaScript library: jQuery 1.10

  • Microsoft Power BI

KEY RESULTS

  • Provides the MPO, local planning partners, and residents with the information they need to stay aware of upcoming transportation planning projects in the MPO area.

  • Improved dynamic querying and report capabilities within the system.

  • Reduced manual steps required to keep the weekly project obligations update up to date and in-sync.