John CherneyWisconsin Dept. of Transportation LibraryAASHTO RAC TKN Task ForceOct. 1, 2009

Increasing Data Access:Librarian as Data Broker at WisDOT

Why did this happen?

Repeated customer requests for same information.

Frustrated researchers could not access internal WisDOT information.

Remnants of Data Integration efforts.

State Highway Programs Attribute Catalog

Internal WisDOT database – Microsoft Access.

Includes information on seven different data systems.

Librarian named a ‘data broker’ for this information.

Librarian has own copy and uses database to answer basic questions.

State Highway Programs Attribute Catalog

home screen, dropdown menu, report example …

State Highway Programs Attribute Catalog

data catalog example …

Highway Structures Information System

External WisDOT database – Oracle.

Resides on WisDOT extranet; difficult to navigate

Integrates data from WisDOT and Google (for mapping).

Great ‘data mining’ example; contains a wealth of information

Highway Structures Information System

home screen …

Highway Structures Information System

a few features …

Highway Structures Information System

advanced search features …

Highway Structures Information Systemdocuments …

WisDOT Traffic Counts & Rustic Roads

Repeated customer requests; occupied staff time.

Involved IT Bureau, Data Management Section, Office of Public Affairs, Scenic Byways Coordinator and Library.

Library created Web sites and added meta data.

Downloads and lack of phone calls/email requests indicate HUGE SUCCESS!

WisDOT Traffic Counts & Rustic Roadshome pages …

WisDOT Traffic Counts & Rustic Roads

navigation features …

WisDOT Traffic Counts & Rustic Roads

map examples …

basic, but standard metadata …

WisDOT Acronym Database

Internal database – data entry in Microsoft Access – connected to intranet with Oracle

‘Donated’ to the Library.

Library is data steward.

Library is responsible for access and maintenance.

WisDOT Acronym Database

Oracle connection for Web …

intranet home page …

WisDOT Acronym Database

search feature …

Online pathfinder to transportation statistical, annual and performance reports.

Launched August, 2009. Collaboration space for MoDOT analysts.

Involves librarian (A.J. Million, Missouri DOT) as a data host/conduit as well as a provider of searching expertise.

Hosted on secure portion of MTKN Web site.

Uses Content Management System software (Drupal) to engage practitioners to collaborate, provide content.

DOT State Measures – Missouri DOT

DOT State Measures – Missouri DOT

home page,data example …

Conclusion and next steps …

Create department-wide data catalog/guide

Update Extranet User’s Guide

Well worth the effort!!

old extranet guide …