Data Model and Web Mapping Tool to Locate Utility Installations along Highway Corridors

Transportation agencies interact and exchange data with companies that operate utilities within the highway right-of-way (ROW). Unfortunately, obtaining up-to-date, compatible geo-referenced information from utility companies is frequently challenging. This makes the process of incorporating utility data into the transportation agency's own data management systems difficult. This paper describes a prototype utility data model that documents utilities located within the highway ROW. The paper also describes the architecture of a web mapping tool that allows existing and proposed utility installations to be displayed on widely used browsers. The tool can be implemented as a standalone application or as part of typical utility-related business processes at the transportation agency. In the current version, the web mapping tool supports online utility permit applications.