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Easily map projects with our integrated GIS module.

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are critical to modern transportation planning. They provide the spatial context necessary for informed decision-making, help agencies visualize infrastructure investments, and support collaboration across jurisdictions.

EcoInteractive’s ProjectTracker is used by state DOTs and Metropolitan Planning Organizations across 29 states to more effectively manage their STIP, TIP, and other capital plans and programs. 

One way that ProjectTracker contributes to more efficient transportation planning is by connecting mapping and GIS information with other provided information to create a comprehensive view of projects within a plan, supporting a public website, and ensuring the location of projects is well understood by all stakeholders.

GIS module for transportation improvement program software

Common GIS Challenges

Limited GIS Expertise or Resources 

  • Many GIS platforms are not user-friendly, making it difficult for agencies to collaborate and manage data efficiently.
  • Some lack dedicated GIS staff or technical capacity to handle complex spatial information.
  • Even with GIS professionals on staff, limited bandwidth due to competing priorities often hampers progress.

Version Control & Data Integrity

  • Synchronizing mapped features with project data is difficult when information is stored in disconnected systems.
  • When the person most familiar with the project can’t supply the correct geometry, projects risk being inaccurately mapped.
  • As projects evolve, disconnected updates make it hard to verify that GIS data is up to date and reliable.

Public Display & Accessibility

  • Agencies often struggle to present GIS data in ways that are intuitive for public or stakeholder use.
  • Creating and maintaining separate, interactive public maps can be complex and time consuming.
  • Without easy tools, public-facing maps may lag behind, misrepresenting the current status of plans.

LRS Integration & Event Mapping

  • DOTs commonly use Linear Referencing Systems (LRS) to define roadway networks and asset locations.
  • Mapping to LRS can be difficult, especially when project locations change, leading to data mismatches.
  • When segments are updated or removed, projects may end up mapped to outdated or invalid references.

GIS in ProjectTracker

EcoInteractive believes that GIS is a core component of effective transportation planning and programming. A core feature of ProjectTracker is to create an accessible tool that allows users with the most knowledge of projects the ability to identify the appropriate locations, then allow those locations to be used across your technology infrastructure through import/export features or with out of the box integrations.

Import & Export of Shapefiles

ProjectTracker features a shapefile export tool which allows users to easily extract geometries from ProjectTracker on demand. Tied into ProjectTracker’s reporting features, users have access to all available filters to select a subset of locations, or the full set of locations for a plan.

Additionally, administrators have access to a shapefile import tool, allowing them to quickly import existing GIS data for projects already in ProjectTracker.  

This is helpful for a number of reasons. If you have a dedicated GIS team, they can manage the project shapefiles if needed and then import them in bulk to ProjectTracker. Additionally, if you’re tracking project geography in ProjectTracker, the data can be export to other systems for further analysis, adding additional data layers, etc. 

ProjectTracker's seamless ArcGIS integration

Automated Integration of Project Geometries 

Beyond the ad-hoc import/export capabilities, ProjectTracker can also be set up with a live integration to ArcGIS. This integration allows for either the automated import of project geometries from ArcGIS on a daily basis or the automated export of project geometries from ProjectTracker to ArcGIS on the same frequency.

For groups who do a lot of analysis using GIS data, this is a good option to ensure you’re always working with the most up to date information.

Display Hosted Feature Layers from ESRI

ProjectTracker can be configured to include hosted feature layers from ESRI online to help provide additional context when mapping projects. Information like congressional districts, existing transit lines, other boundary and polygon data that might be useful can be made available to display not only on the portal when mapping projects, but also on the public web site.

Other Modules

See what else our modules can do for transportation professionals!

FMIS

FMIS in DOT Software

Reporting

Reporting in TIP Manager Software

Call for Projects

Call for Projects in DOT Software

Public Management

Public Management in DPT Software

GIS

GIS in infrastructure project management software

Long Range Plan

Long Range Plan in Capital Planning Software

Project Delivery

Project Delivery in capital planning software
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