Regional project coordination using a web based GIS Application
Mark W. Perry, PE
Independent GIS Consultant
9700 Goethe Rd
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916) 875-6372
Roger Exline
Sacramento County GIS Manager
9700 Goethe Rd
Sacramento, CA 95827
Abstract
How does a government agency provide real time project information and service to
employees and the public? How is the scenario of a recently re-surfaced street being dug
up for the construction of a new water main prevented? The fiber boom is creating a
backlog of construction projects and a stockpile of planning/development studies. This,
coupled with staffing shortages experienced by engineering and planning organizations,
make these questions VERY difficult to answer. A solution implemented by Sacramento
County is the web-based SEROW (Street Excavation in Right-Of-Way) application. The
web-based coordination tool allows a user to produce maps of current and planned
projects in Sacramento County with street excavation in right-of-way. Users (Engineers,
Planners, Developers, Utilities, Governing Boards, and the Public) can perform spatial
and tabular queries based on several criteria to produce reports and maps of projects.
Key to the success of SEROW is the fact that data owners can create and maintain their
own spatial and tabular data online from the convenience of the workstation at their desk.
The creation of project data that conflicts with other projects triggers an automated email
to respective project contacts. Some of the significant application benefits include:
increased customer service, communication and coordination between government
agencies, developers, utilities, and the public, and reduced business operating costs,
construction costs, and public nuisance.
