USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        Safety
                        Learn Safety
                        Noteworthy Practices


            
            In This Section
        Learn Safety
                About RSPCB
                Road Safety Fundamentals
                Roadway Safety Noteworthy Practices
                                Search Noteworthy Practices
                Resources
                Training and Education
                                Overview
                Training Opportunities
                Road Safety Course Finder
                NHI Courses
                Roadway Safety Champions
                Get Help
                                Overview
                Technical Assistance Guidelines
                Technical Assistance Online Application
                Safety Data Dashboard
                
                Michigan's Roadsoft Program Enables Local Agencies to Collect and Maintain Data, while Preserving Local Ownership and Control
**Publication Year:** 
            2014
    
        Summary from *Michigan Roadsoft Integration of State And Local Safety Data*

Background

This case study, available as part of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Integration of State and Local Safety Data project, describes Michigan's efforts to integrate local roadway data into their State data system.

This case study is part of a series of four. Each case study identifies a State's experience collecting local data, the challenges and obstacles faced and how they were overcome, benefits of the practices, reasons for success, lessons learned, and applicability of the practices to other agencies.

One way some States are enabling local agencies to collect and maintain data, while still preserving local ownership and control, is through centrally supported data models like Michigan's Roadsoft program. With Roadsoft, there is no centralized database of local data; local agencies receive a copy of the Roadsoft software to download and maintain locally. However, since Michigan applied a consistent linear referencing system to the local roads, and since most local agencies use the Roadsoft system, the similar structure and data definitions make it easier to share data when needed.

Michigan Technological University's Center for Technology and Training (CTT) developed Roadsoft for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as a standardized suite of data management and analysis tools in the early 1990s for local centerline mileage certification and pavement management. Before Roadsoft, local agencies had widely varied levels of access to IT support, software tools and analytic capability. Over time, MDOT and the CTT enhanced Roadsoft to cover a broader range of assets and planning and budgeting support, and to include features such as traffic and crash data for use in safety analysis.

The Roadsoft system meets most analysis needs at the local agency level, but more advanced analyses are not included in Roadsoft. To do such analyses, the local agency must create a data extract to import into any other analysis package. With funding from MDOT, the CTT also supports local agencies with training and analytic assistance. Local agencies are not required to use Roadsoft, though approximately two-thirds of local agencies do.

While MDOT provides Roadsoft to local agencies at no charge, it does not eliminate the costs of data collection. Still, Roadsoft does improve data quality by defining data collection standards, where applicable, within each module. Local agencies are only required to report standard roadway asset and pavement condition data to MDOT for the Federal aid-eligible portions of their network; however, the same standards apply to all data entered into the system. Additionally, Roadsoft has modules for managing a large number of assets and each module was created based on input from local agencies. To help with data collection, Roadsoft has an integrated, GPS-enabled, mobile data collection utility which links Google Maps and Street View, thus creating an inexpensive photo log.

Key Accomplishments:

The following are key accomplishments of Michigan's Roadsoft system:

Improved location references for crashes on local roads.
	Consistent mapping and data standards for all local jurisdictions.
	Data sharing among local, regional, and State agencies.
	Efficient process for conducting safety analyses.
	Comprehensive asset management capabilities.Results:

The lessons learned from the Roadsoft effort are that long-term support, local agency control, and frequent, gradual, incremental updates, are the keys to Roadsoft's success. The CTT supports the incremental nature of Roadsoft development using a rapid prototyping model with frequent user testing to be sure that the final product meets local users' needs. Local users have a great deal of control over decisions regarding Roadsoft's enhancements—the Roadsoft Users' Group selects and approves each project. MDOT supports Roadsoft by funding the CTT's efforts and by supplying data.

Contacts

Tim Colling, Director
Center for Technology & Training (CTT)
Michigan Technological University
906-487-2102TKCollin@mtu.edu

Stuart Thompson
Federal Highway Administration
202-366-8090Stuart.Thompson@dot.gov U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us