Abstract:
Disclosed is a system for carrying out inspection of a physical asset according to a database of defined criteria for each type of physical asset. The system includes a database server, including a database of acceptable criteria, including images, for each type of physical asset; a database of unacceptable criteria, including images, for each type of physical asset; a database of information, including images, of each physical asset inspected. The system also includes a portable data collector for use by a field inspector, including the database of acceptable criteria, including images, for each type of physical asset; the database of unacceptable criteria, including images, for each type of physical asset; and the database of information, including images, of each physical asset inspected; and a program of sequential steps to be followed by the field inspector for inspecting each physical asset.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates to inspection of physical structures and locations along with data collection and reporting and more particularly to an improved data collection system and method. 
         [0004]    As exemplified by roadways, including signage, guardrails, curbs, litter, and the like, there is a need to perform inspections, often for safety. Moreover, there also is a need to have a record or history of such items along with a record of repairs. There is a further need to be able to authorize such inspections along with approval of repairs when needed. 
         [0005]    In the same way, there also is a need to inspect a variety of physical structures including, inter alia, buildings, bridges, parking lots, parking garage structures, rails, runways, and the like. It is to such needs that the present disclosure is addressed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A method for evaluating physical assets according to defined criteria database is disclosed. The method starts by creating a project for evaluation of a physical asset according to a manual defining proper criteria for such physical asset. A field inspector is assigned for evaluating the physical asset. If the project was created responsive to a notice of critical deficiency, a crew is dispatched to repair the physical asset and the database of the physical asset is updated following the repairs. If the project was not created responsive to a notice of critical deficiency, a field inspector is dispatched to inspect the physical asset. 
         [0007]    The field inspector enters the physical asset into a portable database device if the physical asset is not already in the device database. The field inspector populates the physical asset attributes, and rates the physical asset according to a defined criteria database. 
         [0008]    If the physical asset is already in the device database, the field inspector edits the physical asset inventory and rates the physical asset according to the defined criteria database. If there is no first responder configured for the project, the field user saves the information entered into the portable device. If there is a first responder configured for the project and there is a high urgency deficiency for the physical asset, the field inspector decides whether an email needs to be sent to a first responder. If no email is required, the data entered by the field inspector is saved; and if an email is required, an email with photograph and description is sent to first responder and the data entered by the field inspector is saved. The data entered in the field inspector in the portable database device is sent in real time to a database server wireless when a wireless network is available to the portable database device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present method and device, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a flow sheet of the authorization for inspection of a physical structure, exemplified by roadways herein; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flow sheets showing the instructions in the inspection device given to a field user sent out to inspect a roadway item; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary information sheet for guardrails; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are information sheets of any given project where inspection of a roadway item is authorized; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an authorization screen for authorizing/assigning personnel to any given inspection project; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a screen shot of an aerial image of a ground location where an inspection has been authorized, including a data entry menu to be completed by the field inspector; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a screen shot of an aerial image of a ground inspection location where the litter conditions can be entered by a field inspector; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a screen shot of an aerial image of a ground inspection location where guardrail conditions can be entered by a field inspector; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a screen shot of an aerial image of a ground inspection location where an inventory item can be added and/or rated as found by the field inspector; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an image from the device database showing an unacceptable road sign; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an image from the device database showing a 5-sign cluster in acceptable condition; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is an image from the device database showing an upside down roadway sign needing correction; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a screen shot of an aerial image of a ground inspection location report as completed by a field inspector and showing the history for a guardrail that was repaired pursuant to a field inspection. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    The device referred to is a portable electronic device carried by the field inspector when making a ground field inspection. 
         [0024]    The drawings will be described in greater detail below. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    For present purposes, the term “field assets” or “physical assets” (both singular and plural) will be used to refer to the physical structures to be inspected. Such physical structures can be civil or military and include, inter alia, transportation facilities, such as, for example, railroad beds, rails, signals, and the like; roadways, including, for example, roadways, berms, signage, curbs, guard rails, and the like; airport facilities, including, for example, runways, lights, signage, and the like; buildings (educational, commercial, industrial, military), including, for example, parking garages, sidewalks, windows, and the like. The term “field assets” should be construed broadly for purposes of the instant disclosure. 
         [0026]    In order to illustrate the disclosure, the following description will refer specifically to roadways and their appurtenances. Such description, however, is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. 
         [0027]    Broadly, then, the disclosure relates to the ability to measure, inventory, and determine the functioning and/or condition of the physical asset, including, for example, the location of the asset, the condition of the asset, whether the asset is functioning for its intended purpose compared to a set of standards, whether the asset requires repair/replacement, and whether such repair/replacement is needed immediately. For new inventory, identification indicia can be entered into a hand-held, portable device, including its location on a map, color-coding for the type of asset, photograph of the asset, and relationship to other assets in the immediate area. The condition of the new inventory can be compared to a standard housed in the device memory and the differences therebetween determined by the inspector with the device. The inspector, then, can make a determination and criticality as to maintenance/repair/replacement required for the asset. All of this data is uploaded to a fixed database automatically in real time when the device has access to the Internet. Personnel monitoring the fixed database can communicate with the field inspector during this process. The portable device and/or the fixed database can send an email to the owner of the field asset and/or agency having responsibility for the field asset as to any needed repairs/maintenance/replacement of the field asset and the criticality of timing for such repairs/maintenance/replacement. Reports of the inspection also can be printed out from the fixed database. 
         [0028]    For assets already in the database, the portable electronic device will have the records of prior inspections and the field inspector can compare the present condition of the asset to the condition of the asset in prior inspections. Again, the inspector, then, can make a determination and criticality as to maintenance/repair/replacement required for the asset and all other actions described above taken. 
         [0029]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a flow sheet of the authorization for inspection of a physical structure (an asset) as exemplified by roadways in this disclosure is shown. In particular, an office user at box  10  confronts a computer screen for entering appropriate information for authorizing a field inspection of a particular asset associated with a roadway, such as, for example, the roadway condition, signage, guardrails, litter, or the like. As noted above, the inspection of a roadway item will be used herein for illustrating the disclosure and should not be taken in any way as a limitation on the present disclosure. 
         [0030]    The office user next proceeds to step  12  in the flow diagram to define the relevant manuals appropriate for the particular asset to be inspected; asset being an item associate with a roadway, such as, for example, a guardrail, signage, litter, or the like. The items associated with the particular item of interest—a guardrail in this case—are displayed to the office user in  FIG. 3 , including, for example, length, direction, material of construction, rail deficiencies, post deficiencies, spacer block deficiencies, concrete deficiencies, height, location, and like attributes. Additionally, images of acceptable and unacceptable guardrails can be brought up from the asset management system. 
         [0031]    The office user next creates a project at step  14  by completing the forms displayed in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Alternatively, the office user could import GIS (Geographic Information System) information  16  that would take the place of the information inputted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The flow diagram then proceeds to step  18  where the office user accesses the form displayed in  FIG. 5  to input the authorized personnel for the project being defined. 
         [0032]    The flow diagram then proceeds to step  20  which queries whether a notice of critical deficiency has been received for the defined project—a guardrail in this example. If no notice of critical deficiency has been received, the flow diagram proceeds to step  22  where the office user views data as it is entered in real time by the field inspector during the inspection. Once the inspection is complete, the flow diagram proceeds to step  24  where a final report is viewed or analyzed, or alternatively the final report is exported back to the GIS. 
         [0033]    Reverting back to step  20 , if a notice of critical deficiency was received, the flow diagram proceed to step  26  where a crew is dispatched to fix the deficiency and the field inspector updates the database for the fixed guardrail in the device screenshot displayed in  FIG. 13 . The flow diagram proceeds next to step  28  where the geotagged photo and notes in  FIG. 13  are reviewed by another field inspection to verify that the deficiency was actually fixed. If the deficiency was not fixed or properly fixed, the flow diagram proceeds back to step  26  for dispatching a repair crew. If the subsequent inspection reveals a properly corrected deficiency, the flow diagram proceeds to step  22 . 
         [0034]    The field user/inspector flow sheet of the authorization for inspection of a physical structure, exemplified by roadways herein carries a portable device, such as an iPad® (Apple Computers, Inc., Cupertino, Calif.), containing the flow diagram displayed in  FIG. 2  along with a database, as will be described further herein. The field user in step  32  proceed to step  34  where a query is made as to whether the asset for inspection already exists in the database of the field collector, iiCollector™ (Resource International, Inc., Columbus, Ohio). It should be noted that all information entered by the field user in the field collector is sent wirelessly to the database server in real time, where the office user can view such entered information also in real time. 
         [0035]    If the field asset is not already in the field collector database, the flow diagram proceeds to step  36  where the screen shot in  FIG. 6  pops up on the field device for the field inspector to identify the asset being inspected—again, a guardrail for present purposes. In step  38 , the attributes for the guardrail are populated. In step  40 , the field user/inspector adds and rates the guardrail from the menu shown in  FIG. 6 . One of the identifying indicia inputted in step  42  is the latitude/longitude identifying ID for the guardrail. 
         [0036]    Returning to step  34 , if the asset already exists in the database, the flow diagram proceeds to step  46  where the field user can edit the inventory and rating sheet shown in  FIG. 7 . The same latitude/longitude identifying ID in step  48  can be inputted at this step too. 
         [0037]    The flow diagram then proceeds from either step  42  or step  46  to step  44  where the query as to the first responder to the project is made. Regardless of the answer, the flow diagram proceeds as shown in  FIG. 2B . If the answer to the first responder inquiry in step  44  is no, then the flow diagram proceeds to step  50  where the save button is pushed and the flow diagram proceeds to step  52  where the data in the collector is sent to the database server. 
         [0038]    If the answer to the first responder inquiry in step  44  is yes, then the flow diagram proceeds to step  54  where there is an inquiry as to whether there is a high urgency deficiency. If the answer is no, then the flow diagram proceeds to step  50 . 
         [0039]    If the answer is yes in step  54 , then the flow diagram proceeds to step  56  where a checkbox is checked for sending an email to a first responder per the screenshot shown in  FIG. 8  or in  FIG. 9  for an auxiliary marking asset. The field user/technician then clicks the save button in step  58  and the user decides in in step  60  if is necessary to send an email to a first responder along with an image of the deficient asset. If the answer is no in step  60 , the flow diagram proceeds to step  52 . If the answer in step  60  yes, an email and photograph of the deficient asset is sent to a first responder in step  62  and the flow diagram proceeds to step  52 . 
         [0040]    As an additional capability possessed by the portable field device, a Safety Performance Index (SPI) can be calculated for each class of items inspected in a given area. For example, if the guardrail along a certain stretch of highway is being inspected, the number of deficiencies per mile, for example, can be totaled and rated compared to a rating system. Say, for example, there were 29+ deficiencies per mile, the SPI score would be 0 or very poor. If, however, there was only 1 vegetation obstruction along that same route, the SPI score would be 4 or acceptable. Of course, the assigned score criteria would be different for each category of assets being inspected. 
         [0041]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a history of each asset has been created and can be viewed in later times to assist later field users and repair crews. It also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the data on each asset has been standardized for safety, longevity, and consistency. In this way, each asset will likely function for its intended purpose and have a likelihood that it will continue functioning for a longer period of time. It further will be apparent to those skilled in the art that remediation of assets will be standardized by the field collector and method disclosed herein. 
         [0042]    While the device (portable field database collector) and method have been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.