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IPLAN enhances public access to transportation data

Mass amounts of transportation-related data are now accessible to any interested customer through the IPLAN data interface tool, available on ITD's public website. Data linked to a location and on anything ranging from traffic counts to fiber optic cable lines to upcoming roadway projects can be cross-analyzed, visualized and shared using simple menu-based analysis and display options. ITD's customers can more easily track down and work with needed information to find the answer to their questions, all without needing to directly contact ITD staff to request information.

Originally envisioned by D6 and HQ planning staff, the statewide ITD geographic information systems (GIS) team have worked alongside ITD's planners, engineers, and IT staff for years building IPLAN. The data needed to plan and design transportation projects has always been available, but until recently was only accessible by directly contacting ITD to retrieve electronic and hard copy information. With IPLAN easily accessible to everyone, data users both inside and outside ITD can start consuming and benefitting from a wide range of information on a faster timescale.

"IPLAN allows for unprecedented data access throughout the department, as well as by other businesses, organizations, and the general public," said District 5 GIS Analyst Nik Sterbentz, "This greatly improves data mobility and government transparency."

"Spatial technology like GIS breaks ITD's internal data barriers, linking data by location, enhancing accessibility and workability, and enabling new analytical capabilities," he added.

By eliminating ITD's "librarian" role, it also frees up valuable staff time.

ITD has worked to get the word out about IPLAN. Adding a banner link to ITD's public homepage kicked IPLAN accessibility into high gear. Here's that link

"Online GIS efficiency is being recognized throughout the department," said Sterbentz, "Our staff is working with GIS data, using web maps in presentations, and referring public inquiry to explore the wealth of information. ITD collaborated, and devised a method for easy data access."

"Nik is at the forefront of how ITD needs to do business in the future," explained D5 District Engineer Ed Bala. "He's got a remarkable understanding of how important it is for stakeholders to have easy access to information that's presented in an understandable, easy to use format.

"This is a significant departure from our past culture here at ITD, where sharing information was sometimes seen as risky. I'm proud to be associated with Nik, and excited to see IPLAN being used more and more by both ITD and our external stakeholders."