National Highway Specifications...
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National Highway Specifications Website National Highway Specifications Website Past, Present, and Future presented by Linda Konrath for AASHTO SCoC Annual Meeting August 1, 2007
Transcript of National Highway Specifications...
National Highway Specifications WebsiteNational Highway Specifications Website
Past, Present, and Future
presented byLinda Konrathfor
AASHTO SCoC Annual MeetingAugust 1, 2007
BackgroundBackground
AASHTO Resolution 99-0Objective: One-Stop source for specification informationEndorsed development of an electronic specifications library to be hosted by FHWA
NHSWLaunched 2003
Standard Specifications
Innovative Contracting
Specifications
Emerging Technical
Specifications
Construction Manuals
Links to Standard
Plans
• current inventory• not an archive
SHAsFHWAAdministrative features
Security issues
Provide oversight
Encourage participation, promote website
Maintain the Library
Browse Library
Search Library
Download specs
View and print specs
Users
Present WebsitePresent Website
http://www.specs.fhwa.dot.gov
Present WebsitePresent Website
Present WebsitePresent Website
Present WebsitePresent Website
Present WebsitePresent Website
Present WebsitePresent Website
Present WebsitePresent Website
Present Website – Additional ContentPresent Website – Additional Content
Discussion ForumStatic links to related sitesAdministrative access for maintenance purposes
Present Website – Current StatusPresent Website – Current Status
Needs maintenance to remain current> 50% of specs need updatingNew technologies are emergingInnovative contracting practices continue to evolve
Time for an update!
User Feedback – SurveyUser Feedback – Survey
Survey distributed to SCoC members seeking input on:
Organization, content, and functionality of current NHSWPossible updates and enhancements
User Feedback – GeneralUser Feedback – General
Specification library accessed frequentlyDiscussion forum not usedPossible areas of improvement
MaintenanceUpload processInnovative specification librarySearch feature
User Feedback – ContentUser Feedback – Content
What information would you find useful?
Innovative Specifications: 95%Contact info for spec engineers: 90%Links to related websites: 78%Manuals: 78%ASTM Abstracts: 30%
User Feedback – FunctionalityUser Feedback – Functionality
Update submission process83% unfamiliar with processTime-consuming to meet NHSW submission standards
Search FunctionRetain detailed search resultsSearches could be faster (subsequently improved through switch to GGooooggllee)
User Feedback – Innovative SpecsUser Feedback – Innovative Specs
Expand current alternative contracting section
Design-BuildA+B BiddingIncentives/DisincentivesLane RentalOther
User Feedback – Innovative SpecsUser Feedback – Innovative Specs
Add page for new or emerging technical specs
SmoothnessMachine control gradingIntelligent compactionPerformance specifications
Recommendations – ContentRecommendations – Content
Work with AASHTO SCoC to obtain contact information and documentsAdd contact information to secure area of siteUpdate specifications as necessary
Recommendations – Content (continued)Recommendations – Content (continued)
Expand innovative and emerging libraryAdd library of Construction ManualsAdd links to Standard PlansRemove discussion forumReplace ASTM abstracts with link to ASTM site
Recommendations – FunctionalityRecommendations – Functionality
Switch to GGooooggllee search toolImprove administrative interfaceRelax submission standards
Single file for entire spec book or multiple files by sectionpdf or html
Enhance design of website
Future WebsiteFuture Website
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ChallengesChallenges
Keeping specifications currentKeeping contact information currentPromoting the site
Challenges – Other Options ExploredChallenges – Other Options Explored
Linking instead of hosting full documents
Lose ability to search across a population of documents
Customized Search EngineCurrently only in beta version
Challenges – SolutionsChallenges – Solutions
Provide web-based trainingUpload procedures508 compliance
Switch to database structureUse SCoC Annual Meeting to:
Promote the site Stress the need for ongoing maintenance
Distribute annual reminders
ScheduleSchedule
Improvements to be made gradually based on priority and ease of implementationFull re-launch expected by Spring 2008
