AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2009 Awards: Information Communications Technology (ICT) Innovations
RECIPIENT:
North Carolina - Wearable Inspection Grading Information Network System
In accordance with a federal mandate, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Bridge Management Unit must inspect more than 21,000 bridges, culverts, pipes, and overhead signs every two years. Historically, the inspections were handled via a paper-based process, which proved to be inefficient and inaccurate. The process also created the possibility that bridges in disrepair or potentially hazardous to motorists might not be repaired in a timely manner.
To increase the efficiency, accuracy and consistency of the process, and to make bridge reports available more quickly, NCDOT implemented a tablet PC-based mobile inspection system. This application was named WIGINS, (Wearable Inspection Grading Information Network System) in memory of Lin Wiggins, the Director of the NC Bridge Maintenance Unit.
On the tablet PCs, inspectors are able to enter measurements and observations, upload digital photos, and draw sketches. Based on inspector input, the application interface was designed to make it easy to capture the required data points with minimal scrolling and flipping from screen-to-screen.
From the end-user perspective, all of the technology is invisible, which means inspectors can focus on inspections rather than technology. And the success of the project has allowed NCDOT to remain in compliance with federal regulations that require the state's 21,000 bridges, culverts, pipes, and over head signs bridges to be inspected every two years. With approximately 150 new bridges being added each year and the aging of the current infrastructure, the automation provided by the WIGINS application will become even more critical in years to come.
Eugene A. Conti, Jr., Secretary of Transportation, State of North Carolina
FINALISTS:
Click on the title to download program submission.
South Dakota
Research, Education & Economic Development Network
Washington
Statewide Electronic Collision & Ticket Online Records (SECTOR)
OTHER NOMINATIONS:
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California
DOI - Telecommunications Infrastructure Replacement Project
Florida
The Procurement, Implementation and Migration of MyFloridaNet
Illinois
Project Hercules
Michigan
State of Michigan Virtual Center of Excellence
Oklahoma
Oklahoma's Tele-Health Network
Pennsylvania
PA-STARNet
