The City of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, was looking for a partner to help collect data to assist in asset planning, scheduling and maintenance. They looked to us to provide the essential data needed to make decisions regarding its roadways and surrounding infrastructure while maximizing its financial resources.

Using our fleet of sophisticated data vehicles, we created a digital video inventory and performed pavement surveys for more than 6,000 centerline miles of roadway within the city limits – enough to drive from the east coast to the west coast and back again!

Equipped with high-tech cameras and sensors to capture infrastructure details and data, our mobile asset collection (MAC) vans collected data from pavements, sidewalks, ramps, handrails, speed humps and signs. Every two years, the city collects this data to ensure accuracy and score improvements related to condition ratings and the pavement condition index (PCI). The PCI provides a snapshot of the pavement health of a road, with the highest score of 100 representing one that’s been newly paved. Condition ratings are based on American Society Testing Material (ASTM) standards, which are globally recognized and have been adopted by the American Public Works Association (APWA).

We also used drones to collect data in hard-to-reach and high-risk areas, such as drinking water/holding ponds, water holding tanks, above-ground utility lines, bridges, catch basins, culverts and drainage ditches. This data will provide vital aerial mapping, imageries and condition data collection for these assets.

Data Transfer Solutions LLC (DTS) is a leader in asset management and geographic information systems within the North American market. SNC-Lavalin acquired DTS in 2017, adding to the capabilities of Atkins and Faithful+Gould, members of the SNC-Lavalin Group, enhancing their service offerings in digital asset management for clients.