MPC
Research Projects (2006-07)

Project Title

Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) Database and Model Development

University

North Dakota State University

Project Investigator

Denver Tolliver, NDSU
denver.tolliver@ndsu.edu

External Project Contact

• Galen Balster, USDOT-Federal Lands Highway
• Darren Timothy, USDOT-Office of Policy Development
• Robert Mooney, USDOT-Asset Management

Project Objective

The objectives of this technology transfer project are to: (1) make USDOT highway planning and safety analysis models more readily available to tribal and local transportation planners, (2) identify IRR data needs, (3) assess the cost-effectiveness of methods of improving IRR inventory data, and (4) provide IRR data in HPMS format for use in national highway planning studies.

Project Abstract

Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) are defined as "public roads with provide access to and within Indian reservations, Indian trust land, restricted Indian land, and Alaska native villages." There are roughly 49,000 miles of Indian Reservation Roads in the United States (USDOT). Approximately 25,000 of these miles are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal governments. The remaining 24,000 miles are under state and local ownership.

Tribal agencies are in need of highway planning and safety analysis tools. At the national level, USDOT would like to include Indian Reservation Roads in highway needs studies and increase the availability fo planning and safety models at the local and tribal levels. However, the IRR inventory is not in a format that can be used by HERS-ST or other models. Recent changes in legislation have increased the importance of collecting and updating IRR inventory data. This is an opportune time to understake a project of this nature. In addition to assessing roadway data needs, the principal objectives/outcomes are: (1) a software program to convert the IRR inventory to an HPMS format, (2) illustrations of using HERS-ST on IRR datasets, and (3) training/outreach for tribal and local transportation planners.

Task Descriptions

1. Develop a plan to convert the IRR inventory to an HPMS-like format. Only a few inventory measures are the same in both databases. Therefore, the work plan will include a description of the IRR inventory in comparison to HPMS, and an assessment of: which variables can be converted directly, which variables can be converted indirectly, and which variables will require special studies or additional data to convert.
2. Data development plan. Identify HPMS data elements used by HERS-ST that cannot be derived from the IRR inventory, or data items for which the quality of data may need improvement. If warranted, develop a plan to collect these data elements for at least parts of the IRR system.
3. Write prototype software program to convert the IRR inventory. After the work plan has been agreed upon, a prototype software program will be developed and tested.
4. Revise and deploy conversation software. Any needed revisions to the software will be made. A description and use guide will be developed along with a distribution plan which identifies sites where the software will be housed.
5. Illustrate use of HERS-ST on IRR Roads. As requested by tribal planners, an initial analysis of selected tribal road networks will be performed using HERS-ST. The analyses will include both IRR and state highways in the inventory.
6. Develop training plan. Develop a plan to provide HERS-ST training to the tribal and local planners in the region.
7. Apply IHSDM to IRR roads through prototype analyses. Assess the data needed to effectively utilize IHSDM to identify high-risk IRR roads and conduct prototype analyses. If feasible, develop a work plan for potential widespread utilization of IHSDM in the next phase of the effort.
8. Develop project report. The report will include assessment of data needs and recommendations for continuation of the effort to improve inventory data and modeling needs.

Milestones, Dates

Starting Date: August 1, 2006
Prototype Software: June 1, 2007
HERS-ST Illustrations: Fall, 2007
Training Completed: November, 2007
Ending Date: December 1, 2007

Project Budget

$191,170

Student Involvement

Several graduate students part-time

Relationship to Other Research Projects

None

Technology Transfer Activities

A series of presentations and training sessions will be conducted to ensure that the software and models are accessible to the intended audiences. The project will be coordinated within the two Tribal Technical Assistance Program Centers in Region 8 (the Colorado and Northern Plains TTAP Centers) to provide broader outreach to tribal planners.

Potential Benefits of the Project

As a result of this project: (1) Tribal planners will have access to highway planning models which they currently cannot use, and (2) USDOT will have access to IRR data for use in national studies. Moreover, the project will provide: (3) valuable field information on the data needs and feasibility of applying safety analysis models to identify high-risk road segments, and (4) a general assessment of IRR roadway data and special study needs. (5) As a result of this project, a coalition of interested parties will be identified to continue this focus throughout the SAFETEALU period.

TRB Keywords

Databases, Highways, Reservations