R.U.M.S. (Right of Way and Utilities Management System) Overview

Right of Way Functions Incorporated into RUMS Right-of-Way Management (appraisal, acquisition, improvement removal, relocation, legal, donation, grave relocation) Utility Management (design, easements, facility adjustments) Assignment Tracking (assignee, due and complete dates, units of production) Contract Management (contracts, task orders, subcontractors, assignment-based security) Property Management (sale, lease, property grouping, historical tracking)

Problems Faced Before RUMS Legacy System did not focus users on critical dates, allowing milestones to be missed without warning Inaccessibility of right-of-way data for management analysis Legacy System made searching and updating information difficult Legacy System did not collect all important information forcing users to enter such information in comments or not at all Correspondence formats used throughout the state were not standardized Completion of correspondence and internal documentation laborious

Accomplishments of RUMS Addresses needs at all levels - from data entry through management Emphasizes management focus on advertisement date and project status Organizes all important RW&U information Provides intuitive navigation for novice and advanced users (increased productivity) Eliminates redundant data entry in completing forms used internally and those used externally to communicate with citizens Enables inquiry users to access information through browser Contains extensive online help and tutorials to flatten learning curve

RUMS Project Development Steps As-Is / To-Be Analysis Early Prototype Design and Initial Data Model Full Prototype (Functional Version 0.5) Program Specs and Final Data Model Development and Testing Training (Just-in-time and repeatable) Conversion for Pilot Pilot (single district - 3 weeks) Conversion for state-wide implementation State-wide implementation Maintenance

Highlighting a RUMS Feature - Forms Processing Standardized forms (i.e., internal memoranda, external correspondence, etc.) for all RUMS users User presented with forms applicable to the screen currently being viewed in RUMS - eliminating the need to search through a myriad of unrelated forms Forms populated with information from the RUMS database - eliminating redundant data entry Forms can be modified with full power of Microsoft Word Forms can be updated remotely - user does not have to be in the RUMS application Completed forms stored in RUMS for viewing “Sandbox” concept allows new forms to be created without updates to RUMS software

Web Based Reporting Reports defined with Crystal Report Writer Reports executed on “Cizer” (third-party product) Web Server and viewable by users via the Web Browser Web server is a powerful machine, and has fast connection to database, allowing efficient execution of Crystal Reports Cizer allows scheduling of reports and can limit the number of simultaneous reports processing against the database Client is not locked while report is executing Needs of 500 inquiry users satisfied via Web

Technology Utilized Oracle 8i Visual Basic 6.0 Sheridan VB Extensions: Data Widgets, Active TreeView, Designer Widgets MS Word 2000 / VBA (with Word 97 compatibility) Mercury Testing Tools: TestDirector / LoadRunner / WinRunner Crystal Report Writer Cizer (Web Enabled Report Execution) ADABAS SQL Gateway (interface to other system)

Current Status / Enhancements User base broadening based on system success and understanding of capability Pursuing Web-enablement opportunity Flexible system architecture allowing system enhancements/expansions to be made (over 200) Software copyrighted has been obtained

Right of Way and Utilities Division Contacts C.L. “Les” Griggs, Jr. RUMS Project Manager Right of Way and Utilities Division VDOT Central Office (804) 786-2917 griggs_cl@vdot.state.va.us