UNH T² Center Software

For questions on software, contact: Bob Strobel, 603-862-4348, rstrobel@cisunix.unh.edu

PWS Tracker PWS Drains

RSMS PWS Signs

PWS Tracker        Tracker is a general data-collection program designed to collect the items that you want without needing a customized program to do so. Tracker uses a simple method of point-and-click on a digital map to locate items, and a form records the information for it. This digital map interface forms the basis for all of the software programs here.         Using wizards, Tracker guides the user through creating the digital map using GIS data, then configures the program to collect what you are interested in. For example, your town's planning board wants the location of every fire hydrant, fire pond or water source to determine if a proposed, remote subdivision will need to hook into the existing water supply system or provide another water source for fire-fighting. After creating the digital map, you configure the questions to ask for each type of item. Then a click on the map at the location of the item opens the associated form. The user selects the type of item (hydrant, fire pond, water body), then completes the form using drop-down menus to answer questions such as the estimated fire pond / water body size (<2000 gal, <5000 gal, 5000+ gal), improvements needed (add a standpipe, add a storage tank) as well as your comments on the location. Further information can be accessed from our software developer: PWS Solutions.

PWS Drains       PWS Drains is an effective and inexpensive management support tool for municipalities. It is an easy to use, comprehensive management system, which coordinates drainage system inventory, maintenance and improvements. The intentionally generic design provides considerable flexibility. Data entry is rapid. The graphical capabilities provide intuitive, easy to understand results and increased analysis capabilities. Further information can be accessed from our software developer: PWS Solutions.

Road Surface Management System (RSMS) Road Surface Management System (RSMS) is designed to effectively and inexpensively provide pavement management support for small to large sized municipal agencies. RSMS is an easy to use, comprehensive pavement management system tool to coordinate roadway improvements and maintain quality road systems through the efficient use of labor, material, and budget. The intentionally generic design provides the user with flexibility making it an excellent management tool. Data entry is rapid which reduces costs. The graphical capabilities provide intuitive, easy to understand results and increased analysis capabilities. Establishing a road inventory is the first concern in any pavement management system. The inventory lists all the roads and their characteristics, such as: name, location, length, width, and traffic volume. RSMS is capable of storing large numbers of physical characteristics in a customizable database. The user rates the condition of the road based on the severity and extent of distresses visible on a roadway surface. This information is the basis to determine a plan for road improvement. Conditions are entered quickly for each road section by clicking on the map and completing the assessment form. RSMS aids decision-makers by offering suggested strategies to repair distresses identified in the condition assessment. RSMS is flexible to handle an almost unlimited number of surface types, distresses and repair techniques and is pre-configured with common surfaces and repairs (information should be reviewed and modified as necessary to meet the needs of the municipality). Each proposed repair technique includes the unit cost and expected life of the repair. In offering repair options, RSMS bases the repair prioritization of the road segments on four weighted factors: Traffic, Importance, Roughness, and Pavement Condition. Developing a 10 year plan is facilitated in RSMS. The suggested repairs for the segment are listed with the effect on the segment Pavement Condition Index (PCI), the network PCI, and the annual budget. Road segments are sorted by priority and apply the selected repair. The annual costs and their effect on the network PCI can be the basis for the annual road maintenance budget. After the repairs are selected, the user can generate standard or customized reports for documentation. RSMS works with the other modules: Drains, Signs and Tracker. Repairs and maintenance can be coordinated to maximize safety while minimizing disruption. Data can be exported into a local or online GIS program for further analysis  or to share data with other departments. RSMS was developed by UNH in 1989 and distributed nationwide through the LTAP/TTAP Centers. To further enhance PWMS Software, the UNH T2 Center has partnered with public and private organizations to provide professional skills and resources. Further information can be accessed from our software developer: PWS Solutions.

PWS Signs The Sign module provides comprehensive, effective, and inexpensive management for sign inventories in small to large-sized municipal agencies. The program provides considerable flexibility to maintain highway safety through compliant signage. The four main management activities performed by PWS Signs are: preparation of a sign inventory, condition assessment of sign inventory, management of sign maintenance, and preparation of sign maintenance budget. A network sign inventory is necessary to manage signs. The inventory consists of sign characteristics including location, type, support, and age of all highway signs in the agency. PWS SIGNS utilizes a simple location method via GPS and a digital map to locate the sign and attributes; the user simply clicks on the screen to locate the sign and the maps and enters the data.  Signs can be entered using MUTCD codes or user defined codes for custom signs. Condition assessment can be completed simultaneously with inventory entry. A condition assessment includes the required maintenance needed to rehabilitate a sign to mutcd requirements. PWS SIGNS establishes a maintenance priority list. Highway officials can use the priority list to schedule maintenance and to establish a sign maintenance budget. When maintenance is scheduled through work orders, highway officials can substantiate a systematic approach to sign maintenance. PWS SIGNS includes an alert log to record citizen, police, and other reports and a priority list to generate work orders. Both features provide a paper trail to defend a highway department in a liability claim. The PWS SIGNS user can create reports using filters to identify inventory, condition assessments and repair history. Further information can be accessed from our software developer: PWS Solutions.

For questions on software, contact: Bob Strobel, 603-862-4348, rstrobel@cisunix.unh.edu

Return to UNH T² Center