Solving the Challenge of CADD – GIS Interoperability

Objectives of Work: 

The goal of this project was to develop an interoperability strategy between CDOT project mapping data that is in CADD format and the CDOT Enterprise GIS database to facilitate data exchange and use across business units and improve business processes. AppGeo worked together with the GIS Section at CDOT and with subcontractor support from Pro-West & Associates.

CDOT engaged AppGeo to define these tool and process requirements that could satisfy business needs (e.g. asset management, ROW management, property parcel alignment, floodplain zone demarcation, etc.) :

  1. Convert Selected CADD Data to GIS Format
  2. Create Statewide ROW Geospatial Data
  3. Create Statewide Asset Geospatial Data
  4. Convert Selected GIS Data to CADD Format
  5. Generate CADD Project Locator Map Using GIS Data
  6. Discover Existing Project Data
  7. Integrate Project As-Built Records

Activities, Phases completed by AppGeo: 

The AppGeo Team met with CDOT staff from CADD and GIS and compiled the Business Requirements Specification document that identified several use cases where interoperability is desired. The use cases were prioritized based on user feedback and the tools and services required to accomplish this interoperability were identified in a business requirements document. The project then began a second phase to develop, test, and deploy the interoperability tools and services for extracting GIS features from CADD design documents.

After completing the Business Requirements document, AppGeo designed and developed an Interoperability spatial database with a set of configuration tables and an end-user process management and data profiling interface. 

Project Results, Benefits Realized, Subsequent Related Actions by Customer:

Individual tasks can be executed to ingest CADD data into the Interoperability database and export geospatial features from the Interoperability database. These Interoperability tools enable CDOT to establish new workflows throughout the roadway lifecycle. A GIS analyst at CDOT can now find CADD files on their operating system or within the content management system, then ingest and profile the CADD objects contained in those files. Subsequent workflows can extract geospatial features into a defined geodatabase schema.