A Geographic Information System (GIS)–Based Bridge Management System

Many bridge authorities responsible for the management and maintenance of bridges in their road networks use computer-based databases or bridge management systems (BMSs) as data management and analysis tools to aid them in performing many important bridge management functions and decisions. Due to superior spatial data handling capabilities, geographic information system (GIS) technology is increasingly being considered for implementation in many infrastructure planning and management systems, including bridge management systems. This article describes the use of a hybrid business and information modeling approach to develop a model to support the development of a geographic information system (GIS)–based bridge management system. It presents the architecture for implementing such a system for the Bridge Unit of the Public Works Department (JKR) in Malaysia. Most GIS systems are technology-based. The methodology used here captures organizational processes as well as information systems requirements. This facilitates business decision making and business process change. Using this hybrid modeling approach, first the organization's business objectives, functions, and processes are modeled. These business requirements form the basis of detailed information requirement analysis. Object-oriented methods are then employed to define object models and show the relationships between objects and the operations performed on them. Finally, the software architecture and interface for developing such a prototype GIS-based BMS is described and some sample screen outputs of the system to analyze and visualize over 2500 actual Malaysian bridge structures in the road network are presented. Future developments of the infrastructure set out here are capable of providing a BMS that supports business processes and facilitates business process change.