To greatly enhance its right-of-way (ROW) management operations, NDOT has partnered with SDS to develop its Integrated Right of Way Information Network (IRWIN) Permitting and Permit Tracking System. DREAMaps works with ESRI’s geographic information system (GIS) technology to solve several internal transportation department needs such as land acquisition management, repository capability, data integration and transformation between databases, file and legacy system maintenance, property management permitting, and project status assessment from initial funding to final certification. 

The DREAMaps system will improve NDOT’s external ROW information management by functioning as a web-based communication platform that will provide enhanced research capabilities.  DREAMaps will allow NDOT to standardize its land acquisition process across multiple agencies and provide internal and external users with real-time ROW information. NDOT customers will be able to monitor permits, applications, and fee payment status remotely by accessing IRWIN online, expediting questions and resolutions. 

The GIS component, run on ESRI’s ArcGIS Server technology, will organize and manage NDOT information based on the location of ROW assets and support analytics along with fast and efficient visualization through mapping. Use of ORACLE as the common data storage and management framework will assist the system to be linked to other NDOT systems to provide document and project management capabilities.  Various contract plans and documents in the Electronic Document Management System will be linked with GIS to allow users to facilitate and track their work processes from a centralized information center.  This automated capability alone will save hundreds of man hours per year.

As a group, the DREAMaps modules form a system that will manage all facets of the ROW process.  The modules include: Locate ROW for estimation which allows NDOT staff to preplan and evaluate cost for multiple alternatives; the Acquisition Module that provides property management capabilities and title, appraisal / Adiministrative Offer Settlement, acquisition, condemnation, and relocation information; the Property Management Module that maintains property inventory, maintenance, demolition, disposal sale, excess property, leases, and lease payments; the Encroachment Permits Module; the Billboard Module; and the Junkyard Module.The department’s GIS, linear referencing system, financial system, public lands survey system data, and video logging system will also be integrated into the network.  The robust DREAMaps Transaction Manager connects the data and integrates NDOT’s various applications allowing for work lists and configurable administrative dashboards.  Connecting these various systems will allow NDOT to solve both external and internal transportation issues in a fraction of the time it has taken in the past. 

About Smart Data Strategies
Founded in 1989, Smart Data Strategies, Inc. provides a variety of GIS software and services that focus on Real Property Intelligence™ and its use by an assortment of clients, including local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as private industries. Services include DREAMaps™ land records management software, right-of-way management software, parcel conversion and maintenance, geodatabase design and implementation, GIS/CAMA integration, database normalization, CAD-to-GIS conversion, systems integration, inventory management, e-commerce data brokerage and distribution, GIS data conversion services, training, and toll-free support.  The Smart Data Strategies DREAMaps™ software is currently being used to manage 9,000,000 parcels across the United States and over 250 clients have utilized Real Property Intelligence™ services provided by Smart Data Strategies.  Visit www.sds-inc.com for more information about Smart Data Strategies products and services.