Tollway System Information & GIS Services

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) contracted our team for the purpose of performing professional services related to traffic engineering. As sub-contractor to CDM Smith (Traffic Engineer), Urban GIS works with a wide range of tollway system information to analyze and map GIS data. We provide visual exhibits showing data such as the distance between plazas, proposals for new toll plazas, planned construction projects, as well as details about assets including alternate fuel stations, trees and shrubs, traffic patterns and electrical usage. We also contribute to documentation updates by analyzing third-party data with the aim of identifying discrepancies and communicating gaps in the data. On the task of updating a guide displaying cross-over locations, crash investigation sites, tollway lanes, ramp configurations, and maintenance zones, we edited exportable data that had no spatial characteristics in grid in ArcGIS. With the aim of making that data spatially correct, we proposed an application that mirrors a static data set, but uses spatially accurate GIS data. We built several iterations showing how Esri’s Experience Builder can be used to facilitate data sharing and editing. On other tasks for the client, we utilize a wide range of Esri tools including web maps, custom applications, topology, map series, data driven pages, layouts, among others. Our work often involves the conversion of data into an Esri friendly format and/or the manipulation of data so that it can be useful in analysis efforts. The sample out-of-the-box application we created allows users to quickly identify assets without having to manually search through PDFs. Our team has contributed on numerous different projects of varying subject matter that the prime contractor undertakes for the ISTHA, which provides and promoting a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service to their customers.