Unlock the Power of GIS With Better Data Governance

In Denmark, a stylish new "kissing bridge" was slated to open in 2013, but the project was delayed by more than two years due to a simple misalignment error. It's an extreme example, yet every Department of Transportation leader knows the feeling: something that should line up in theory goes embarrassingly off-course in reality. Often, the culprit is bad data.

GIS professionals in transportation and the public sector deal with massive volumes of geospatial data every day: think of road networks, transit routes, and asset locations, among other data. It could be as simple as a GPS coordinate or as complex as a detailed roadway GIS layer. Simply having geospatial data, however, isn't enough. You need confidence that the data is current, complete, and compliant. This is where data governance comes in.

More data doesn't automatically mean better decisions. Rather, it means more chances for mistakes when that data isn't clean and governed. That's why geospatial data governance is essential. And, as of 2023, two-thirds of U.S. state DOTs agree, as they have established, or are actively exploring, agency-wide data governance programs.

So how can transportation organizations implement data governance without overwhelming their teams? In this blog, we'll explore how automated geospatial data governance can turn messy GIS data into an engine for confident, cost-saving decisions.

Why Better Data Governance Is Essential in Transportation

Consider some common scenarios: A state DOT merges road data from dozens of counties, where each county might use its own road IDs or mapping conventions. Or a public transit agency integrates stop locations from multiple contractors. Without rules and oversight, the unified database could be riddled with errors (like misaligned routes or outdated entries). That's why transportation GIS professionals place such emphasis on data governance.

By establishing common data standards and automated quality checks, you create a single source of truth for all your spatial information. Every department and partner can then rely on that one authoritative dataset for their needs.

Better data governance also improves efficiency. Instead of performing one-off data cleanup projects (often a tedious annual ritual), agencies can enforce quality continuously. For instance, when new data comes in - be it a road inventory update or an asset survey from the field - governance processes can validate and correct it before it pollutes the system. This means fewer headaches down the line.

Ultimately, well-governed geospatial data saves money and time, and it increases trust in the analyses and maps produced from that data. When everyone from highway engineers to policy makers trusts the data, they can move faster and make better decisions.

Data Governance in Action: From Road Networks to Field Surveys

To see the value of this approach, let's look at a couple of scenarios. Imagine a state DOT needing to combine roadway data from all its counties and cities into one statewide map.

Traditionally, this data fusion process was painstakingly tedious (matching and merging thousands of road segments by hand or custom code). With a rules-based solution, however, it gets much easier. Our system can automatically match disparate datasets and take the best data from each, merging them into one consistent, reliable data set.

Even if sources use different formats or have varying accuracy, our smart integration rules can reconcile those differences, turning what used to be a major annual project into a productive process that constantly updates your master dataset.

For example, 1Integrate can apply user-defined rules to extract and combine data from various departmental silos or partner agencies, which means you always have the most accurate, up-to-date roads in your system.

Agencies like Kansas DOT (KDOT) have seen this work firsthand, as they completed a road data project six months ahead of schedule by utilizing 1Spatial's rules engine for integration and quality control.

This modern, rules-driven approach to geospatial data governance offers several key benefits for transportation organizations:

• Automation and Efficiency: Dramatically cuts the time spent on tedious manual data fixes, freeing your team to focus on higher-value analysis.

• Consistency and One Source of Truth: Enforces the same definitions and quality thresholds everywhere, breaking down data silos and creating an authoritative source of geospatial data that all stakeholders can trust.

• Scalability for Big Data: Turns continuous data influx into an ongoing governed workflow, so data quality scales with your data quantity. What used to be an overwhelming flood becomes manageable.

• Improved Decision-Making: Informs better governance so planners and engineers can make confident decisions based on everything from optimizing routes to prioritizing repairs. Governance ensures that geospatial data truly earns the trust placed in it.

Unlock the Value of Your GIS Data

Transportation agencies don't have to be overwhelmed by their geospatial data. By establishing better data governance (and using the right tools to automate it) you can turn your GIS into a powerhouse for smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation systems. A rules-based approach with 1Spatial's 1Integrate gives you the confidence that your data is always validation-ready, integration-ready, and decision-ready.

If you're ready to unlock the full value of your GIS with better data governance, start your trial of 1Integrate today to see this rules-based data quality solution in action. Let us show you how automating your geospatial data governance can streamline your workflows and empower your transportation organization to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

Your GIS data can do more; Let's make sure it's governed, reliable, and ready to drive results. Contact 1Spatial to get started on your data governance journey and turn your geospatial data into actionable insight.