PonTex Bridge Inspection Management System Transportation Short Course October 12, 2011
What is PonTex? System to manage bridge safety inspections Developed in-house Relational database Web-based Role-based Will replace (but not yet retire) BRINSAP
Why PonTex? or What s Wrong with BRINSAP Legacy brige inspection data (BRINSAP) resides on the mainframe. BRINSAP is in flat file format not a relational database. BRINSAP data is not live updated weekly (or whenever batched mainframe transactions are run).
Why PonTex? BRINSAP won t accommodate elemental inspection data. BRINSAP error checking is on back end. BRINSAP has limited audit capability. BRINSAP will not willingly integrate into a Bridge Management Information System.
PonTex Attributes Security PonTex security is "role-based." A user can only perform those activities allowed by the role. Data Quality PonTex validates data before it can be submitted for approval. Activation Requirements A set of required fields must be validated before a new bridge can be added to inventory.
PonTex Attributes Elements PonTex stores elemental data. History All inspections are stored in PonTex (not just most current). Audit All changes to bridge, roadway and inspection data are logged (who, what, when). Digital Attachments - Capability to store images, etc. associated with inspection event.
PonTex Access Each individual user must have an account. Citrix connection through internet: https://txdotsg.dot.state.tx.us
The Dreaded Citrix Gateway (more on this later)
PonTex Tabs
PonTex Overview: Inspection Life Cycle
Assignment Inspection Review
Assignments
Assignment
Assignments The "Assignment" tab is used to assign bridges to Bridge Division Inspectors, Primary Contractors, Subcontractors, and Team Leaders. Bridges are selected from the assignment tab, which can be filtered by County, Control, Section, System, etc. Company, contract information, team leaders, and subcontractors must first be created through the Company Tab, Contract Tab, and Users Tab.
Assignments A bridge is assigned to a Prime Contractor through a "Contract" and "Work Authorization. A District Bridge Inspection Office user can assign bridges to Prime Contractors. Prime Contractors can assign bridges to their own Team Leaders or to a Subcontractor.
Assignment to Team Leader
Inspection
Inspection
Inspection Team Leader retrieves assigned bridges. Span by span elements and components are created for on-system and Harris County bridges Team Leader conducts inspection, recording NBI data for all bridges and Elemental data. Team Leader submits inspection to Prime.
NBI Inspection Items
Review
Review Team Leader submits inspection to Prime. Prime accepts, rejects, or amends. Prime submits inspection to District Bridge Inspection Office. District accepts, rejects, or amends. Similar process when subs are involved.
Review
Review
Reject Inspection
"Prime Contractor" Amend Inspection
PonTex Implementation February 2008: Initial release (for testing only): Austin District Fort Worth District San Antonio District Dallas District
PonTex Implementation February 2009: Odessa District and Rio Engineering All districts moved to PonTex by July, 2011.
Initial Assessment PonTex Friend or Foe? PonTex is plagued by Citrix connection problems. Down time is at an unacceptable level. Inspection costs are up. Work authorizations are taking longer to complete. Inability to input and submit inspection data is affecting apparent compliance.
PonTex Friend or Foe? Citrix Issues Unreliable servers Load balancing problems (assigned servers) TxDOT is running the latest unsupported version of CITRIX.
PonTex Friend or Foe? Inspection costs have risen significantly from 2009 to 2011: On-system additions +35% Off-system additions +21% Increase in the number of extension requests for Work Authorizations. Increase in apparent number of bridges exceeding designated inspection frequency. Connection issues have slowed development of PonTex enhancements.
Friend or Foe? Connection issues have been elevated. TSD is working with TFT to resolve Citrix issues. Considering a stand-alone work station version of PonTex that doesn t require an active Citrix connection to input data.
Further Down the Road Implement version 5.2 of PONTIS (release date is unknown at this time). PonTex will feed PONTIS. Will use PonTex elemental inspection data to build initial deterioration models. Inspection data, deterioration models, and cost data will need to be integrated within PONTIS for bridge condition forecasting for various funding and action scenarios maintenance, rehabilitation, replacements.
Questions Tom Yarbrough, P.E. (512)-416-2499 tom.yarbrough@txdot.gov