Managing Ohio’s roadway data for federal and state use
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting extensive roadway data for state and federal use. As part of its mission to provide a transportation system that is safe and well maintained, ODOT is required to submit annual Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data to the Federal Highway Administration. HPMS reporting plays an important role in shaping national infrastructure policy, allocating funding and ensuring roadway safety.
Challenges in HPMS data management
Managing HPMS data—including roadway characteristics, traffic patterns, pavement conditions, and improvement projects—was historically a labour-intensive process for ODOT. With multiple software platforms in use, the team faced lengthy processing times, manual data validation issues, and cumbersome file creation.
Their previous HPMS submission workflow compounded these challenges, requiring multiple tools, custom-built validation processes, and extensive manual intervention. The road inventory database had to be closed for up to three months each year for data cleansing and preparation. Additionally, the data submission process involved manually generating and uploading files, validation feedback wait times, and process repetition—a cycle that could take weeks to complete.
Improving data accuracy and efficiency for reliable HPMS reporting
To address these challenges, ODOT implemented FME to automate data validation, transformation, and submission processes. The team developed on-demand validation tools to ensure data accuracy before submission, eliminating the need for multiple uploads. By integrating with Survey123, ODOT also improved data collection processes, ensuring that information was transformed and utilized in compliance with federal requirements. Replacing outdated Access databases with repeatable FME workflows (Road Designations Data, Extract Estimates, Generate LRS, etc.) further improved data consistency, allowing for more reliable reporting and streamlined data management.
The adoption of FME transformed ODOT’s HPMS reporting: the time required for data cleansing and validation was reduced from three months to just one week. Previously, the team had to manually create and upload over 70 CSV files—a time-consuming process that relied on HPMS software to identify errors, often requiring multiple uploads to achieve the desired results. With FME, the automated creation of CSV files has streamlined operations, allowing usage year-over-year to ensure compliance while reducing the need for manual work. As a result, HPMS submission, which previously took a month, was cut down to a single day, allowing the team to reopen the database for next year’s edits immediately.
Automating workflows for scalable and cost-effective operations
Eliminating custom-built data validation tools that were difficult to modify enabled ODOT to manage data processes in-house, significantly reducing reliance on contractors and lowering costs. The team created on-demand data validations for the road inventory database that users can run on-demand via FME Flow, ensuring that all submissions are reviewed and approved before being added to the parent database.
FME adoption also expanded across multiple teams, including Traffic and GIS departments, where it was used to automate CAD-to-GIS conversions and roadway data conflation. Additionally, with a no-code environment that allows non-programmers to create and manage workflows, more team members can now handle tasks that previously required specialized skills.
Creating an FME user group for DOTs
To further drive adoption in the transportation sector, ODOT has established an FME user group for DOTs across North America. The group, which has been active for over a year and a half and meets quarterly, allows agencies using similar GIS systems to share best practices and expand FME’s role in automating critical transportation workflows. Past meetings have featured presentations from organizations such as West Virginia DOH, Minnesota DOT, and Iowa DOT.
Looking forward
With ODOT’s success in streamlining HPMS reporting using FME, the team plans to develop their own FME Flow App, allowing anyone in the team to run HPMS workflows. By making data accessible to the entire team, DOTs can automate the process to ensure submissions meet the strict deadlines twice a year, reducing dependency on a single HPMS coordinator.
The department is also exploring replacement of legacy Access Database applications with FME to enhance automation. This initiative seeks to replace workflows previously managed by a retired technical user with a more intuitive and user-friendly process. While the team has limited familiarity with the original Access-based workflows, FME’s widespread adoption ensures greater accessibility, continuity, and efficiency.
By leveraging FME, ODOT is modernizing data management, optimizing workflows, and paving the way for a more automated and resilient transportation system.
