RSC(Road Signs Capture)

Trafsoft Methodology for Capturing Road Side Furniture Assets, Module Road Signs

RSC (Road Signs Capture) With this field assessment module, the road signs will be assessed taking an account all details such as conformity, useful life (age, reflectivity), uniformity, offset distance, supports and structures as well as gantries. Not only existing road signs but MISSING signs that should be in the field. From this assessment an accurate cost for replacement will be determined for erecting new road signs where needed, as per SARTSM and the Road Agency policies.

The assessment includes inspections of the overall safety and performance of the signs, identification of any major accident damage or incident and any obvious failure of structural
elements of the signs. The visual inspections and attributes also includes inspections of supports, offset distances from edge of tar.

An application written for Android Tablets is used in the field to capture the attributes of the road signs and other relevant information, e.g. correct sight distance. Photographs of the signage is taken using HD (High Definition) quality of the Tablets, these photos are then geo coded (Exact position embedded on the photo) GPS co-ordinates are embedded into the digital image.

The detailed survey is performed, with pull down menus of attributes to be captured e.g. SARTSM signs code, condition, correct sight distance, location and various other data parameters as needed for the audit.
With this system personnel are now able to update information of existing signs or asset in a database while standing at the actual asset.
The data that is collected in the field is uploaded live directly from the Android Tablet, eliminating the need for data entry from paperwork and consequent manual errors.
All the data is received live from the surveyors on a daily basis, from within the field, due to the size/qality of the photos, these are uploaded daily to a server.
With the live Electronic Database the data will always be available for future projects, as build data, maintenance and budgeting purposes.

Trafsoft Methodology for Adding Signs within RSD (Road Signs Design Software to the RSC (Road Sign Capture) Console Data Base

RSC (Road Signs Capture) With this new function within RSD, The Software Suite that puts all your sign data, pictures, documents in one place

Acronyms used:

RSD – Road Signs Design (Detail Design Software)

RSC – Road Sign Capture (Web Based Road Sign Database)

Console – Web Based Database

Step one:

Signs are designed as usual in RSD

After saving your detail design to your directory, the user is prompted to save and add a position to the

RSC Console. You are given the option to turn this function off. The system will remind you of this function on each restart of RSD.

Step two:

The RSC Module opens from where the signs are positioned within the console as a group in a random position.

The user will be prompted to correct the position after each save, as well as any attribute associated with the design. The user has the option to disable this function and or only perform the repositioning after RSD is closed.

Step three: (RSC Console)

The detail design with associated saved file name (sgx, Pdf, and Jpg) are autosaved in the console database.

An automated unique sign ID is generated by the system.

The user collectively “grabs” the signs and moves them to the correct position on the map, e.g., an entire intersection was designed, then each sign is placed in the correct position.

General:

The username and password for the RSC Console user is auto generated and mailed to the user.

The username by default is the email address registered for RSD.

The signs uploaded are linked to the user by way of registered RSD email address.

A route name and node number for the signs are auto generated using the users company name as registered for RSD. The creator or designer of the sign has editing / admin rights on their signs, the user will have the ability to share his project with his client.

A batch of signs are assigned to a project / client, in this way reports and quantities can be filtered per project / client. The project manager allows one to group multiple RSD signs against a project. Once the designs are linked it provides the following information with regards to the project. Total area for all signs in the project. Total number of supports needed for signs in the project.

The RSD Project manager is activated on request for a license.

Opens RSC Console from within RSD.

Save detail design.

After saving your detail design to your directory, the user is prompted to save and add a position to the RSC Console. The RSC Console is automatically opened. A user account and password is automatically created, these are emailed to the user, to login to the RSC without having to work through RSD.

Sign Details in RSC Console.

The RSC Console is automatically opened, the position is auto zoomed to the allocated position of the sign. The sign is also allocated a unique ID number.

Correct the signs’ position.

With the Editing Tools on the left of the console, all the sign’s attributes can be edited, and repositioned, etc.

Attributes relating to the sign.

Three files are created automatically and uploaded to the console, i.e. pdf, jpg and sgx. Photos of installed signs can be uploaded once the signs have been installed.

Example of Quantities for an intersection.

Example of Layout Plan for an intersection.

Trafsoft Methodology for Field Inventory Capturing Signs with Android Device

server

Figure 1: Flow Chart Illustrating Data Collection
Inventory personnel mileage for road signs inspection is greatly reduced. Paperwork and data entry errors are also significantly reduced, resulting in a saving man hours a day for each person in the field. The time that is saved can be spent performing more maintenance work in the field resulting in an increase in overall productivity.
Time savings for data capture personnel due to the elimination of data entry from paperwork are null, although quality control must be maintained by a supervisor or administrator. Another result is that the road signs become extremely accurate, providing the public with the level of safety that was originally engineered into a section of road.

Using the Asset Management Software built on Trafsoft Road Signs Designs software suite can be summarized as providing inexpensive, accurate, timely, and reliable information updates while supplying users with the necessary information in the field for performing their tasks at the highest level of accuracy and efficiency.

The RSD Project manager is a tool to manage sign design projects.

The project manager allows one to group multiple RSD signs against a project. Once the designs are linked it provides the following information with regards to the project. Total area for all signs in the project. Total number of supports needed for signs in the project. The design provides information of the number of support the spacing’s between the support effective areas used to calculate the number of support etc.

RSD (Road Signs Design) and the project manager are integrated when user selects a sign in the project it can be displayed in RSD. This eliminates the user from browsing the file structure to locate a previously designed sign. The search function allows searching signs by destinations, routes etc. This is also a time saving method as the user once again does not have to search the file structure and can simply type destinations to find the design, if sign is edited the changes are also applied to the sign in the project.

Other features include placing a design spatially on the map. Showing signs in the project on a map.
Quantities of material excel export.

An entire project software suite for:
i. Data / inventory capture;
ii. Control of Detail Designs with Trafsoft’s Road Signs Design software (RSD)
iii. Extracting any report needed, to clients’ needs;
iv. Exact knowledge of materials needed;
v. Schedule of quantities for tender purposes;
vi. Performing the control of payment certificates;
vii. Continued maintenance and as-built data.

The following is the flow of work that is envisaged to be used for projects of Local authorities:
1. Receive Instruction via e-mail to survey a specific route;
2. Identify the scope, i.e. how many intersections etc. prepare standard diagrams for onsite evaluation;
3. Plan day to visit site, app on device will enable the following;
a. The GPS co-ordinate, and Sign ID no;
b. Take a picture of the existing sign;
c. Input the current size of the sign-should automatically pull through the item for dismantling on the Bill;
d. Input the current text height;
e. Input the current height of Pole 1 Pole 2 Pole 3 Pole 4 of the sign from the bottom of the sign, this will now determine the new pole length with the new sign height rounded to the either 3,6 meter or 6,0 meter, input for the 100mm should say if it is 2mm or 4mm thickness, and should automatically pull through to the bill under the supports;
f. Input the distance from the edge of tar to the edge of the sign;
g. Input quantity of clamps and size of clamp either P1118 or P1120 or Bolt M10x90 or M10x125mm;
4. Design Road sign using RSD, this will then pull through to Bill in the different caterogeries, + Extra over for Background, and Extra Over for lettering;
5. Place sign on an intersection layout for installation purpose;
6. Drawing to be sent to authority for approval;
7. Once approval received generate quote on each sign according to Bill of quantities;
8. Generate production order to manufacture sign;
9. Take a photo when sign is completed;
10. Wait for approval;
11. Generate Installation instruction, Picture not drawing of the sign, length of poles required, holes to be excavated, quantity of clamps and bolts and nuts, cement;
12. Take a picture of the traffic accommodation set up, installed sign, Back and front;
13. Generate a pay certificate at the end of the month with Tabs in Excel summarizing each route or intersection;
14. Attach commercial invoice;
15. All inputs to be transferred to a spreadsheet as as-built.

The Software Suite that puts all your sign data, pictures, documents in one place. Get data and reports you need in seconds; letting you spend time improving safety and reducing liability instead of looking for information.
Ø Manage signs straight from the map
Ø Sync data straight right from the field
Ø Ensure Retroreflectivity Standards Compliance

CONSOLE

RSC CONSOLE 1

RSC CONSOLE 2

RSC CONSOLE 3

RSC CONSOLE 4

GIS Map

See the signs you want right on your map. No more searching for signs that need replacing

View Sign Details:

View any data on your signs and view their Detail design and relavant documents:

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View Sign System Design Details

View accurate placement of signs in a automatically drawn layout plan

Sign Maintenance Tracking:

See what was done, by who, and when for any of your signs and supports

Export / Import your Data:

Export / Import to popular formats example Excel, GIS Shp’s and XML.

Manage your Costs:

See and get reports on all costs associated with your signs & supports. Excellent for budgeting and cost control. Create work orders on long or short-term contracts. Manage your payment certificates.