Case Studies

District Department of Transportation
Washington, DC

Situation
While Gannett Fleming, Inc. was implementing the national tunnel management system (TMS) for the 17 tunnels owned by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), DDOT expressed an interest for a capability to collect, track, schedule, and compile historical records of maintenance activities. Since this capability exceeded the functionality of the TMS and since Gannett Fleming had already developed a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) called Saber™, Gannett Fleming was able to provide this solution to DDOT through an on-going contract with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

Challenges
After developing TMS for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which included two manuals and an accompanying software program providing guidelines for inspecting, maintaining, and rehabilitating highway and rail transit tunnels, Gannett Fleming was chosen to implement TMS for DDOT as part of a pilot program. Drawings of each tunnel were obtained from existing DDOT files and used to develop standard field inspection forms. These were entered into tablet PCs for field use by tunnel inspectors to record element conditions.

Though the TMS software is a valuable tool for highway and transit tunnel owners to collect and manage condition data of the tunnels’ structural, mechanical, and electrical elements, it was not designed as a maintenance management tool.

Solution
Gannett Fleming was selected to work with DDOT to implement the first tunnel management system (TMS) designed for nationwide use. DDOT also decided to use a maintenance management database, which supplements and links to the TMS. Developed by Gannett Fleming and known as Saber, this CMMS provides flexible schedules for maintenance functions, work orders for specific equipment maintenance, and cost tracking capabilities for all maintenance functions.

Saber was easily modified to meet the information technology standards of DDOT and will be implemented in the next maintenance contract, setting and maintaining the standard of performance DDOT requires.

Gannett Fleming populated the Saber database with all the Maintenance Master Equipment List including electrical and mechanical elements, fans, etc., of the tunnels.

DDOT is now able to set minimum maintenance standards and has a tool to measure them with. The new maintenance contract will include collecting maintenance data such as washing down walls, repairing fans, checking oil quality in motors, and cleaning drains. The contractor will be required to enter all data concerning maintenance issues (time and cost) and repair costs into Saber, giving DDOT the ability to monitor maintenance performance and maintain maintenance records and history.

This database is DDOT's to keep and will continue to be a valuable resource for managing their tunnel assets in future years. DDOT expects to realize many benefits from using the TMS and Saber. The TMS and Saber will continue to assist DDOT in maintaining their vision "...to design, operate, and maintain world class standards." It also validates DDOT's mission to be committed in enhancing the quality of life for District residents and visitors by ensuring that people, goods, and information move efficiently and safely, with minimal adverse impacts on residents and the environment.