Feb 5, 2015 -- GeoDecisions will feature a cutting-edge Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) traffic noise model (TNM) application at Booth #621 during the  Esri^® Federal GIS Conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 9-10, 2015. An information technology (IT) company specializing in geospatial solutions, GeoDecisions is developing a suite of new interfaces to enhance the accessibility of FHWA’s highway noise modeling toolset.

FHWA’s TNM is a calculation model required for new road projects that receive federal funding. GeoDecisions improvements involve developing a standalone desktop application that allows highway designers to define infrastructure elements, projected traffic characteristics, and noise abatement features. Users run the noise model to determine the impacts of proposed mitigation techniques on noise levels, and then choose 2-D plan, 3-D, and section views of resulting features for visual analysis and presentation. Reports are automated to print or export.

In addition to the standalone application, GeoDecisions is developing three separate software extensions to access the TNM through programs used by departments of transportation and traffic consultants. Compatible platforms include Esri’s ArcGIS^®, Autodesk’s AutoCAD^®, and Bentley’s MicroStation^®. This approach eliminates the need to purchase specialized, licensed software in addition to tools that highway designers already use.

“Our collaboration with FHWA results in significantly increased availability and accessibility of these important highway design tools,” said Kevin Switala, GISP, vice president of federal and international sales and delivery with GeoDecisions. “These new interfaces will enable engineers to more easily present noise abatement plans to the public as well.”

Switala and  GeoDecisions President Brendan Wesdock, M.C.P., GISP, will attend the Esri Federal GIS event to discuss the TNM project,  a snow route planning application,  IRRIS, and other federal geospatial solutions.

In January 2015, GeoDecisions Technical Architect Naveed Sami also was invited by the FHWA to demonstrate the noise model application during the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Stand-alone application where users can quickly adjust design object parameters

An example of highway noise barrier design, showing application features, plan, and 3-D views

GeoDecisions’ experienced staff of professional consultants, analysts, and developers support clients worldwide. Fundamental to the company’s award-winning approach is the integration of spatial information to empower existing systems and processes. GeoDecisions’ philosophy is based on an enterprisewide approach to the integration of diverse information technologies, data formats, and systems.

We are proud to be an Esri Gold-tier Business Partner and ISO 9001:2008 Certified.