How Jefferson County, CO Manages 3,700 Miles of Roads With Cartegraph Asset Management

The Results

Enhanced Data Accuracy and Accessibility

Today, the County now maintains a comprehensive database of road conditions and maintenance history at the ready, allowing for data-driven decisions and better planning at every turn.

After a significant snow event, for example, Jefferson County was able to present detailed and accurate information to the Board of County Commissioners, using data from Cartegraph, in no time. The system provided precise counts of roads, cul-de-sacs, and the resources required to manage snow removal effectively, showcasing both the value of their snow removal teams and the asset management system.

“Seeing the data in action truly makes a difference,” said Heather Henderson, Road and Bridge Asset Manager. “How we are budgeting for snow operations is huge, and we used to have no idea of the full cost of snow operations. Now, we have that data for the Board and we can clearly account for millions of dollars.”

See for yourself: Check out Jefferson County’s public-facing map that shares all road and bridge data.

Improved Decision Making and Planning

With Cartegraph, Jefferson County can monitor the overall condition of its road network and prioritize maintenance activities based on real-time data. This has resulted in more effective use of resources and improved road conditions across the County.

“We had quite a few roads that didn’t get the attention they needed,” said Mike Secary, Road and Bridge Director. “When you are going off of narratives versus actual data, things slip through the cracks. At the level we’re at now, we know the cost of the concrete replacement, ADA compliance, flood plain, traffic counts, maintenance history, and more. We no longer have to track down 10 different people to get the full picture. It’s all in one place.”

Take grant applications and budget requests, for example. The accurate and detailed data from Cartegraph has been instrumental in supporting grant applications and justifying budget requests. The County has successfully obtained funding for various projects by demonstrating the need and potential impact with precise data.

Streamlined Inter-Departmental and Better Public Communication

The adoption of Cartegraph has improved communication between County departments. Now, every task and maintenance request are seamlessly assigned and tracked within the system, reducing the risk of missed communications and ensuring timely responses.

Combined with the power of GIS tools, the County is also making asset data available for residents. Residents can now access information about current and planned road maintenance activities, improving community engagement and trust in county operations.

“The public doesn’t always understand all the work that is being done,” said Secary. “They’ll see one pothole and have the perception that we aren’t doing anything. Now we have the data to show that’s not the case.”

(Some serious inspiration: See how the County communicated its post-snow storm impact to residents here.)

Increased Operational Efficiency

The County’s ability to track maintenance activities, project costs, and asset conditions in one system has streamlined operations. The use of scenario builder tools has allowed for more accurate project cost estimates, leading to better budget management and resource allocation.

What’s Next?

The answer is easy: Even more data-driven decision making. Among other things, the team have their sights set on using asset data to predict the paving plan for the next 5-10 years, ensuring the County’s infrastructure is prepared for the millions of residents and visitors to come.

“Cartegraph helps us make the best decisions for the residents, and that’s really what we’re here for,” said Henderson.