Usage Analysis of First-Generation Intelligent Transportation Systems Data Archive

Abstract

ADMS Virginia is an archived data management system (ADMS) established to provide access to archived intelligent transportation systems data for use in numerous offline applications. The development team of ADMS Virginia faced the challenge—with limited experience—of developing an information technology-based system, that effectively anticipates uses of the system and users of the system. The team attempted to address this challenge, faced by many information technology professionals in the field of transportation, by using a spiral software development methodology and incorporating significant stakeholder input. This paper presents a usage analysis of ADMS Virginia. This analysis highlights key lessons learned that are of use to those developing ADMSs specifically and new transportation information technology systems in general. Key lessons learned include the following: (a) do not overspecialize early in a system's life, (b) anticipate a wide range of users, and (c) spiral development creates the risk of establishing system usage patterns prematurely.

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