The GeoPlan Center is assisting the FDOT's Turnpike District to conduct NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) inspections, monitoring, and assessments of DOT turnpike facilities within the district. These facilities are within Hillsborough, Polk, Orange, Seminole, Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade counties. The GeoPlan Center has three main tasks within this project:
- The development of a computer hardware and compatible software system
- The creation of a training program for Turnpike District staff
- The development of a GIS database
These three task are explained in more detail below.
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Hardware and Software System
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The GeoPlan Center performed an inital review of the Turnpike District NPDES MS4 Program's computer needs. Investigations were made into developing a system for performing data collection and field inspections with hardware and software which could interface a GIS, GPS, a digital camera, and an electronic notebook. This system is intended to assist the Turnpike District with NPDES MS4 field inspections and record keeping.
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Training Program
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The GeoPlan Center is creating training courses for the Turnpike District on:
- Investigation of suspected illicit or improper disposal
- Dry weather field screening
- Drainage connection inspections
- Operation and maintenance of the electronic collection system and each piece of equipment.
In addition, the GeoPlan Center will annnually train the Department's Turnpike District Managers, Inspectors, and Field Staff using these courses.
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GIS Database
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The GeoPlan Center is updating and maintaining a GIS database for use by the Turnpike District in its NPDES MS4 activities. This database includes:
- Stormwater faciliity structures
- Privately owned and maintained stormwater systems along the turnpike right-of-way
- Priority industry (type and locations)
- Drainage connections
- Permit information
- NPDES MS4 maintenance and inspection data
- Roadway improvements and new roadway designs impacting the Department's drainage system
- New roadway corridor alignments
- Major upgrades of existing facilities
- Acres of right-of-way completed by the litter control program
- Acres of right-of-way completed by the "Adopt-a-Highway" program
- Miles of roads completed by the Street Sweeping Program
- Data which track inspections and maintenance activities on:
- Catch basins
- Grates
- Other stormwater structures
- Roadside ditches
- Proper disposal of accumulated sediments
- Inspection dates, recommendations, maintenance and enforcement activities of drainage connections, dry weather field screening, investigations of suspected illicit and/or improper disposal, and the limitation of sanitary sewer seepage.
- Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) maps
- Notices of Intent (NOI), Notices of Termination (NOT), inspection dates, recommendations, maintenance and enforcement activities of issued drainage connection permits
In addition, the GeoPlan Center will perform the initial stormwater systems data collection and field inspections events. The GeoPlan Center will use GPS to locate and collect data on:
- All drainage structures
- Drainage connections
- Ponds
- Sumps
- Canals
- Littoral zones
- Plazas
- Toll booths
- Toll Barriers
- High priority industry property lines adjacent to the Department's right-of-ways
- Right-of-way
- Edge of pavement
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