Linking New Hampshire's rock cut management system with a geographic information system

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) first conducted a Rock Cut Hazard Survey in 1975, which included 182 rock cuts. The program has evolved since 1975 and now incorporates 380 rock cuts and 4 Rock Fall Hazard Rating Systems. Using New Hampshire's State Planning and Research funding, a research project was initiated with the objective of combining new rock cut data with preexisting data into a geographic information system (GIS). Rock cut point features were collected for every rock cut with the Global Positioning System and were added as a data layer on top of existing data coverage available through the department's GIS server. A relational database was developed that would store all rock cut data and would be linked to the GIS through a standard language query connect statement. A Brunton compass was used to collect rock cut structural data, and a digital camera was used to photograph every rock cut. The structural data were graphically represented in the GIS in the form of rose diagrams, stereonets, and density plots. A laser profiler was used to collect two-dimensional profiles on selected rock cuts so rock fall simulations could be conducted. The GIS does have limitations, including the network bandwidth, accessibility restrictions, and resource allocation for maintaining current and accurate data. Deployment of an Internet mapping service has been recommended to increase accessibility and to allow all NHDOT users access to the Rock Cut Management System through a web browser.