MANAGING THE COMPLEXITY OF MASSIVE PROJECTS
“We’re beginning an evolution toward a major paradigm shift in transportation,” said Brian Kelley, chief technology officer for the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, in a recent Government Technology webinar. “We last saw a shift of this magnitude back at the early part of the 20th century when the horse and buggy disappeared from the streets of the United States and was replaced by the gasoline engine and the automobile. Today we’re fast moving toward autonomous, connected and electric vehicles.”
To support this paradigm shift and the massive projects it will require, transportation organizations will need to address these challenges:
Increased need for compute power. Project planners, data scientists and other individuals need massive compute power to quickly ingest data for machine learning and deep learning, as well as to build and test algorithms used for modeling and predicting various use cases. Project teams working in the office, in the field or at home also need more compute power to support day-to-day digital collaboration, especially when video analytics, graphics and other data-intensive information is shared.
Expanding threat surface and increase in ransomware and other attacks. The attack surface continues to stretch and morph as the number of user devices skyrockets and more people work outside the agency’s network perimeter. Traditional security controls aren’t sufficient to protect against today’s threats, which include malicious code introduced into components in the supply chain and users who unintentionally click links or download files that activate ransomware and other attacks.
Outdated devices. While many transportation organizations have gotten by with their stable of legacy workstations, monitors and printers, these older workhorses weren’t built with security in mind. In addition, many do not have the power and memory to support modern operating systems, let alone data analytics, multitasking across applications, collaboration and other advanced processes.
Changing workforce demographics. As older employees retire and new projects are funded, transportation agencies will have to be strategic in hiring and retaining the next generation of workers. To attract today’s engineers, data scientists, project managers, procurement professionals and back-office workers, organizations will need to provide modern tools that allow employees to collaborate and do their best work wherever they are.
NAVIGATING DEVICE DECISIONS
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission exemplifies the forward-looking organizations that are working on future transportation technology. The commission is actively working on connected and electric vehicles, toll modernization, smart mobility projects and more. Kelley is currently leading a solar energy development project on the Ohio Turnpike, where his team will build solar fields that power EV charging stations. The team is also working with a research center at Utah State University to explore in-road wireless charging. “We’re looking at what the future will look like, and then beginning to prepare for that future and the future needs of transportation and our customers on the road,” Kelley said. Whether preparing roadways, transit systems, ports, waterways or airports for the future, organizations will need to ensure their workers have the right devices to support the massive transportation and infrastructure projects funded by the IIJA and other sources. When project and procurement teams evaluate devices, the following features and capabilities should be part of any decision matrix:
Endpoint device security. To protect endpoints, organizations can’t rely solely on firewalls, antivirus software and other traditional controls. They must protect the devices themselves by using built-in security features, encryption and a zero-trust approach to access control. Modern laptops and workstations have built-in tools that automatically check the integrity of the device’s underlying code and use micro virtualization to isolate and check code when a user clicks a web link. They also include advanced screen views and purpose-built microphones that help shield sensitive content from unwanted eyes and ears.
Compute power. Devices must be able to ingest and process data at the rates required to support large volumes of data and complex programs used for design, planning, data analysis, workflow automation and more. Before investing in devices, determine whether additional memory or processing power can be easily added after purchase.
Durability. To ensure devices used in the field (or by on-the-go remote workers) are rugged enough to withstand dust, prolonged exposure to heat or cold, and heavy jostling, look for laptops that have passed stress tests that replicate real-world weather conditions and simulate rough handling.
Ease of maintenance and management. Whether the device fleet includes tens of thousands of devices or a few dozen, organizations need to consider how they will handle device replacements, repairs, operating system patches, upgrades and more. This complexity grows as the range of devices and device vendors increases.
Financial sustainability. IIJA is not an ongoing source of funding. Much of the funding must be spent on capital projects. To ensure device investments can be sustained over time, organizations will need to budget for year-after-year operational costs, and then find a way to pay for them. “An appropriation for ongoing funding is usually extremely hard to get. As a CIO, it was important to help leadership both in the political sphere and on the civil servant side understand what the ongoing costs would be and consider how we would pay for them,” said Center for Digital Government (CDG) Senior Fellow Otto Doll, former CIO for the city of Minneapolis and the state of South Dakota, during the Government Technology webinar.
Environmental sustainability. Workers and constituents are increasingly concerned with how device choices impact the environment and society. Leading device vendors are embracing innovation in their products (such as re-using plastic for laptop casings) to meet goals related to climate change, social justice and digital equity.
SURVEYING THE DEVICE TERRAIN
Regardless of the transportation category, organizations will need the following devices in their fleet to function efficiently, effectively and securely as they plan projects and prepare for the future.
Mobile and desktop workstations for on-premises and remote work. These devices provide the processing speeds and memory required for opening large files, running multiple applications simultaneously and collaborating online — without system lags or crashes. They also have ample storage capacity so workers can download files and applications to their device as needed. High-end laptops for remote/hybrid workers typically include color-accurate displays that are large and clear enough for users to view multiple images or graphics at once. They should also have a long battery life. Field workers require monitors/screens that are easily viewable in sunlight. These devices should enhance collaboration by using artificial intelligence to filter out background noise, allowing the user to adjust lighting so they can be seen in various lighting conditions and tracking the user’s movement so they stay in frame. For data scientists, workstations should have super compute capabilities for crunching numbers, running algorithms, creating models and rendering 3D graphics. The monitors on these workstations should provide the image clarity and detail required to easily read graphics and other visual information.
Printers. As information complexity grows, individuals and teams need to print documents and graphics in order to find details more easily, visualize and think about complex ideas and see the “whole picture.” Besides standard-format printers, organizations will want to consider large-format printers for collaboration, planning and proofs of concept/visual prototypes. All these printing devices should include built-in features that help protect information against ransomware and other attacks.
TRAVELING A DIFFERENT ROAD TO DEVICE ACQUISITION: DEVICE AS A SERVICE
As organizations evaluate costs, budget and complexity of device life cycle management, they may want to consider device-as-a-service (DaaS) options for procuring printers, desktops, laptops and other components. One important advantage of DaaS is that capital expenditure costs drop significantly and long-term costs become more predictable. In addition, organizations don’t have to worry about having sufficient IT staff or skill sets to handle device deployment, repair and maintenance. Every user receives the right device for their role and devices are refreshed regularly.
BREAKING GROUND
The following approach will set organizations up for success as they embark on or update a device program.
- Define the scope of deliverables for the new technology and devices. What does this technology need to do? What are “nice to haves” with the new technology?
- Determine the budget and identify other departments that would benefit from the same or similar technology. Sharing costs or consolidating buying power to negotiate better prices and terms with vendors may widen the pool of money to work with.
- Demo the proposed technology. Identify two to three devices that meet the organization’s requirements. Most companies are willing to provide demos and loaner devices. Take advantage of this opportunity to try out and compare devices.
- Run a user experience pilot group that includes all stakeholders who are impacted by the final deliverables. Including all stakeholders throughout the entire device identification and selection process ensures the organization has balanced input that reflects the day-to-day needs of both IT and actual end users.
- Regroup with all stakeholders and discuss at a high level what devices make the most sense for all parties. This process inherently creates a sense of ownership all around as people recognize they have been a part of the selection process. “In my experience, the people side of things is just as important as the technology being introduced. IT can go out and buy the Ferrari of systems that has all the bells and whistles, but if it’s so complex that a typical end user can’t use it … failed launch. Money could have been saved by getting the Cadillac solution that is much more user friendly and effective in solving problems or creating efficiencies,” said Omar Sandoval, director of government programs for CDG and former director of information technology for the Naperville Park District in Illinois.
FOCUSING ON THE ROAD AHEAD
IIJA funding provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address some of the most urgent transportation challenges of our time. Receiving funding from IIJA grants or any other source comes with a responsibility to taxpayers to invest funding wisely. Doing so requires careful planning, regular assessment and ongoing refinement. Having the right devices for the myriad tasks involved in planning, predicting, assessing and reporting will help prepare transportation organizations for success now and in the future.
This piece was written and produced by the Government Technology Content Studio, with information and input from HP Inc.
