Week 2

During week two we wrote and finalized our Project Design Proposal.

ENGR 103 - Spring 2016
Freshman Engineering Design Lab

“Historic Bridges of Philadelphia”

Project Design Proposal

Date Submitted: April 08, 2016

Group Members {Nick Greene, nrg43@drexel.edu}

{Tyler Madden, tjm375@drexel.edu }

{Arjun Sachdeva, as3999@dexel.edu}

{Peter Travers, pjt56@drexel.edu }

{Aaron La Bar, akl85@drexel.edu}

Technical Advisers Dr. Aktan and Mr. Ben Cohen

Abstract:

Currently, The City of Philadelphia does not a have an up-to-date database that accurately displays information regarding the bridges in the city.  Group 22 plans to consolidate the data that is available and create a current and up-to-date database that displays and stores information regarding the historical bridges in the area.  The team will work with outside sources, web based mapping systems, custom online databases, and on-site surveying to build and portray an accurate reference for the City of Philadelphia.

Introduction

The goal of this project is to incorporate and consolidate the information available to the group regarding all of the historical bridges in Philadelphia into an online database with the correct information regarding different key facts about the bridges. Information about these bridges will be placed into an online database and cross referenced onto a custom web based mapping system.The group will have to master the online database software, the custom web mapping system, the consolidation of multiple sources and the analysis of large quantities of information in regards to the historic bridges in Philadelphia.The team will face the difficult challenge of creating a resource that is completely original with no previous references of its kind. By the end of this project, the team will have successfully created an online database consisting of the information available from multiple federal and state sources and created an custom online mapping system that stores and displays said data.  

Deliverable

Upon completion of this project there will be  several physical and digital components to the project. The major component will be a digital mapping system of all the historical bridges in Philadelphia. In addition to the mapping system, the team will compile the data of each bridge into a database. The tangible aspect of the project will be a focused map of Philadelphia with all the bridges highlighted, and a formal report and presentation of the team’s findings.

Database: The team will create a custom database, compiled from federal and state sources.The database will consist of chosen facts after extensive study of the given public sources. The facts will be then cross-referenced with the four sources and the team’s on site evaluation..The database will be created using online and open source programs such as Open office base and Access.

Mao: A custom web based mapping system containing all of the bridges that can be found in the online database will be created using advance software like GIS. This map will allow users to cycle through the city and select any of the different historical bridges that we have researched. The map will have stored information that correlates with all of the information that can be found in the online database.  Each bridge will have its name, location, picture and facts selected for display.  

Document: A final report will be submitted as a key component of the final deliverable. The report will document the processes that the team developed and followed in order to create the database, fields captures, data collection process, web-interface functionality, user instructions. The report will also provide a general discussion about the entire historic bridge population in Philadelphia, as well as a focused discussion highlighting a few bridge’s historical context.

Physical Map (Tangible deliverable): The team will print out a large map consisting of multiple data components from the mapping system GIS. The team will determine which layers. filters, and other visual options will best display the information and data that was collect throughout the term.  

Technical Activities

The major tasks to be completed in the team’s project can be broken up into three subsections.  The first of which is the data collection and organization of said data.  The activities within the project span both the fields of technical and investigation.

Formation of Databas

The database will be a compilation of facts chosen from four federal and state sources. The data will be then filtered to focus on bridges located in Philadelphia only.Furthermore,special emphasis will be given to historic bridges.The team will implement database software (Open office based ) to accomplish these tasks and create the database.

3.2    Custom Web Based Map

The team will employ a web-based mapping program GIS (geographic information system), utilizing it’s illustration and mapping abilities to generate a multiple layered schematic.The program will be linked to the database and will import data for specific bridges from the database.It will then execute specific algorithms to render a custom map of Philadelphia, highlighting the imported data. Demonstrating the data using multiple layers and presenting it in a visual manner while still fully depicting the entirety of it.

3.3    Visitation and on Site Survey

The team will travel to each of the selected bridges to observe and document various aspects of the bridges along with collecting photographic documentation, current structural status, and material composition.Thus confirming or denying the credibility of the given sources and providing tangible evidence to both the database and this project.

Project Timeline:

Task	Week
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Project Planning	x	x
Data collection, Simplification, Organization,  and Analysis		x	x
Creation of Google Map and Additional Data Formation			x	x
Selection of Focus Bridges				x
Visitation, observation, on site research of Focus Bridges #1 and #2					x	x
Additional research of Focus Bridges #1 and #2					x	x	x	x
Creation of Physical Deliverable						x	x	x	x
Final report preparation									x	x

Facilities and Resources

To insure the success of this project, the team will require certain knowledge and expertise from their academic advisers.  Primarily, they will need assistance in the learning and mastering of the online database programs and web based mapping systems. Furthermore, the team will need advanced knowledge and information about bridge structures and designs while participating in the on-site surveying.  Next, the team will require access to limited sources.  Finally, constant guidance from the academic advisers will be appreciated to insure the team stays on pace and completes this project with the utmost success.  

Expertise

Due to the broad foundation of this project, experience in multiple fields is essential before beginning the project in order to insure maximum success.  

• Knowledge of online and open database programs
• Knowledge of the functionality and proper use of different types of maps and mapping systems
• Basic photography skills to successfully survey and record visual data

Budget

Category	Projected Cost
Hard Hats (5) and Safety Vest (5)	$75.00
Map Printout and Backing Support	$25.00
Transportation	$20.00
Miscellaneous	$30.00
Total	$150.00

1. Hard Hats and Safety Vests

The team will purchase hard hats and safety vests to properly protect and identify themselves while doing on-site surveying and data recording.  

2. Map Printout and Backing Support

The team will professionally printout a large poster styled  display of the web based mapping system to create a tangible illustration of the data.  

3. Transportation

To acquire accurate and current data from Philadelphia’s historic bridges , the team will require transport to various locations for on-site surveys and recording visual data.

4. Miscellaneous

This portion of the budget will be utilized to make any unforeseen purchases or to deal with any potential future setbacks that may occur.