Traveler Information Systems Developer

The Wisconsin Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory (TOPS Lab), part of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a comprehensive state-of-the-art program spanning many elements of transportation research and development. The TOPS Lab is the focal point for traffic operations and safety research at UW-Madison, providing a forum for classroom teaching and experimentation with the latest transportation technologies and systems. With over 40 research projects active at any time, the TOPS Lab also provides research and engineering services to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and other local, state, and federal organizations. 

The TOPS Lab Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program area works closely with the WisDOT Bureau of Traffic Operations and associated multistate transportation operations programs on a variety of initiatives related to transportation technologies, systems engineering, spatial information and asset management, and traveler information.

The TOPS Lab is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Traveler Information Systems Developer (TISD). This position is an excellent opportunity for technical growth and project management responsibilities, while researching and developing state-of-the-art tools to improve transportation operations and traveler information throughout the region. The position is part of the TOPS Lab ITS Program, and the TISD reports to the TOPS Lab ITS Program Manager. 

The TOPS Lab TISD serves as the lead designer, planner, developer, and maintainer for web-based traveler information content management systems that use reusable, open standards. The chief system the TISD is responsible for is the 511 Projects site (projects.511wi.gov), which was launched July 2012 and targeted at the largest highway projects (e.g., >$500 million). This complex system calls on many of the qualifications (listed above) sought for this position and includes overseeing the operations of the system, training and coordination with WisDOT staff, the main 511 consultant, and other project stakeholders; management of the hosting and monitoring subcontractor; planning, prioritizing, and executing system upgrades or enhancements; research and assessment of what other agencies are doing to support traveler information for major construction projects; and development of a five-year program plan that encompasses organizational, technical, and funding requirements.

The TISD will also work with ITS researchers on the SpatialInfo ITS and communications inventory system, which exists on an Oracle Spatial database and requires extensive static and online mapping using ArcGIS.

Much of the TISD’s work closely involves the TOPS Lab Information Technology (IT) Program and the WisTransPortal transportation data hub. An example of this is a winter road condition reporting system now under development for the Wisconsin State Patrol, which provides the database and real-time service for winter road conditions, with interfaces both to the operators and to external traveler information providers, including 511. 

The TISD will work with two multistate coalitions on high impact work zone mapping applications. A prototype currently in service requires support, and an upcoming project includes rebuilding this as a web mapping application that allows authenticated stakeholders to define work zone boundaries, directions, descriptions, impact, and other characteristics in addition to major special event information, while planning for subsequent automating and enhancements. 

The TISD is also expected to be a state-of-the-art GIS resource for the TOPS Lab. While still supporting ArcGIS use, the TISD must stay abreast of industry best practices, including, for example, bringing open source GIS to bear on projects less suited to ESRI or Google frameworks. 

A mission of the TOPS Lab is advancing knowledge through scientific research, and as part of this role, the TISD will contribute to academic publication and presentations related to this mission and the TISD position. 

This position is located at the UW-Madison College of Engineering. Some travel within Wisconsin, e.g., to the WisDOT Statewide Traffic Operations Center in Milwaukee, and to national meetings will be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to UW policies and procedures.

Degree and area of specialization:

B.S. in computer science, geographic information, management information, electrical engineering, or a related systems engineering discipline. M.S. in related field preferred.

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:

Minimum of 3 years of professional (non-school) experience desired. 

The candidate must have sufficient technical background, through a combination of education and work experience, to understand complex geographic information systems (GIS), databases, and web applications related to transportation data and traveler information. 

The successful candidate will have a strong background in GIS, content management systems (CMS), data quality assurance practices, project management, and XML for data exchange. 

Knowledge or experience in the following areas is desirable:

• GIS applications, cartography, web map services (WMS), ArcGIS Server
• Web development and/or web design, including CSS, JavaScript, PHP, progressive enhancement, mobile web
• Database applications, SQL, use of Oracle, Oracle Spatial, MySQL
• Graphics, including Adobe CS, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver
• Web CMS, including Liferay, both backend and front end
• XML and related interface and scripting, e.g., Python, JSON

Evidence, examples, or demonstration of these skills is required. Duties and responsibilities will increase with experience.