Telus: this state-of-the-practice software is helping MPOs and DOTs improve their transportation planning

Public Roads, Nov-Dec, 2002 by John W. Epling

TELUS National Version 3.0

The most recent version of TELUS (V3.0) was released in the late summer of 2002. Like previous versions, it is a highly graphical, Windows-based program using features of Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications[R] and MS Access 2000[R]. V3.0 will run on a broad range of Windows operating systems, including Windows 95, 98, ME, or NT. In addition, V3.0 requires a Pentium[R] PC processor, preferably with 166 MHz, 64-MB RAM, and 100 MB of hard disk space. A CD-ROM drive is required for installation. If MS Access 2000 is not on the user's hard drive, MS Access 2000 Runtime[R], included on the TELUS installation disk, must be installed.

System Security

The security module enables the MPO and DOT to establish three levels of access to the system (higher levels can perform all the functions described for lower levels). The highest level belongs to the administrator, who controls access to the system by assigning levels of access. Managers, the second level, are responsible for maintaining the TIP database by modifying TIP project information. Viewers, with the lowest level of access, can view TIP information but cannot modify any of the data.

Customization

The customization module enables the user to tailor TELUS to the agency's unique needs and preferences. For instance, TELUS field names can be given an "alias" that will be reflected in all other modules and features. In addition, the user agency can create lists of all the localities in its jurisdiction, various districts (e.g., congressional, legislative) in its area, and, for interstate MPOs, the two or more States involved.

Once the lists are created, they will show up on the other screens as drop-down lists, enabling the user simply to select the proper entry. The user can select the number of years in the TIP, list the agency's phases of work, identify how dollar amounts will be shown (e.g., in thousands), identify user categories that are different from those in TELUS, and other options. These features considerably reduce the time required for data entry and minimize data-entry errors.

Project Information

This module contains all the data about every project in the TIP or the State transportation improvement program (STIP). The project information module is the central database from which other TELUS modules and features draw. Among the data it includes for each project are the project ID number, project name and narrative description, lead agency and contact, project-revision number, narrative project description, project length and limits, narrative remarks about the project, project budget and funding sources, project mode (e.g., transit, highway), FHWA system category (five levels), and project schedule by phase-of-work.

When entering project data, the user also classifies the project as being "TIP," "Pre-TIP," or "Non-TIP" depending, respectively, on whether it has been approved for inclusion in the TIP, is being considered for inclusion, or is not being considered but is a project that the MPO or DOT wishes to track because it affects the transportation network.