Sandra Belanger
Dr. Stephen Kwan

Created by Congress in 1991

Technical Documentation Page
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
List of Figures and Tables
Executive Summary
Acronyms
About the Authors

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72)

This research project was funded by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The authors would like to thank the following San José State University undergraduate and graduate students who assisted the project team. Regis Charton programmed the search interface for World Wide Web access to the Library Resource Database. Minnie Lui worked to improve the graphical displays for TransWeb and analyzed the survey results. The Library Resource Database was developed by Jennifer English. The dedication and commitment of these students played a crucial role in the successful completion of the project.

The draft report was reviewed extensively by IISTPS Web Administrator Jeanne Dittman and Research Director Bill Derrick prior to publication, resulting in substantial revisions to the document. The material for this report was edited and prepared for publication by IISTPS Research Associate John Vargo.

The Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies (IISTPS) at San José State University (SJSU) has been fortunate to receive federal and state for the purchase and development of a state-of-the-art electronic information storage, retrieval, and transfer system, originally known as the International Transportation Information System (ITIS). The project was sponsored by Caltrans as the "Maintenance and Continued Development of a Transportation Information System Utilizing ITISÔ ."

The first year of development of TransWeb is documented in IISTPS Report Number 96-3, "The Development of a Statewide Surface Transportation Network Utilizing the International Transportation Information System." This report covers the second phase of the project from January 1996 through December 1998.

As with all IISTPS projects, this project was carried out by a team of certified research associates. Sandra E. Belanger and Dr. Stephen Kwan served as the project team, assisted by several SJSU undergraduate and graduate students. The students had experience with software, database construction, the Internet, or library-related services.

The project included:

• the maintenance and continuing development of a World Wide Web site for IISTPS, known as TransWeb;
• the development and maintenance of a library resource database; and
• a survey of transportation professionals, primarily in California, regarding their use of the Internet and TransWeb.

The organizational structure and content of TransWeb and the library resource database continue to develop, reflecting the changing needs of IISTPS and the transportation community. Major improvements to the TransWeb web site have involved the expansion of international links and information on IISTPS and the addition of creative work by children about transportation.

The surface transportation information network is constantly updated and maintained. Student assistants follow a schedule of daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance of the content of TransWeb and the Library Resource Database. New technological developments have permitted enhanced graphics and improved organization.

The Conclusions and Recommendations section of this report focuses on the continuing maintenance and updating of the equipment, features, and content of both the web site and the database. These should reflect both technological advances and the growing importance of the World Wide Web for the transportation professional, researcher, and student.

In addition, it is recommended that the next phase of the project explore a more permanent approach to supporting the TranWeb web site by either outsourcing or hiring an in-house webmaster.

This report describes the continuing development of a research project entitled "Development of a Transportation Information Network Utilizing ITIS". The Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies (IISTPS) conducts this project for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). There are three major components in the project.

• TransWeb, the World Wide Web site for IISTPS, which supports the administrative, educational, research, and information technology functions of the Institute’s Congressional mandate. TransWeb is a reference source and a gateway to transportation information for agencies and individuals in California, the nation, and the world.

• The Library Resource Database, the Institute’s repository for print resources, which organizes and catalogs the Institute’s library.

• The Transportation Internet Use Survey, which was conducted initially in 1995 and again in 1997.

After the initial stage, the project was extended to cover the period of January 1996 through December 1998.

The project team consisted of Sandra E. Belanger, Project Director, and Dr. Stephen Kwan, webmaster. Three student assistants were hired during the course of the project. They were chosen for their database, artistic, or library experience. One student, Regis Charton, was hired specifically to program the search interface for World Wide Web access to the Library Resource Database. Minnie Lui worked to improve the graphical displays for TransWeb and analyze the survey results. These two students, under the direction of Stephen Kwan, worked to maintain links to important resources, investigate potential new resources, improve the appearance and ease of use of the site, and to update the features of TransWeb. The Library Resource Database and its collection were developed by Jennifer English, under the direction of Sandra E. Belanger.

The project has exceeded expectations and did so within budget due to the commitment of the project team and the student assistants.

TransWeb continues to be IISTPS’ primary means of disseminating information about transportation and about the Institute’s programs, publications, and events. While the initial phase of the project created the framework, the current phase has focused on improving the site by adding content and links.

TransWeb is maintained by the webmaster and student assistants. A World Wide Web site attracts repeat users only if it functions correctly, offers current information, can be easily navigated, and has links that lead to useful information. Maintenance activities include checking links to other World Wide Web sites, investigating new transportation sites, and adding new material each week, to Transportation News. A conscientious effort has been made to improve the information on transportation in California and to expand links to related sites. As new software and new techniques become available, they are evaluated and applied to TransWeb if appropriate. For example, frames and Javascript™-based pull-down menus were used to enhance TransWeb’s Table of Contents page.

The infrastructure behind the TransWeb network requires constant updating and maintenance. The equipment is maintained by the computing personnel of the San José State University College of Business, and upgrades are purchased as needed. Standard procedures include a periodic review and update by the project team and the student assistants.

Part of the maintenance process has involved reorganizing the content and increasing information about the Institute. Announcements of Institute activities such as seminars, conferences, and courses are now available. This information is renewed and updated as required.

Major improvements to TransWeb have included the addition of Kids in Transportation section, and the enhancement of the International Transportation Information links, and IISTPS Information. Kids in Transportation is devoted to creative writing, journalistic reporting, drawing, and other creative work by children about transportation. Each report reflects a child’s view of a particular mode of transportation. Special links have been added to other Web-based transportation sources that are designed for or of interest to children.

The International Transportation Information links page was expanded to offer a clickable world map. International associations, organizations, and other sites can be located through alphabetical, geographical, and topical searches.

The IISTPS Information page has been enhanced with information about personnel, activities, publications, and courses.

The site now includes biographical information about the IISTPS staff, Research Associates, and Board of Directors. The format incorporates basic information, such as each person’s name and e-mail address, and links to information about their research interests and Institute projects. For example, the guide to the papers of Rod Diridon in the SJSU Legislative Archives is linked to his biographical information. Since the Institute is named in his honor, biographical information on Norman Y. Mineta and related World Wide Web links for the former Congressman were also added.

As seminars, symposia, and conferences are offered by the Institute, information and registration forms are added to TransWeb. Course listings and other information on the Master of Science degree in Transportation Management, which was recently approved by the California State University system, can be accessed through TransWeb. IISTPS project reports and other publications can be ordered by completing and submitting the on-line order form.

The following pages are representative samples of the TransWeb site.

What's New | IISTPS Library
California | National | International | Links
Contents | Glossary | Statistics | Feedback | Search
Help | New Graduate Level Courses in Transportation Management
Kids & Transportation | IISTPS Information | Transportation News

General Introduction

- Further information available

• Profile of Shirley DeLibero IISTPS Board of Trustees
• Education
• IISTPS Symposium - Toward a Better Future? Labor-Management Relations in Surface Transportation
• Research
• Publications
• A Message from the Executive Director
• Research Profile - Protecting Against Terrorist Attacks on Surface Transporation

[1996 News] [January to April 1997 News] [May to September 1997 News]

This section of TransWeb summarizes transportation news stories from daily and weekly newspapers. The focus is on surface transportation news from California and beyond. Transport World is a good source for news from other transportation sectors.

05/11/98 - A Bridge For The 21st Century
More than 60 years after it was erected, the eastern half of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is being replaced.
(San Francisco Chronicle - 05/11/98)

05/11/98 - Chrysler To Merge With Benz
The combination will mark the biggest acquisition of any U.S. company by a foreign buyer. Chrysler Corp. and Germany's Daimler-Benz AG have agreed to a $35 billion merger that will reshape the global auto industry, the two companies confirmed early today.
(San José Mercury News - 05/05/98)

04/21/98 - Freeway Plan In Sonoma: Supervisors to discuss widening Highway 101
Sonoma County supervisors are expected to decide tonight whether to offer voters the chance at widening Highway 101 all the way to the Marin County line, as part of a massive transportation plan.
(By Peter Fimrite, Chronicle Staff Writer - 04/21/98)

04/13/98 - $217 billion roads bill wins House OK
The House Wednesday night overwhelmingly approved the biggest public-works bill in the nation's history, a $217 billion transportation plan. "This is legislation to rebuild America so we have a 21st Century transportation system in the 21st Century," said Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster. The measure, which passed 337-80, now goes to a conference committee to be reconciled with the Senate version. Under the House proposal, California would get $2.5 billion through 2003, a $1.8 billion increase and slightly higher than the $2.3 billion included in a $214 billion plan approved by the Senate. However, there is concern that Congress already is slipping back into its old spending days.

Publications

The Masters of Science in Transportation Management (MSTM) is a 30 unit program consisting of six core courses, three electives and one capstone course. Admission to the AACSB accredited MSTM requires an accredited undergraduate degree, a 3.0 in your last 60 units of accredited course work and a 500 on the GMAT. For students with English as a second language, the TOEFL is also required with a score of 550.

[Africa] [Asia] [Australasia] [Europe] [North America] [South America]

The following Web sites contained transportation information geared towards young people of all ages.

[Caltrans Information] [Districts] [Counties]
[Regional Transportation Planning Agencies] [Congestion Management Agencies]
[Air Pollution Management] [Transit Properties] [WWW Links]

[August '96 - November '96] [December '96 - Present]

[About TransWeb] [About IISTPS]

The site statistics for Transweb are collected and analyzed using the WebTrends™ software. For this report, a week in May 1998 was chosen at random and the site statistics calculated. That week, from May 13^th to May 19^th, 62% of the 967 visitors to the TransWeb site were from the United States, the majority of them from California. 12% were from overseas, and 25% were visitors of unknown origin. While the number of international visitors seems small, these results should change as the number of international resources on the site is increased. A feedback form is available so that users can send in comments on and suggestions for improvements to the site.

The most requested page on the site, and the most frequent entry page, was the TransWeb home page. The fact that other pages, such as the European Information page, were used to enter the site, indicates that users have visited TransWeb before and bookmarked that page in order to return to it. The average visitor to the most viewed pages did not spend much time on them before moving elsewhere, presumably to the page that they were seeking.

In that week, almost no files were downloaded from the site and few of the scripts were executed. Visitors to TransWeb were therefore more interested in reading the information available as html pages and did not need to use the search engine.

The site received over 90% of its visitors during the work week, but only 57% of these visits were made during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. As the majority of visitors is from the US, especially California, it would appear that browsing the TransWeb site tends to take place at lunchtime, in mid-afternoon, or late at night.

Detailed statistics for the site are shown on the following pages.

The User Profile by Regions graph identifies the general location of the visitors to your Web site. The General Statistics table includes statistics on the total activity for this server during the designated time frame.

This section breaks down Web site activity to show which of the North American States and Provinces were the most active on your site. This information is based on where the domain name of the visitor is registered, and may not always be an accurate representation of the actual geographic location of this visitor. This information can only be displayed if reverse DNS lookups have been performed.

This section further breaks down your Web site's activity to show which cities were the most active on your site. This information is based on where the domain name of the visitor is registered, and may not always be an accurate representation of the actual geographic location of this visitor. This information can only be displayed if reverse DNS lookups have been performed.

This section identifies the top locations of the users of your site by country. The country of the user is determined by the suffix of their domain name. Use this information carefully because this information is based on where the domain name of the visitor is registered, and may not always be an accurate identifier of the actual geographic location of this visitor (for example, individual visitors will often be seen as coming from the state where their ISP is registered.)

This section identifies the most popular Web Site pages and how often they were accessed. The average time a user spends viewing a page is also indicated in the tab

This section identifies the first page viewed when a user visits this site. This is most likely your home page but, in some cases, it may also be specific URLs that users enter to access a particular page directly. The percentages refer to the total number of user sessions that started with a valid Document Type. If the session started on a document with a different type (such as a graphic or sound file), the file is not be counted as an Entry Page, and the session is not counted in the total.

This section identifies the paths people most often follow when visiting your Web site. The path begins at the page of entry and shows the next six consecutive pages viewed.

This section identifies the most popular file downloads of your Web site. If an error occurred during the transfer, that transfer is not counted.

This section identifies the most popular forms or scripts executed by your server. WebTrends counts any line with a Post command or a Get command with a "?" as a form or script, and shows only successful hits.

This section outlines general server activity, comparing the level of activity on weekdays and weekends. Averages in the table do not include erred hits.

This section shows the activity for each day of the week for the report period (i.e. if there are two Mondays in the report period, the value presented is the sum of all hits for both Mondays.) The Total Weekdays line indicates the number of hits occurring Monday through Friday of the report period. The Total Weekends line indicates the number of hits occurring Saturday and Sunday of the report period. Values in the table do not include erred hits.

This section shows the most and the least active hour of the day for the report period. The second table breaks down activity for the given report period to show the average activity for each individual hour of the day.