Bringing Montana’s History into the Future: Modernizing MDT’s Interpretive Marker System

Details

• Creators:
  Villwock-Witte, Natalie ; Clouser, Karalyn
• Corporate Creators:
  Montana State University. Western Transportation Institute
• Corporate Contributors:
  Montana Department of Transportation. Research Programs ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Digital Maps Geologic Guide Signs Historic Interactive Markers Mobile Applications Modernization Online Interactive Maps
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA/MT-25-003/10403-955
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.21949/1529567
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Montana
• Edition:
  Final Report (May 2024-October 2025)
• Corporate Publisher:
  Montana. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  The Montana Department of Transportation currently administers 295 interpretive markers along the state’s primary and secondary roads and in rest areas along interstates. Historically, travelers could stop to read the interpretive markers. Then, printable guidebooks were created, with some agencies still using these today. With contemporary technology, interactive online maps are becoming more commonplace, some which have a companion mobile application (app). This research reviewed twenty-three apps to identify some of the innovative content. It asked peer agencies that use apps about their experiences. Allowing offline use and ensuring that continued maintenance can be performed are key needs. The use of augmented reality is one of the most novel approaches that is still in its infancy. The research also reviewed twenty-eight online interactive maps to identify best practices. Enabling users to provide feedback via integrated forms and allowing for open and keyword-focused searches were two best practices. Many of the recommendations were related to avenues for sharing the data, including on a publicly accessible online interactive map. Several suggestions for improvements to the online interactive map were provided. There is also a need to plan for how the interpretive marker data is managed going forward.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  10403-955
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bfd441ffc2b4e906e36ea33b9e35d09d9f84a0945145467d3ba3a045733b1d25949ebc170141a86d62f66763b20c06169c9387dfdce33e9d6ea5b2a70b6feacd
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88080/dot_88080_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 8.73 MB ]