Mobile Inspector Increases Efficiency at City Department

Permit inspection automation increases efficiency and improves public safety
 
The City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), through its Bureau of Inspections, is responsible for issuing permits for construction on public-rights-of-way within the city’s boundaries.  Every such construction project or any digging must have a Bureau of Inspections-issued permit before work begins, and before a permit could be issued, every project has to have an inspection.

Administration was a challenge.  CDOT’s inspectors had to plan their day by reviewing hundreds of permit applications listed in a report.  The printed report provided no flexibility in finding permits by roadway, construction type or overdue status.  And when inspections were completed, the status of those inspections were not known until an inspector manually entered the results – as much as a week later.  CDOT knew there had to be a better, faster and more efficient way.

A complete front- and back-end mobile solution

Dunn Solutions Group developed a Mobile Inspection application designed specifically for Windows tablet devices.  This system allows inspectors to synchronize their permits with the main permit system, and review and update permit information at work sites.  Most important, the system helps inspectors manage their daily activities by giving them the ability to see and sort their assigned permits by permit status, address or construction type.

System cuts paperwork, speeds process and boosts overall efficiency

Today, more than 30 inspectors are fully mobile, and Mobile Inspector has significantly improved CDOTS permit efficiency.  The system has…

  • eliminated up to one hour per inspector per day of paperwork, and completely eliminated the paper-based reports, which averaged 20 pages per inspector and were produced two- to three-time-per week.
  • automated complex manual planning functions and given inspectors the tools they need to manage their day.
  • made it possible to create inspection blitz programs, such as inspecting all canopy sites in a focused timeframe.
  • created an electronic reference of ordinances, eliminating the need to copy and distribute reference materials, and making it easy to communicate and implement regulation changes.
  • eliminated all field office clerk inspection entry, which consumed four hours per day at four field offices.
  • enabled same-day updates of all permit inspections
  • expanded reference of all permitted sites in an inspector's area of responsibly.
  • provided the basis for a super-inspector system for supervisors without software change.

The automation of the inspection process made it possible to perform more inspections per day, which provides a valuable secondary benefit: a safer environment for construction workers and the public.