Department of Transportation State Photolog Highway films

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2001-17-2010-33

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Department of Transportation State Photolog Highway films include two (2) sets of 35mm color films* on 400 ft. metal reels numbered 1 - 86. One set of films [Set A] has already been used and the other is unused [Set B]. Also includes two copies of the finding aid generated by Goodell-Grivas; B/W photographs of photolog pictures taken at the junction of Routes 14 and 102 in West Greenwich and 1 color photograph of Kingstown Road (Route 108); 35mm Projector “Stop Motion Analyzer”; Neumade splicer with tape; Operator’s manual for 35mm projector; Report entitled “Guidelines for Developing Highway Information Systems Using Photologs” by Goodell-Grivas Inc., Consulting Engineers (Southfield, Michigan), prepared for RIDOT September 1981; Five (5) reels of B filter prints of Reels 79, 80, 81, 82, & 86 on plastic cores in metal cans (metal cans are tin coated raw stock film cans); Grid System Footage on plastic microfilm reel; unidentified film on plastic microfilm reel; 2 films on metal reels - RI Photolog W.I.N. Hearing, March 28, 1984 (internegative and original work print); one unidentified film on metal reel (possibly W.I.N. Hearing user copy).
* Kodak safety film manufactured in Rochester, New York in 1981
A photolog film is a film of sequential images of the highway and its environs taken at equal increments of distance from a moving vehicle at driver’s eye level. The film documents such information as number of lanes, surface type, pavement markings, signs and hazards. It provides a permanent record or history of any one state highway at a given time. Additional information is included in the frame of the image, such as date, route description, direction and milepoint. All state roads were filmed in both directions.
Films are arranged numerically by reel or roll number. All films created in 1981.

Dates

Creation: 1981

Creator

Rhode Island. Department of Transportation (1970-) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.

Biographical / Historical

The Department of Transportation was established in 1970 by statutory authority RIGL§42-13-1. This department replaced the Department of Public Works created by Chapter 5 § 38 of the 1938 General Laws and repealed by Chapter 111 § 1 of the Public Laws of 1970.

The Department of Transportation is responsible for the implementation of both short and long-term transportation improvements for the State of Rhode Island. Included in this effort is the maintenance of over 1,300 miles of roadways, 750 bridges and over 800 traffic signalization systems. The Department is also responsible for maintaining a continuing comprehensive transportation program by coordinating and performing planning functions for all modes of transportation.

The mission of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is to provide a safe, efficient, effective, environmentally, aesthetically and culturally sensitive intermodal transportation network that offers a variety of convenient, cost-effective mobility opportunities for people and the movement of goods supporting economic development and improved quality of life.

Extent

25.3 Linear Feet (26 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of Transportation State Photolog Highway films contain sequential images of the highway and its environs taken at equal increments of distance from a moving vehicle at driver’s eye level. The film documents such information as number of lanes, surface type, pavement markings, signs and hazards. It provides a permanent record or history of any one state highway at a given time. Additional information is included in the frame of the image, such as date, route description, direction and milepoint. All state roads were filmed in both directions.

Custodial History

Films created by Goodell-Grivas Inc under contract with RIDOT. Films were previously in the custody of the Division of Planning. Custody was transferred to the Division of Traffic Engineering after reorganization in 1988.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred from Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Engineering, Paul McEnanly, Room 366, 2 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02903 on March 5, 2001.

Accruals

There was an accrual (2010-33) to these records in 2010 which consisted of duplicate negative files and new prints of 16mm films eproduced from 2001-17 accession. Reproduced duplicate negatives and new prints include Nos. 9, 14, 42, 48, 50, 55, 59, 78, 90, 54, 56, 64, 98, 113. Includes and digital videocassette (Sony DVM60) and DVD copies. Accession also includes 1 16mm color silent film on breakaway signs, an instructional film from Texas A & M University, undated (rec'd 10/28/2010 from DOT).