Over the past few weeks, our code developers have added three new assets that can be mapped in the CSDatum Map. These new assets have been requested by users, so we think that many municipalities will find them to be useful.

In short, the new assets are: Easements and Rights-of-Way, Fences, and Guide Rail. If you have GIS data of any of these items, we can import that directly. If you don't, you can draw those assets right in CSDatum. Read below about each of these three new assets.

We've heard from many users that easements and rights-of-way are a concern when residents come in to pull a permit for a new structure on their property. Many properties have easements for stormwater or utilities on them, and they limit what can be done within the easement. Similarly, the road right-of-way must be kept clear and usable for transportation and maintenance. Without a mapping system like CSDatum, you often have to pull out the subdivision plan to confirm the location of easements or rights-of-way on a lot.

Mapping the easements and rights-of-way within your municipality makes these invisible features visible. It makes these areas that are off-limits for building easily identifiable, and enables you to communicate those areas to permit applicants.

Are you ready to start mapping easements? If so, they are under the Municipal layer, so head to Municipal > Easement. If you don't see the Easement asset, you may have to use the Add Asset button.

After you map the area of the easement, fill in the data within the Asset Information window and click Save.

Our software users have fences around all sorts of stuff: stormwater basins, road rights-of-way, playgrounds, wastewater treatment plants, salt sheds, and the list goes on. Just like all other pieces of public infrastructure, locating fences and inspecting them on a regular basis is a good management practice. That's why we added this new asset to the CSDatum Map.

Use the map to mark the location of your fences, and then add relevant information about the type of fence and date of install. Just like all other assets in CSDatum, you can add photos of the asset and upload relevant documents, like construction specs.

When you're ready to start marking fences in the Map, you'll find the button under the Property layer at Property > Fence. If you don't see the Fence asset, you will have to use the Add Asset button.

After you map the fence line, fill in the data within the Asset Information window and click Save.

There are miles and miles of guide rail on our roadways. It's a lot to track and maintain. We've heard from our users that they want to employ the easy-to-use tools in the CSDatum Map to create an inventory of guide rail, inspect it on a regular basis, and then mark areas of damage or disrepair for maintenance and upgrades. We love nothing more than adding new features that our users are asking for.

Use the map to mark the location of all your guide rail, and then add relevant information about it's materials, post spacing, and end treatment. Just like all other assets in CSDatum, you can add photos of the asset and upload relevant documents, like construction specs.

When you're ready to start marking guide rail in the Map, you'll find the button under the Municipal Layer at Municipal > Guide Rail. If you don't see the Guide Rail asset, you will have to use the + Add Asset button.

After you map the guide rail, enter the relevant data into the Asset Information window. Guide rail data can be entered directly, but there's also a way to automate some of the data fields. If you know the PennDOT standard that the guide rail was designed to meet, you can choose it in the Designed Type dropdown. After using the dropdown, click the Magic Wand button to automatically fill in the data. The linked PennDOT Roadside Manual explains the different guide rail design types.