Mobile GIS for Mapping New Installations

Monica Ferrer and Alicia Farag, GTI Jerry Golden, 3-GIS

Overview • New Industry Standards • Mobile GIS Technology • High Accuracy GPS • Applications • Pilot Project Lessons Learned

New Industry Standards • Purpose

– Facilitate the use of standard unique identifiers that encode essential asset attribute information

– Algorithms that create unique tracking and traceability identifiers (16-digit alpha numeric code)

– Allow manufacturers to barcode pipe and fittings with a unique identifier

– Allow operators to document the precise location of specific assets

New Industry Standards • Distribution Pipe

– Complete

• Plastic Pipe Fusions – In-process

• Transmission Pipe – Under development

Distribution – ASTM F2897-11a - Standard Specification for

Tracking and Traceability Encoding System of Natural Gas Distribution Components (Pipe, Tubing, Fittings, Valves, and Appurtenances)

Distribution • Unique 16 digit

alpha-numeric code • Manufacturer

implementation through barcoding

Character Number

Source Description of Information

Character Information

1 www.componentid.org Name of component manufacturer

A Corresponds to list on www.componentid.org 2 C

3

Component Manufacturer’s lot code

Information which can help ascertain relevant traceability information upon request

5 Corresponds to the mfg lot number input of

1234567

4 b 5 a 6 n

7 Component production

date code per 5.3

Date of manufacture of given component

0 Corresponds to production date of

1/4/2010 8 6 9 C

10 Component material type per Table 3

Material used for component B PE 2708

11 Component Type per

Table 4 Component type 8 Electrofusion tapping tee

with a stab outlet 12 F

13 Component size per 5.6

Component size 2 Corresponds to size code of 2” IPS SDR11 x 1” IPS

SDR11 14 m 15 X

16 www.componentid.org Reserved for future use 0 Default value

Plastic Pipe Fusions

• Standardizes the output of parameter data from fusion equipment – Ambient temp, heater plate temp, soak time,

fusion pressure, current curve, etc.

• Submitted to ASTM

Transmission • Unique identifier to encode essential attribute

information – Diameter, wall thickness, grade, yield strength,

heat number, etc.

• Under development – Scope of the standard being finalized, algorithm

development complete in 2014

GTI’s Intelligent Pipeline Program • Provide technologies to transition away from manual, paper based data

collection towards automated, mobile, geospatially-enabled data collection

• Reduce the cost of compliance – Hardware and software – Data management labor

• Decrease operational risk

– Data quality – Asset performance trending – Tracking and traceability – Excavation damage prevention

Mobile GIS Technology • Architecture that provides . . .

– Low cost data collection devices

– Simple software

– Access to up-to-date facilities information

– Real-time data submittal from the field

– Minimal back-office processing

Mobile GIS for Mapping New Installations

• Technology – Tablet device with GIS-based data collection software – High accuracy GPS receiver – Application to convert barcode into asset attributes to

auto populate the GIS – Barcode scanner – Disconnected editing

• Pilot projects – Integrys, National Grid, and Avista – Opportunity for additional pilot projects

Mobile GIS for Mapping New Installations

• Automates the entire data collection process for documenting new installations • In less than one minute . . .

– Read, decrypt barcode on asset and create gas GIS feature (main, service, valve, fitting, CP feature, etc.)

– Populated asset attribute information (material type, batch number, etc. from barcode)

– Additional asset information automatically added to asset record from predefined job/work order

– Define asset position geospatially using decimeter quality real-time GPS – Post data in GIS in real-time

ASTM F2897

Decrypt

High Accuracy GPS • Integrated external high accuracy GPS

receivers with tablet computers – Decimeter quality data in real time – Real-time correction via satellite – New assets directly inserted into the GIS – Integrated receivers – Navcom, Geneq,

Trimble

Data Collection Workflow

Collect GPS Data

Manually Enter Asset

Definition

Manually Enter

Attribute Data

Bring Hardware

Back to the Office

Download Data

Post Process

Data

Integrate Data into

GIS System of

Record

Create GIS Asset in the Field

Post to GIS Version Integrate Asset into

GIS System of

Record

>Existing

>New

GIS Data Integration • Software built on ArcGIS with ArcServer → Data goes

directly into the GIS (with controls) • Data is not just collected, the pipe network is actually

being built in the field

Applications • Mapping new installations

– Reduces time required to get data into the GIS – Improves data quality through automation

• Asset tracking and traceability

– Reduces risk of manufacturer recalls – Reduces risk through asset performance tracking

Applications • Excavation damage prevention

– Reduces the risk of inaccurate locates and incorrect maps

• Update existing records – Correct GIS data from the field – Eliminate records backlog

Applicability for Gathering • Tracking and traceability standards have some

applicability for gathering operators if using the same assets and equipment as distribution operators

• Mobile GIS technology – completely applicable for gathering operators

Pilot Project Lessons Learned • Tablet computers

– Ruggedized? – Stability – Integration with external sensors – Screen size – Battery life

• Cloud computing

– More or less secure?

Pilot Project Lessons Learned • Software

– Simple, simple, simple

– The end-user defines simple, not the software engineer

– Must allow flexible workflows

• Ergonomics

– Don’t underestimate the importance of comfort and routine

– Remove barriers to user-acceptance

Pilot Project Lessons Learned • Training

– Interns vs “experienced” workers

– No such thing as too much training

Final Thoughts • The combination of tablet computers and mobile GIS is a

disruptive innovation for the pipeline industry – Mix and match hardware for flexible, customized

configurations – Intuitive software that requires minimal training – Low-cost hardware that can be deployed to the entire

workforce

Status and Next Steps

• Pilot projects on-going • Commercially availability in Q3 2013

Thank you!

Questions?