Empowering Field Crews with AM/FM
The following problems were encountered in development of the GIS database:
Sufficient qualified staff
Training and skills
Employee turnover
Division of labor
Job classification in public sectors
Pet projects overriding required database maintenance
It has become clear that significant time and money can be saved by using external GIS
application development resources. We have successfully used contract application
developers to help design and implement the initial system. As users become accustomed to
the capabilities and request changes and enhancements, we can accommodate them with
internal resources. This has allowed users with minimal training to use the GIS and get a
jump on the learning curve.
Utility Enterprise Database Facility Maintenance Tool
Following development of the basic UEDB architecture, a simple, easy to use, data
maintenance tool was needed. At a high level, this tool must be able to enter, update and
manipulate any utility facility and related attribute information. The screen navigation and
database maintenance tools should be intuitive and personnel must be able to use the system
with a minimum of training. The maintenance tool should have rules based processing to
allow clear definition of data requirements such as placement, connectivity, required values
and other validity checks. By using the rules based approach, the system can be setup for
non-skilled operators to assist in data maintenance with minimum intervention of
supervisors.
We have implemented the first application for UEDB data maintenance, an EFM (Electric
Facilities Management) tool to input, change and maintain GIS information in the office
environment. This tool is used by engineers, data collection crews, quality assurance/control,
and other supervisory personnel. Maintenance tools for Water, Sewer, Gas, and other
Utilities are under development and will be brought on line in 1997.
Work Order Management System
The Work Order Management System is the logical place to organize the business processes
needed to drive data entry and maintenance of the GIS. At the highest level, it must ensure
changes made to any facilities are recorded in the GIS database as quickly as possible.
Additionally, it should track and record work activities and related customer information
(such as, customer cut-on’ s/cut-offs, outages, trouble calls, restoration, new construction,
and day to day facility maintenance).
To achieve a fully integrated UEDB, the Work Order Management System will be integrated
to other management information systems like GIS, Customer Information System FMS
(Financial Management System), PerPay (Personnel and Payroll), Purchasing and
Inventory. As this integration will take some time to complete (estimated 1998
implementation) we have had to develop an interim solution for data collection.
The TTS (Task Tracking System) is an interim work tracking system to be used until a
complete Work Order Management System is in place. To allow a smooth integration of
EFM and the MDCS (Mobile Data Collection System), the TTS is being developed to
simply track what goes on in the field and ensure changes to facilities are put back into the
GIS database the same day. It will be used by engineers, service and construction crews,
and management within each of the six operating utilities (water, sewer, gas, electric, storm
water management, and solid waste). The system will increase efficiency by identification of
performance problems and provide management with greater reporting capabilities.
With TTS in place, Work Order Management System (WOMS) development can continue
while data collection and GIS database maintenance begins. We believe it will be a smooth
transition to integrate MDCS and Task Tracking data into final GIS/WOMS by using Oracle
and other standard development tools in our current development efforts.
MDCS - Mobile Data Collection System
The MDCS is a set of applications that run on a rugged pen based microcomputer. The
applications are used to collect and maintain data on all electric facilities and water and sewer
infrastructure. The pen computer system is designed to be used in the field. Since that is
where work is accomplished, we feel that is where work management tracking and facility
management should begin.
Given the base map situation and existing facilities data, we chose to develop a MDCS for
data collection and maintenance. The tool will also be used in the quality control process to
verify field inventory data that will be collected by contractors and internal staff. Internal
users of the MDCS will be the engineers, service crews, data collection crews, Q-WQC
personnel, supervisors, field facility locators, inspection personnel and construction crews.
With a UEDB populated with current facility and customer information, the MDCS becomes
an extension of the UEDB to bring field crews access to data that was previously unavailable.
We believe this will have the most significant impact on personnel productivity, customer
response times -- plus ensure an accurate, up-to-date UEDB.
Listed are the existing MDCS applications and some of the capabilities.
Electric GIS facility data collection and maintenance for all facilities.
Data collection, quality assurance and quality control to check and verify data
collected by contractors during the field inventory.
SLD (replaces map books in the vehicles)
Red Line tool for SLD and map markup and correction. Plus reporting of new field
problems.
Basic map display and navigation including, zoom to customer, address,
intersection, substation, or any facility. Zoom to scale, plus the ability to turn on
and off base map layers.
The MDCS has an integrated real time sub-meter (30-40 cm accuracy) Differential GPS for
spatial positioning of facilities. While you have a map displayed on the screen there is a
floating dot to show your current position in real time. The DGPS updates your location
every second, enabling a constant real time GPS fix for any facility you wish to map.
In Tallahassee, there is a relatively dense tree coverage throughout the community. All GPS
receivers experience problems obtaining accurate positional fixes when trees obscure the line
of sight between the receiver and the GPS satellites. We developed a laser range finder
interface to position facilities under heavy tree cover and also help in the ‘urban canyons’ of
the down town areas. The user stands in an open area to get an accurate DGPS fix. This
establishes an origin to begin using the laser. The laser range finder is pointed at a facility
such as a pole and the trigger is pulled. The application takes the angle and distance
information from the laser and combines it with the DGPS fix. This calculation places the
pole on the base map in the correct location within one second.
We developed the interface to the Task Tracking System to manage all field activities until
Work Order Management is developed.
The MDCS has the capability to perform unattended hands off, upload and download
(synchronization) of facility and work order information. This will ensure that all users have
the latest information possible. The pen units are docked every afternoon and new data from
the field is uploaded to the UEDB. New data from the UEDB is also downloaded at night,
back to the MDCS, so each user has the most current facility and customer data. Data
formats currently supported are .dxf, . dwg, .tif, .grd, .pic, GINA, Oracle, DBase IV
Theses are a few of the planned applications for 1997.
- Field construction design and cost estimation.
(design, bill of materials and facility location and staking)
- CIS information available on the map in the field.
- Full blown Work Order Management interface to replace TTS
- Trouble call
- Dispatch and routing 800 MHz radio interface for near real time GIS.
- Automated vehicle location.
During the pilot data collection effort we were collecting overhead data at a rate of over a
mile a day, This included positioning and attribute collection for overhead primary and
secondary in both urban and rural areas. The end user acceptance has been enthusiastic and
most field personnel are eager to get the MDCS units installed in their vehicles.
Conclusions
With the advent of affordable real time DGPS and laser range finding equipment and the
development of the Mobile Data Collection System, the Utility Services Department will be
able to effectively maintain and support the UEDB. Current and accurate information, that is
readily available for the field service personnel, will have the greatest impact in the areas of
UEDB maintenance and provide enhanced customer service.
