Utilizing GIS and automated field data collection for F.E.R.C. filings and new construction
Gary Soward Survey/Mapping/GIS Coordinator Willbros Engineers, Inc. 2087 East 71 st Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Abstract Willbros Group, Inc.has completed numerous FERC filings, engineered pipelines, embraced GIS technologies and automated data collection to increase efficiencies, reduce timeframes, and lower costs to it's client base. Willbros will present the overall process that is currently being utilized, technologies deployed both in the field and office environments, integration of material procurement, and cost savings achieved. Technology revolution When Willbros decided to step in to the world of computer-aided drafting and design our initial use for the CADD workstation was primarily intended for piping and electrical applications. What we didn’t realize was how much effect it would have on our survey and mapping program. As the survey and mapping group began to explore ways to utilize this technology we quickly discovered that by inputting hard copy survey notes into a spreadsheet and formatting it correctly we could run a script file and automatically plot the route. It only took seconds as we watched the route appear on the screen for us to realize the time saving effect that automation would have on the survey and mapping world. We knew, from our early experiences, that we wanted to continue in the direction of automation both with survey data collection and design drawings. From those early days until know the advancement in technology has allowed use to develop processes and procedures that continually produce time saving benefits. The development of the Geographic Positioning System and the availability for civilian use has allowed us to collect data in real time. The advantage of this technology alone has saved countless hours of field survey. The collection equipment that has been developed for use with GPS technology has increased production and simplified our processes. But to be successful from field to finish we needed to have a clear definition of how we intended to collect, process and display data and we had to make sure that team members understood the plan and our new philosophy. We’re going to look at two key areas of our processes, Data Collection and Mapping. F.E.R.C., Preliminary and data processing We adopted a new philosophy of how we were going to collect data for a F.E.R.C. filling, supplement that data for preliminary construction issue and process the data. The data also had to be usable by project team members and since we use M.J. Harden to generate alignment sheets it also had to flow smoothly in to their PipeView and SheetGen database. To help understand the new philosophy we developed new procedures outlining the specific way data was to be collected and processed. Survey project setup In the project setup phase we’re going to look at the project plan and define what’s in the scope of work. We take the scope of work and if needed we tailor our standard procedures to meet the scope. Since all of our data is going to be collected in real world coordinates we need to find out what the coordinate system is going to be. The data collectors are set to the project coordinate system and the data dictionary is also loaded. We also acquire all project maps including aerial photography.
The control network is an intricate part of the project. All data collected will be projected and checked against the control network. In preparing our control network plan a review of maps and aerial photography will help determine the best locations for monuments. The type of monument, permanent or temporary, as well as existing monuments will be reviewed. We’ll investigate whether we’re adding to an existing control network or setting a new network. If we’re adding to an existing control network a listing of the monument coordinates will be needed and a validation of the data will need to be performed. Once these steps are taken we are ready to mobilize to set our control network.
The philosophy we’ve adopted for collecting data for a F.E.R.C. filling is, only collect what is needed for the filling. Also, only collect features you can’t extract from the ortho-corrected aerial photography. The DTM data from the ortho-corrected photography can also be used for many design applications such as profile updates resulting from digital re-routes. The primary focus on a F.E.R.C. survey will be the route collection and site specific design.
The route centerline as well as additional temporary workspace will be staked and collected. This also provides the route information for the environmental teams. As the environmental team makes their delineations a survey crew will perform a follow up survey to collect those sites.
As the route is laid out and staked site specific survey crews will pick up supplemental data. We typically collect data using Total Station or GPS units. To help reduce time spent in the field we have started to use laser technology to collect data. This allows us to take a multitude of shots from a single point with out leaving the proposed construction workspace or entering a property without pre-approval. One good example of Laser usage would be when collecting data for a residential detail. Upon completion of the first pass all the data needed from the field has been collected. Any additional data needed to complete drawings and reports will come from ortho-corrected photography, maps, and reports generated from field data processing.
Additional data needed to complete the engineering design will be collected after the F.E.R.C. filing and would primarily consist of supplemental data for site specific designs, re-routes and boundary surveys. In many situations additional data can be extracted from field data collected on the F.E.R.C. survey or ortho photography. This type of data extraction further eliminates the need for field survey.
A key component to survey data collection is data checking. To insure data accuracy and reliability a survey data technician is placed in the field on each of our projects to receive data daily and communicate with the survey supervisor. The data tech insures that the data is collected according to the survey procedures and that all data is coded and attributed correctly. This up front interaction between survey and the survey data tech helps head off any problems that would other wise linger through out the project. The main objective is to have good clean usable data.
The data tech will project the data into a CADD file, check it against the control network and verify that the coding and attributes are correct. All electronic files begin and end with a point shot on a control monument. The data is checked to insure that the survey is within tolerance. It’s then checked visually against base files, maps and ortho photography. A review of supplemental hard copy data will show any additional information or notes taken by the surveyor that may or may not need to be included in the electronic file.
If pertinent information is found in the survey hard copy notes that need to be inserted into the electronic files the data tech will perform that task during the formatting stage. They will also edit any other attributes within the data file to conform to standard layout. When the survey has been approved by the data tech it’s transferred to the data processor.
We’ve looked at the processes and procedures and details of our philosophy on data collection and data processing. Hopefully you were able to identify some of the time saving features of using electronic data collection equipment. By collecting data in real world coordinates and utilizing a data dictionary you can cut countless hours from your data collection and data processing routines. By using improved technology such as lasers you can also realize additional timesaving benefits. Survey and data processing is just one part of the overall process. To complete the process we have to bring the data that’s been collected and combine it with other information to produce a completed alignment sheet. Alignment sheet Just like in our survey program we re-evaluated our alignment sheet procedures to accommodate GIS ready mapping. Mapping project setup In all Alignment Sheet Projects we want to evaluate and determine what coordinate system to use. We must find out if the project is a client-specified coordinate system or a Willbros defined coordinate system. If the project is client specified we need to know the specified coordinate system. The client may have a specified coordinate system used by their GIS but they may or may not have a preferred CADD platform. If they do we need to request base maps and CADD standards for the project area. The information we’re looking for would be pen tables, color tables, level schemes, feature tables, cell libraries, survey code books and any other tools that would enhance our ability to meet the clients specifications with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. If the client doesn’t have a coordinate system, supporting information and CADD standards in place for the project then we’ll define them.
Data can be gathered from a number of sources. I have listed here types of data that can be retrieved. Some of it is not that easy to work with but at the present time its all that’s available.
Here is a list of base files to be displayed in the window area of the alignment sheets. They are continuous base files and would cover the overall project. The geo-referencing of these files make it possible to extract necessary data to help complete our reports. The ones listed here are normally on every project and they will contain the data needed for the alignment sheet project. There may also be various other base maps defined depending on the type of project. Several of the base files were created using data from the source information previously mentioned.
Reports The survey data is loaded in to the design software and a series of reports are generated. These reports represent the bars on the alignment sheet. The alignment sheet format dictates the reports that are needed to populate those bars. This is a list of the types of reports that we would run on an alignment sheet project.
The generated reports are sent to M.J. Harden for loading in to their PipeView and SheetGen Database. Engineering data
Once all the data has been collected processed and loaded into the database the alignment sheets are generated for a final product.
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