Geomatic Technologies completes Integral Energy Track Mapping Pilot Project

NSW, Australia 2007 – Geomatic Technologies (GT), has successfully completed a pilot data capture project, on behalf of Integral Energy.

Project Brief – In 2007 Integral Energy determined that improved corridor access information was required for the satisfactory management of incidents that occurred within the transmission corridor. Integral Energy engaged GT to conduct a pilot data capture survey of access tracks. GT was required to map the most accessible route to the transmission towers, incorporating the location of each pole/tower.

Project Solution – A single 4-WD mapping vehicle was configured with the GT AIMS hardware (computers, differential GPS, OH&S fit-out) and software. Integral Energy supplied GT with an extract from their GIS that contained the transmission corridor centrelines, the NSW public road network, high resolution aerial imagery and power assets i.e. conductors, substations.

The Integral Energy mapping specification included detailed definitions of track restrictions such as track conditions, vegetation growth, gate types and gate width measurements which were imparted to the GT project team over a 2-day training and observation period.

GT coordinated the Access tracks using differential GPS as the mapping vehicle transited their length after leaving the public road network.

Each track was represented by a series of nodes supplied at a 5m interval with relevant features snapped to the track polyline such that track topology and relationship to the public road network was maintained (essentially the data supplied by GT could be used in routable navigation dataset).

The GT team visited and mapped all high voltage poles and towers in the specified region and digital photos were taken of gates and track obstructions, to complement the GIS data delivered.

GT delivered a series of hardcopy map books to Integral Energy, to assist their field crews in locating assets via the most direct route. All data was supplied to Integral Energy in Map Info format for subsequent loading into their enterprise GIS system. The pilot project was successful due to the systems and procedures in place and the professionalism and can-do attitude of the GT staff. GT was awarded the task of extending the work to encompass a further five depot regions, this project is to be completed by late January 2008.

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