uav + surveying
A map of major pipelines in the United States. Recent legislation calls for increased information on the location of buried pipes and utilities.
miles of large collection and transmission lines carry gas from production fields to distribution centers. Some of the most vulnerable pipelines are in developed and municipal areas including commercial, residential, and industrial settings. In these regions, miles of gas pipelines are not located with any degree of accuracy, or the locations are not recorded in an easily retrievable and shareable format. For example, outdated paper maps often are not tied to accurate coordinate systems. They rely on “tribal knowledge” that comes from an aging workforce — workers nearing retirement age may be the only ones who know the (often approximate) location of the lines. There are enormous hazards related to not knowing where and how deep these gas pipelines are located. Without accurate, readily available location data, pipeline operators, construction companies, farmers, land owners, and other stakeholders will continue to face the risk of accidental and potentially catastrophic damage to a buried gas pipeline. The 2016 PIPES Act passed by Congress calls for increased use of data and technology to improve pipeline safety. Supported by industry players
A new look beneath the surface
Integrating GNSS with advanced technologies for underground asset location improves accuracy and boosts productivity. By Erik Dahlberg
As the U.S. works to improve and rebuild its infrastructure, a major concern is to gain accurate knowledge on the locations and conditions of existing assets. In addition to identifying and planning needed repairs, critical assets must be protected against accidental damage. One of the most important needs is the location of underground natural gas pipelines. According to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, America has more than 1.8 million miles of gas distribution mains and service pipelines. In addition, roughly 300,000
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csengineermag.com
april 2018
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