in Austin, Texas. He works with his survey team to utilize thermogra- phy video and drones to assess post-storm damage. They also look for vulnerable infrastructure. In 2017, Reynolds and his team responded to Hurricane Harvey to assist with the identification of both damaged transmission and distribution lines. According to Reynolds, the transmission lines and majority of distribu- tion lines post-Harvey were flown over a wide area with a manned helicopter with an onboard video camera with embedded GPS posi- tions across a three-county area. Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) equipped with GPS, video, and thermal cameras flew over distribution lines that were in heavily vegetated areas. A utility representative sub- ject matter expert accompanied all crews. When a downed line or a line that was not functioning was identified, the coordinates were called into the damage response center via satel- lite phones to dispatch the available repair crews to the location for repair or rebuild. After a formal ‘lessons learned’ meeting about the project with internal and external stakeholders, Reynolds’ team formal- ized a ‘readiness condition plan’ for future storms. This included triggers to prepare for an assessment program as the hurricane was developing, gather response assets, mobilize crews to a safe area near the anticipated impact point before the hurricane made landfall, followed by deployment to the damage assessment rally point when conditions indicated it was safe to begin flight operations. This plan was also utilized in 2019 during Hurricane Dorian. Flight crews and 20 land-based crews accompanied the assessment team and were deployed days before the storm and were ready to as- sist the utility providers, but the storm was downgraded and there was minimal damage. Bowman is at the forefront of the turnkey approach to electric distri- bution storm hardening as utilities race to redesign and harden their systems. With our program approach, we work directly with contrac- tors and other engineering partners to expedite project delivery and improve our storm hardening program’s efficiency. To handle the sheer magnitude of data and complex moving parts of these large programs, Bowman consistently works to improve process- es and procedures for efficiency and accuracy. Among these improve - ments was the development of an online database that provides for real-time project tracking and reporting utilizing the latest cloud-based and geographic information system (GIS) technology. The Bowman team can literally have a drone out in the field while a client sees what the drone sees from wherever they are and can advise of their needs and priorities in real-time. Bowman also has significant augmented reality capabilities so owners can now be in a “situation room” after a storm to view the live feed from the drone to assess the storm or other type of damage situation and deploy crews to the areas of the most urgent need.
This screen grab shows a thermal inspection of a power line.
Reynolds also noted that from surveying to undergrounding power lines, our strength is in our technology and how easily we collaborate to find the right solution for the client. On any given day we’re working with people in 8-10 regions solving different problems. We understand what the client needs, it’s part of our culture to know it and maximize the technology to provide the best possible solution. We have experts in a wide variety of disciplines so we can determine what needs to be put in place. In addition to the high-tech focus at Bowman, we also have a high-touch approach among our more than 850 employees across the country. When we’re not preparing for and surveying damage from storms, much of our work is directly with landowners during fair weather as our team works to storm-harden power lines in subdivisions and rural areas. I remember one instance on a project in Florida where we worked with an out-of-town landowner living in a very rural part of Mexico with no phone, no internet, and no mail service. We negoti - ated through the landowner’s cousin who then visited his relative via donkey so that we could complete the project. It’s also about building relationships and more personal transactions, which are emotional and different from traditional engineering work.
SPENCER FRANCIS is a licensed professional civil engineer with comprehensive technical and leadership experience and expertise in a wide variety of markets including economic development, transportation, stormwater, water/wastewa- ter, energy, and land development. He oversees right-of-way and land services, civil engineering, transportation engineering, and water/wastewater engineering operations throughout the U.S. for Bowman. His ability and knowledge in leading projects from inception through construction helps develop successful projects with regard to their development challenges, the time necessary to overcome those challenges, and how creative and cost-saving solutions may be brought to bear.
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DECEMBER 2021 csengineermag.com
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