FES POSM Gas Cross Bore Elimination

In conjunction with FES, POSM has created a specific POSM Template to assist with Gas Cross Bore Elimination. This consists of a customized Nassco LACP template with optional FES data and a process to automate Lateral Segment References (LSR) IDs. Furthermore a process has been put into place to automate, the creation of GIS maps by utilizing the Auto generated LSRs within each GPS point capture. For more information about point to line creation from POSM data please see the included (ESRI Points to Lines.pdf) document. POSM Map reader will also be utilized to ensure the proper mainline pipes and manholes are inspected and entered correctly.

Contents

FES POSM Gas Cross Bore Elimination.................................................................................................................................... 1
POSM Nassco LACP FES Template ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Lateral Segment Reference (LSR) Generation..................................................................................................................... 6
Send Inspection Data to GPS............................................................................................................................................... 8
Mainline Inspections ........................................................................................................................................................... 9

Cross Bore Elimination Work Flow Diagram ..................................................................................................................... 10

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POSM Nassco LACP FES Template

The modified POSM template is as follows:

Figure 1: FES Nassco LACP Page 1 (Project)

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Figure 2: FES Nassco LACP Page 2 (Location)


Figure 3: FES Nassco LACP Page 3 (Lateral Information)

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Figure 4: FES Nassco LACP Page 4 (Lateral Cont)


Figure 5: FES Nassco LACP Page 5 (Miscellaneous)

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Figure 6: FES Nassco LACP Page 6 (QA/QC)


Figure 7: FES Nassco LACP Page 7 (FES Data)

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Lateral Segment Reference (LSR) Generation

To ensure that each Lateral Segment Reference was created correctly the Auto ID Generator was introduced. This
allows a field in POSM’s header sheet to be created from up to 10 fields already entered into the header.

Figure 8: POSM Auto ID Generate Setup

To create the LSR for FES, six POSM header fields are used.

Lateral Segment Reference: FIeld22
Zip Code: Field64
Building Address: Field33
Upstream Manhole: Field23
Downstream Manhole: Field24
Tap Location: Field26
Lateral Number: Field63
Figure 3 shows an example of when the Generate ID button is pressed to create a LSR of: 94101_122_1_2_15_1. If the user does not enter one for the Auto ID fields, the software will warn the user to enter the field data before the ID will be generated.

In order to automatically draw lines, this Lateral Segment Reference must be used when collecting a GPS point during the inspection. Failure to properly enter the LSR into the GPS will result in data that does not line back up to POSM’s database. To ensure that the correct LSR is entered into the GPS two things must be setup on the GPS unit. First in the data dictionary the LSR must be a repeating field. This will also the LSR to be entered once for the points collected on this inspection and auto repeat for each point on the line. Most importantly the LSR must be entered in exactly as it is entered into POSM. The user may manually enter the LSR into the GPS, but it is recommended that a copy paste solution be used instead. One method would be to setup email accounts with internet air cards on both the POSM inspection computer and the GPS unit. After the header has been filled out, and the LSR has been generated. The LSR may be emailed to the GPS operator. The GPS operator will open their email on the GPS unit, copy the LSR and then paste it into the GPS collection software. This ID will then auto repeat for each point during this inspection. Bluetooth

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file transfer would also work between the computer and GPS unit, by opening a file saving the LSR to the file, then Bluetooth file transferring the data to the GPS unit. Another method would be to use an instant messaging application on both units. Just like email the operator would copy/paste the LSR on the computer and then instant message the LSR to the GPS. The GPS would receive the instant message and then copy/paste it into the GPS collection software.
Once all of the points have been collected, they can be post processed in the office. The GPS analyst will open the points in ArcMap. Using the Points to Line feature in the ESRI ArcToolBox, the GPS analyst will create a polyline feature with the LSR as the unique ID. This unique ID can then be joined to the POSM SQL database to link this new lateral feature in GIS.
More detail on the setup of Auto ID generation may be found in the attached (Auto Data ID Generation for Header

Fields) file.

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Send Inspection Data to GPS

POSM now includes a button to export all of the necessary inspection data to properly take a GPS Point. Before pressing the green “Save Information and Start Inspection” button, the user can press the “Export Inspection Info to Notepad” to send the data to a notepad window. This data can then be copied to an email or put onto a flash drive to give to the GPS operator.

Figure 9: Export Inspection Info to Notepad

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Mainline Inspections

In order to properly identify each LSR, the mainline inspection must be performed first. This allows the lateral distance to be identified for each segment along with the building address of the lateral. To assist with entering in the Nassco PACP header information, POSM Map Reader allows the operator to click on a pipe to begin the inspection. The unique ID of the line is then transferred to POSM. POSM will look up this Unique ID and fill in the header with all the data that has been collected from the POSM GIS Export process. For more information on the POSM GIS Export process please refer to the attached (Publish an ESRI Map for POSM Map Reader.pdf) file. Using a low cost GPS the POSM Map reader can auto center the map based on the current GPS location. This assists the operating with selecting the proper mainline inspection.

Figure 10: POSM Map Reader with GPS

By using a GPS the map is auto centered on where the POSM operator is located. The POSM operator selects the Send to POSM option and then clicks on the pipe to inspect. The POSM Map reader then opens POSM, starts a new session and loads the Asset and Manhole data for the pipe that was selected. Data can include, Pipe ID, Pipe Size, Pipe Material, Upstream and Downstream Manhole information, City, Street, and zip code. The main advantage gained is that the field operator is not entering this data manually, which reduces spelling mistakes and decreases the time it takes to start an

inspection.

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Cross Bore Elimination Work Flow Diagram

The following work flow diagram visually shows the process of mainline and lateral inspections for cross bore elimination. The full size version of the work flow diagram may be found in the attached (POSM Gas Cross Bore Inspection Workflow.pdf) file.

Figure 11: POSM Cross Bore Elimination Work Flow Diagram

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