API Ayers

Utilization of Ground Position Satellite Devices in Conjunction with Current One-Call System: 

Utilization of Ground Position Satellite Devices in Conjunction with Current One-Call System PRCI DP-1-4 Committee Prepared for API/AOPL Pipeline Damage Assessment Workshop November 16, 2006

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DP-1-4 Scope Develop a prototype device with programming to allow the use of GPS coordinates in conjunction with a one call system Demonstrate the device Develop proposal for producing the device Develop a plan to connect to all available one call databases

DP-1-4 Discoveries: 

DP-1-4 Discoveries Technology currently exists to implement use of GPS coordinates in the locate request process – no hardware needs to be developed Existing systems offer range of accuracies and associated costs A separate pilot program was in planning and there is benefit in joining forces

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Available Technology GPS enabled, wireless laptop High initial cost Direct web based communication to one call center Common operating system (Microsoft) Handheld GPS unit Medium to high initial cost Low operating cost Range of accuracies Will require manual input Cell phone software No initial cost beyond telephone Low operating costs (monthly fee) Low accuracy (currently) Requires onsite submission

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Available Technology Pocket PC Direct web based communication to one call center Common operating system (Microsoft) Ortho rectified/geo referenced maps at the One Call organization Allows GPS determination for call ins May require remapping for most centers

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Virginia One Call Pilot Project Purpose: To research and implement new and existing technologies that appear to have great potential to significantly enhance the communication of accurate information among excavators, one – call centers, underground facility operators and facility locators.

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Virginia One Call Pilot Project Sponsors Currently PHMSA/CGA and Colonial Pipeline/PRCI have committed direct funding Many stakeholder organizations contribute time and efforts and some may soon contribute additional funding: PHMSA, PRCI VUPS, VA SCC VA Stakeholders (Washington Gas, Verizon, Dominion Resources, UtiliQuest, various excavators) National Utility Contractor’s Association (NUCA) Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Common Ground Alliance (CGA)

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Pilot Program Estimated……. Over notification due to inaccurate locations or large boundaries represent 40%-60% of locate requests Vague and incorrect excavation locate descriptions represent 2% of locate requests As many as 70% of locate requests are from excavators working for buried utility operators

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Pilot Program Estimated……. Estimated annual incoming locate requests to U.S. One Call Centers – 20,000,000 Estimated annual tickets issued to underground facilities owners/operators – 100,000,000

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Pilot Program Estimated……. In 2005 VUPS issued 7,659,339 outgoing tickets – 50.9% were coded as “Cleared, No Conflict” Estimated annual cost to operators of Cleared, No Conflict tickets = $42,924,552 Estimated annual cost to excavators from incidents (natural gas lines only) - $8,000,000 (fines, damages, downtime)

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Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project Focus: Use of global positioning system (GPS) technology in the damage prevention process to: Increase location accuracy Reduce damage to underground facilities Reduce one-call process costs

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Excavator requests locate for planned excavation Operator / Locator locates facilities and provides positive response to VUPS Excavator OK to Dig With CARE C.A.R.E. VUPS One-call Center provides positive response confirmation to excavator via E-mail or fax VUPS One-call Center identifies and notifies affected operators Present Basic Notification Process in Virginia

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Mark approx. 25ft radius around old pole Work Type: Replacing broken pole Four 800 X 800 grids selected for Notification Over-Notification with Current System

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Locate out 200 feet on the right side of the house and 60 feet around the Farm Tap Work Type: Repairing gas main Problems with Incorrect Gridding

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Difficult to describe the location of the Farm Tap Problems with Incorrect Gridding

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Devices to be Tested Trimble ProXT (submeter accuracy) Blue toothed to PPC-6700 Smart Phone Trimble Pathfinder XB (3 – 5 meter accuracy) Blue toothed to PPC-6700 Smart Phone Motorola i605 cell phone (GPS enabled, 200’ accuracy)

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Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project Electronic white lining: Excavator determines the GPS coordinates of the planned excavation site utilizing: GPS handheld device and a Windows Mobile based Smartphone, PC, or PDA, or a GPS-capable cellular phone

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Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project Electronic white lining: Excavator walks proposed excavation site Receives latitude / longitude coordinates onto hand held device Single point bulls eye Straight line Site development (polygon) Automated map selection by VUPS upon ticket entry based on GPS coordinates

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Utilizing Ortho-photographic Overlay & GPS

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Excavator – determines GPS coordinates of planned excavation site via either: Site visit with hand-held GPS device, or Take-off from plan drawings One-call center – processes locate request information and maps planned excavation area on one-call center base map Excavator – electronically communicates GPS coordinates and other locate request information to one-call center Excavator – verifies accuracy of mapped location via Internet (web-ticket entry). One-call center – identifies affected facility operators, issues locate request number to excavator and issues facility locate tickets to operators Enhanced one-call process Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project

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Operator/locator – receives locate ticket. Proceeds to excavation area and accurately locates and marks facilities One-call center – receives and records locate information and transmits positive response to excavator via Email or fax Excavator – receives positive response and can begin digging in designated area* Operator/locator –notifies one-call center of completed locate and provide positive response codes Enhanced one-call process Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project

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Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project If connected to the internet Excavator completes locate request at job site with PC or Smartphone If not connected to the internet May store GPS data and unique identifier to device until connection enabled May send partial data (GPS data and identifier) via cellular transmission to VUPS suspense file Excavator completes locate request when Internet connection is accessible

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Pilot areas selected within Fairfax County and a portion of Northern Prince William County. “aa” represents rural or low activity areas; “bb” represents urban or high activity areas. Virginia One Call Technology Pilot Project Areas