E Distriibutio
on Nettworkk
M agemeent Sy
Mana ystemm Pilott Stud
dy
P
Phase I: Ge
eographic IInformatio
on System D
Developmeent
Prep ared By:
Project Understanding
The Volta River Authority (VRA) intends to develop a geographic information system (GIS) to serve as the
foundation of a robust asset management system for their electrical power distribution network. Currently,
AutoCAD is being used to maintain electronic maps of some portions of the network. However, coverage is not
complete and CAD maps do not allow for efficient system analysis or management. The authority intends to
capture all data associated with the components of the distribution network including transformers, power
poles, conductors, isolators, breakers, reclosers, voltage regulators, etc. for the purposes of better managing
their assets and performing engineering analysis of the network. Additionally, utility customers must be
represented in the GIS to facilitate customer service and to aide in rapidly identifying customers affected by
system outages.
Scope of Work
KHAFRA was asked to provide a technical approach to achieve the authority’s GIS goals by inventorying the
electrical distribution network within the pilot study city of Tamale. Work shall include the conversion of existing
AutoCAD drawing files to a standard GIS database format for the study area. All relevant information annotated
in the drawings shall be captured as attributes of the associated GIS features. Once conversion is complete, field
inspection of the system shall be used to validate the converted data as well as to inventory any system
components not already captured. The goal of this phase of work is to train local inspection crews to use GPS
and mobile‐GIS technologies to efficiently gather information from the field and incorporate it into the GIS.
Technical Approach
The approach outlined below is comprised of methods, tools, and procedures that have proven to be most
successful during our extensive work with both data conversion and field inventory of utility assets. The maturity
of the GIS industry and the advent of highly accurate differentially‐corrected global navigation satellite systems
(GNSS) technology have resulted in powerful tools for managing utility system assets. Our approach leverages
these technologies for the rapid location and inventory of the transmission and distribution networks within the
study area. The remainder of this document is broken into three parts: Data Conversion, Field Reconnaissance,
and a discussion of the specific hardware and software recommended for the project.
Part I – Data Conversion
The Environmental Science and Research Institute (ESRI) is recognized as the preeminent developer of GIS
technology. As such, they enjoy extensive third‐party developer support and their ArcGIS platform readily
integrates with a wide variety of information systems including customer information systems and maintenance
management systems. KHAFRA recommends that VRA standardize on this platform because their world‐wide
support network, including a distributor in Ghana, ensures future needs can be met and that ongoing support
can be provided.
Upon receipt of the current CAD files for the City of Tamale, KHAFRA technicians will import the geometric
information from AutoCAD into an ESRI geodatabase built upon the ArcGIS Electric Distribution data model. This
model will be configured and customized to meet the authority’s specific needs, and serves as a proven starting
point to capture the properties, behaviors, and relationships of real‐world distribution network objects. The
object types include simple objects, geographic features (objects with location), network features (objects with
geometric integration with other features), annotation features, and other more specialized feature types. It
allows relationships among objects to be defined as well as rules for maintaining the referential integrity
between related objects. By expanding this model, we will ensure that the resulting database accurately
1
represents the electric distribution network in a way that transcends traditional GIS and mapping boundaries to
improve operational efficiencies.
KHAFRA will write custom scripts to scrub the resulting data to remove duplicate geometries, overlapping lines,
unnecessary line nodes, etc. Often when multiple files are merged into one dataset, significant cleanup is
necessary along the boundaries of the files. Our technicians are well‐trained to identify such inconsistencies and
to correct them so the final dataset contains seamless and clean data. In addition, we will automate and verify
the incorporation of annotation present in the drawing files into attribute values for the converted features.
Once existing electronic data has been incorporated into the GIS, the focus of the project will shift to field
verification and augmentation.
Part II – Field Inspection
KHAFRA’s field methodology is intended to ensure the reliable location of utility assets suitable for field data
acquisition. Our approach is designed to enable estimation of the accuracy and precision of the data collected
using the Global Positioning System (GPS). While GPS has proven to be a revolutionary technology for asset
management, it requires an understanding of the limitations of the system. KHAFRA’s approach addresses these
challenges in a way that ensures reliable results with minimal impact to the project schedule.
Data Collection Procedures
Accurate data collection requires that appropriate data collection equipment is properly configured to meet
data accuracy requirements, that qualified field personnel are adequately trained, and that the positional
accuracy of the data can be quantified. KHAFRA’s approach to field GPS data collection addresses each of these
areas and is described herein.
Each visible feature of the distribution network will be verified during field inventory. The field application will
be developed such that relevant attributes of the system components can be easily collected using forms
containing drop‐down boxes, check boxes, and radio buttons that validate the information being entered into
the GIS. Converted features from the authority’s CAD files will already appear in the application but will given a
neutral color until such time it is inspected. Once it has been verified, it will change color to match new features
so that field crews can immediately identify what work needs to be completed and what has previously been
accomplished.
Work assignments will be preloaded onto the handheld device each day by a field manager. This person will bear
responsibility for monitoring the quality of work coming from the field, post‐processing the GNSS data to ensure
it meets project accuracy requirements, and sequencing the work of the crews to ensure timely collection
efforts. Once an area has been identified for work, the manager will create a dataset and assign it to a specific
crew. We will implement automated synchronization software that will place the required files onto the
appropriate handheld assigned to a crew member. At the end of the day, the handheld will be cradled for
charging and the field data will automatically synchronize back onto the system ready for further analysis.
Once field collection of a work assignment is complete, the ArcGIS GPS Analyst tools will be used to post‐process
the positional information to further refine its accuracy. The field manager will review the collected data and if
acceptable, will check the data into the geodatabase. Using this process, the GIS is quickly updated with field
information that becomes immediately accessible to other users of the system. Beyond initial data collection,
this same process can be used to maintain the currency of the GIS as improvements or changes are made to the
distribution network or as the network expands.
2
Part III – Information Technology and Systems
GIS Technology
Geographic information systems (GIS) have matured over 30 years of development to become the cornerstone
of modern enterprise information systems. From customer relationship management (CRM) systems to asset
management, logistics, engineering, and operations, GIS provides the connection between real‐world objects
and abstract information. It allows organizations to make informed decisions, increase efficiency, share
organizational knowledge across departments, and solve business problems.
Figure 1 (ESRI, 2009)
Server Software
While initially not necessary to accomplish the GIS conversion and field inventory exercises, it is important to
ensure that the solution can be scaled to an enterprise level for system‐wide implementation. An important
component of any enterprise system is the server‐side software platform. ESRI uses ArcSDE (spatial database
engine) to process requests for spatial data and return only the portion of the database required for the
solution. This approach dramatically improves data efficiency and provides the end user with the data they need
quickly. This is extended by ArcGIS Server to connect people with the geographic information they need through
web mapping applications and services to further improve internal workflows. These web services extend far
beyond basic web mapping to include the ability of mobile workforces to update data in the geodatabase in real‐
time from the field. As network changes are made in the field, they can be immediately reflected in the GIS so
analysts always have the most complete information available to them.
Desktop Applications
Desktop GIS allows users to perform spatial analysis, model operational processes, and visualize results on
professional‐quality maps. ArcEditor is a powerful tool for editing and managing geographic data. It supports
multiuser editing of the same data without interfering with each other, the definition of spatial relationships
3
between features using topology rules and validation. And it allows data to be captured from scanned maps
through raster‐to‐vector conversion tools.
ArcView is used for visualizing, managing, creating, and analyzing geographic data. Users can author maps,
generate reports and charts, and print maps or embed them into documents. While it lacks the advanced editing
features of ArcEditor, ArcView still provides a powerful suite of manipulation tools and is an important
component of a successful GIS implementation.
MobileGIS
Mobile GIS enables field based personnel to capture, store, update, and manipulate geographic information.
KHAFRA has used ESRI’s ArcPad product for over 8 years to integrate GPS into GIS data collection efforts. Some
of the key features that make ArcPad the ideal tool for mobile GIS data collection include:
• Support for position averaging when capturing a point feature or a vertex for a polyline or polygon
feature
• Ability to set the maximum thresholds for error measurements such as position dilution of precision
(PDOP) and 3D mode only (ensures that a minimum of 4 satellites are used)
• Support for base map information such as edge of pavement, buildings, and street names to aid in
navigation and accurate feature identification
GPS Technology
Hardware
Prior to commencement of field activities, a determination will be made whether the satellite‐based
augmentation systems (SBAS) can provide sub‐meter accuracy in Tamale. If so, we recommend the use of a
Trimble GeoXM in concert with their GeoBeacon Receiver. Together, these devices provide a highly‐portable
GPS solution that fully supports mobile GIS applications. If the SBAS cannot provide sufficient accuracy in
Tamale, we will use a ground‐based augmentation system (GBAS) by establishing a control point in Tamale and
setting up a receiver to collect real time kinematic (RTK) data. This data will be used to refine the positions
collected on the GeoXM handheld devices to achieve the sub‐meter accuracy necessary for GIS mapping
applications. Both of these arrangements typically provide horizontal positional accuracy of approximately 0.5m.
To ensure consistent data quality, position collection will only occur when a minimum of 4 satellites are
available, a maximum PDOP of 6, a minimum signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of 39 dBHz, and a minimum satellite
elevation of 15 degrees from the horizon are achieved. The local coordinate system will be used as directed by
VRA.
Software
Trimble GPScorrect Extension for ArcPad
The GPScorrect extension for ArcPad provides enhanced GPS and real‐time control. This includes the ability to
set elevation masks to ensure that position information is only taken from satellites above 15 degrees. It also
allows a minimum SNR to be set so that only information meeting project requirements is used. GPScorrect
communicates with a Trimble GPS receiver to collect postprocessable GPS positions for features created or
updated in ArcPad. Once the data has been collected using this software, it can be postprocessed to provide
differentially corrected GPS data that can then be applied to the shapefiles modified in ArcPad using the GPS
Analyst extension in ArcView.
GPS Analyst Extension for ArcGIS
The Trimble GPS Analyst extension for ESRI ArcGIS software enables GPS data to be utilized directly in a personal
geodatabase. It differentially corrects GPS data collected using the GPScorrect extension for ArcPad to improve
4
the accuracy of GPS positions to sub‐meter levels. It also provides GPS position validation to ensure project
accuracy requirements are met.
Cost Proposal
The cost proposal included herein is a 2 part pricing structure with the first task as a lump sum cost and the
secondary item set up as a per feature pricing structure based on KHAFRA’s analysis of the existing CAD files, IT
infrastructure and survey of the local environment. This estimate is preliminary and will be adjusted accordingly
based on information generated following a comprehensive analysis of the current environment in Tamale for
field survey.
KHAFRA’s currently estimates that Tamale has 200 CAD files readily available to be converted and imported into
a GIS. KHAFRA will use the CAD data and verify network integrity in the resulting GIS at a proposed cost lump
sum cost of $512,680.
To determine level of effort required for this project KHAFRA will visit Tamale and assess the accessibility layout
of the overall electrical grid. At this time it will be determined the average amount of time necessary for field
crews to locate and record GPS coordinates and asset attributes per feature. Since electrical utility assets are
generally stacked, multiple assets and associated attributes will appear per feature point collected.
Since KHAFRA cannot obtain an estimated number of total points to be collected in Tamale, the cost proposal
will be per point costs. Based on prior experiences, KHAFRA believes that each feature point and associated
assets will require an average 10 minutes to pinpoint sub‐meter accuracy GPS data and 13 minutes to record
attribute data for an estimate of 23 minutes per point. Given these estimates, we expect that technicians will be
able to collect 20 points per day. Total points and assets collected per day will depend on number of field crews
available.
KHAFRA proposes a cost of $25.00 (USD) per point and a onetime mobilization cost of $60,000 in order to
purchase the necessary software and GPS handheld equipment on behalf of the VRA to be turned over to VRA at
the conclusion of the field effort. This mobilization cost will also include travel for KHAFRA staff to train VRA
employees on field collection techniques and use of the handheld software. Utilizing the estimated number of
assets provided by VRA for the Sunyani area, the estimated total cost is $2,792,030.91. Invoices will be billed as
assets are collected and signed off by VRA to ensure overall quality and customer satisfaction.
5