High-Accuracy Mapping for Excavation Damage Prevention and Emergency Response

Accurate and current records of the location of underground natural gas assets are necessary for safe and reliable operation of the natural gas transportation and delivery system. They also help reduce the risk of pipeline damage from excavation. The natural gas system is aging and extremely complex, making it difficult for utilities to know exactly where the assets are located. Mapping is done manually with paper-based methods, which can be time consuming and subject to human error. The high-accuracy mapping system developed and demonstrated in this project uses digitally captured data to create and display high-accuracy maps of the locations and characteristics of natural gas assets to assist utilities and pipeline operators with routine operations and emergency response. The technology used recent advances in mobile, geographic information system, and global positioning system technologies.
The research team configured and demonstrated 22 mapping units in 10 service locations throughout Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s service territory. The team used the technology to map 37,951 feet of pipeline and 3,475-point features (such as valves and fittings), and achieved an average location accuracy of less than 6 inches for 91.46 percent of the mapped assets. The mapping data were also incorporated into a Web-based situational awareness tool to provide real-time information on underground natural gas distribution assets and excavation.
This final report describes the results of the project, current and planned technology transfer, and the benefits of the technology to California, and provides recommendations for future actions to improve and increase use of the technology.