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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WWU_036
Title	GPS Enabled Video in Route-Walk Surveys
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2017
End Date	01 November 2017
Duration	8 months
Total Grant Value	£84,772
Industrial Sectors	Technical Consultancy
Region	Wales
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_WWU_036
Objectives	To field test this new technology with WWU operatives to test its functionality and operational benefits and to provide a summarised report. To collect a body of evidence to support this new technology, produce a GPS enabled video that has been tested in the field and that is at a stage to be transferred to business as usual for all networks advantage.
Abstract	Historically a Gas Distribution Network (GDN) will program walking surveys along their pipelines for a variety of reasons including identification and condition verification of connected service assets and determination of environmental encroachment or other risks on its route. In addition, programmed survey walks can form part of the obligations under a price control period and can consist of an individual physically walking the route of several thousand miles of pipeline. This undertaking represents a considerable investment by the GDN in resource time and cost, but typically yields information at specific points on the route corresponding to the location of an asset or risk. This information is gathered and stored in several ways including existing work management systems, photographs, spreadsheets and mapping systems. Planning and scheduling for a route walk is problematic as the task itself does not easily fit a standard cost or time model due to the additional variables that determine duration and effort - weather conditions, terrain, asset population density and distance - all of which are rarely used in determining resources for any other type of activity. Such scheduling requires a geography / map based approach which is not commonly in use today. Finally, verification that the route has actually been walked is a problematic, particularly where the pipeline is in remote locations. Recent developments in the consumer "action" video camera market have brought a number of products to market that combine high quality video capture, image stabilisation, remote control through a smart phone and GPS linked to the timecode of the video stream itself. Such a device could accurately record the whole route-walk and provide a fully geo-referenced video asset. Put simply, the exact route walked can be determined by the GPS encoded within the video and can be overlaid on a map containing the pipeline route itself. In addition to proving the route-walked, the captured video asset provides high quality imagery of the entire route which can be later reviewed or accessed based on a specific point on a map. This technical innovation project will deliver an understanding of the benefits of using GPS enabled video capture for our network. The success of the work will depend upon the ease of use of the camera as well as a developed understanding of any legal implications of capturing footage and the potential methods of re-using the captured footage within day to day activities.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	15/08/18