Patrick Dolemieux,
President & CEO

Schematic Representation of Network Data for GIS

Abstract

This paper discusses how schematic complements GIS for the design, construction, and management of a network - especially for the utility and transportation markets.

Schematic, or diagram, is a way to logically represent a network or a part of a network. It applies not only for outside plant but also for inside plant. Schematic complements the GIS by offering multiple views of the same network objects.

NetGraph Information Technology (NGIT) has developed a specific application integrated into the ArcGIS^TM product range: NG Spatial^TM.
NG Spatial^TM allows GIS users to automatically generate schematic and geoschematic representations of geographic networks created and managed in ArcGIS^TM geographic databases. Automating schematic production will save utilities and transportation users tens of thousands of dollars annually and will provide much more up-to-date and accurate schematized maps and work orders.

NG Spatial^TM allows users to dynamically run a trace from ArcGIS^TM or a query in the geodatabase and to automatically generate the related schematic document.
NG Spatial^TM is designed to address the documentation and asset management needs of large public-utility networks. To that end, it is interfaced with Esri's tools and brings the necessary additional schematic functionalities.

NG Spatial^TM meets the graphical needs of:

Network-facilities management (asset management, AM/FM, ...);
Network design and engineering;
Planning (modeling, simulation, script management, ...);
Network operation, maintenance and supervision;
Information Center network descriptive tools; and
Commercial engineering (customer profiles, sales aid, ...).

Introduction

Utility operators need to represent and manage their networks in the most accurate, precise and detailed way.
So far they have been able to create diagrams using CAD solutions. However, CAD systems require lots of resources to implement interactive solutions, lack automation and still suffer from updating delays.

Automatic schematic will allow operators to work with complex networks, regardless of the scale or level. It accesses the geodatabase and displays diagrams using extensive symbols, complementing GIS. Diagrams are useful in the decision-making process providing a graphic representation in accordance with the database contents.

We have developed a solution, called NG Spatial^TM, which is integrated into ArcGIS^TM and connects to the information system to generate schematics automatically.
This solution addresses the major concerns being faced by utilities, comprehensive data display, reduction in data redundancy and maintenance costs.

What is Schematic?

Schematic is a mean to represent any type of network and diagrams within a symbolic system, in a defined space and without scaling constraints. It produces diagrams which can represent physically or logically a network.

Datadriven Shematic allows an overall representation of a network, allowing optimal object location.

Who needs Schematic?

Schematic is aimed at network operators, who wish to be able to make the most of the huge repository of alphanumerical data built up over the years, by getting such data to be graphically and schematically represented and even "cartographically" matched and displayed, as needed.

Schematic is intended for network operators of energy and water supply companies (electricity, gas, water supply and waste water), communication companies (Telecom, cable), transportation companies (road, rail, air, water ways).

Many technical application areas require automatic schematic: simulation and planning, engineering and design, supervision, administration, technical management, operation/maintenance, resource allocation...

Benefits of Schematic

Synthetic display of network architecture
Users can get a personalized representation of the whole or a part of the network, without scale thus without any notion of distance between network equipments
Multiple representation of same objects
Inside plant display.

Inside Transformer: Busbar.

Why Schematic must be Automated Datadriven?

Operators do not always have drawing skills
Information being stored alphanumerically in the database, it only requires the user to fill in database tables to be able to generate schematics
Data can be spread in many databases and managed by non-CAD specialists
The same data can be easily presented with different layouts and algorithms
The different departments operating on a network can store information in one or more local or distributed databases
Datadriven schematic allows to represent the same object at the same time but in a different way, for different users.

Integrating Schematic into GIS

At the network design stage, operators need to ascertain the quality and compliance of data. With direct access to the geodatabase, schematic generates on-demand diagrams and allows tailord information layout in connection with the geographic display.

Integrating schematic into GIS allows multiple-level representation of a network with synthetic display. Schematic can ease objects location in the geographical space.

Integrating a GIS into an automatic schematic generation system allows it to meet different needs within utility departments. Before this solution has existed, some departments favoring schematic could not imagine using a GIS though there was a latent need, and vice versa.

With "the best vision for the best decision", schematic reinforces Jack Dangermond assertion "Knowing where things are and why is essential to rational decision making."

Introduction to NG Spatial^TM

NG Spatial^TM is The Automatic Schematic Generation Software for ArcGIS ^TM. It is interfaced with the ArcGIS^TM range in order to view, operate and exploit any network in a geographical and schematical environment.
NG Spatial^TM brings effective and innovative solutions to automate graphical representation of network descriptive databases through customizable algorithms.
It connects to the geodatabase in two ways:

By reading the To and From node attributes in the geodatabase
By reading the geometry in the geodatabase

Automatic Network Presentation Algorithms
NG Spatial^TM includes several algorithms which can be customized to meet users'needs:


Geoschematic Display		Backbone Display		Tree Display

			Inside Plant
	Orthogonal Display

Graph Manipulation and Network Editing
NG Spatial^TM contains many functions and features to manipulate network objects:

Multi-level representation of objects and networks
Intelligent sub-network movement
Sub-network contraction and expansion
Modification of symbol and text sizes
Automatic routing
Varied zooming
Resizing of views
Detaled view with electronics cabinets and circuits...

Conclusion

Schematic allows utilities operators to get tailored geoschematic or schematic network visualization.
Coupled with ArcGIS^TM, NG Spatial^TM can enhance network management by handling the automatic creation of networks within the cartography environment and manages consistency between cartographic and schematic views, imposing no constraints on the information system architecture.
NGIT is commited to provide the utilities with evolutive solutions offering the best vision for the best decision.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Harald Hansen, Geodata AS, for allowing us to use their GeoNIS project as an example.