Joseph A. Weyl
The Utility Data Management System (UDMS) was designed primarily to automate the loading and visualization of field data collected for inflow and infiltration (I&I) studies of waste water systems. The UDMS data loader automatically loads COBRA Closed Caption Television (CCTV) data files into a relational database. Shapefiles are created dynamically from spatial data collected for manholes, pump stations, lift stations and pipe defects. The pipe shapefiles are created dynamically as well, using connectivity rules applied during the data loading process to establish coordinate pairs for each pipe. The UDMS can be used by waste water engineers performing I & I studies as a tool for quality assuring data. Utility System Managers use the system to prioritize repair work, track maintenance of the system, and perform other waste water system management functions.
Over the last few years, there has been an increased emphasis on using IT tools to help manage Waste Water Utility Systems to comply with environmental regulations. Managers of these systems need tools at their disposal for reporting of hazards that might impair the systems and potentially result in adverse impacts to the environment.
Small municipalities and most federal facilities face an environmental compliance challenge in regards to the promulgated Phase II Stormwater program and the anticipated Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) regulations. These programs require a proactive management philosophy that includes:
URS has developed a management tool that provides a non-power user the strength of a GIS solution to specifically manage the requirements of the Phase II and SSO programs. This application was developed to include frequently used queries and reports that engineers, planners, and compliance personnel need for daily management and periodic system improvements.
As one of the leading engineering firms in the world, URS Corporation (URS) understands the power of integrating information technology with engineering solutions. URS developed the UDMS by integrating off-the-shelf software products with data collection systems to provide data visualization and decision support tools for our own utility managers and engineers. UDMS is now available to utility system managers to help prioritize repair work, track maintenance of the system, and perform other management functions. UDMS is also a valuable tool for quality assuring the data collected in field studies. Our field crews and engineers use this product to perform quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) on data as it is collected, and our clients use it to manage compliance with existing, proposed, and future environmental regulations. UDMS integrates MapObjects, Microsoft (MS) Access, CCTV data, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data. It is a three-part program that includes a data loader, the system database, and the GIS mapping functionality.
The system is designed to automatically import data from multiple source formats directly into the
database. Specifically, the UDMS Data Loader populates the database from GPS data (MS Excel format), CCTV data (MS FoxPro format), and NASSCO-compliant sewer coding system. UDMS is designed to accept GPS data for sanitary sewer manholes, pump stations, and lift stations, and stormwater manholes, inlets, and pipes. URS can customize the UDMS to accommodate additional utility system features for specific client needs. Because the UDMS Data Loader appends new data sets, users are able to track the history of utility studies and repairs to the system indefinitely.
The UDMS database is compliant with the CADD/GIS Technology Center’s Spatial Data Standards
(SDS), a standard specifically developed for spatial data. Develped in MS Access, the UDMS database
is an intuitive, user-friendly application with security functionality. Users can search or edit the database
to track utility data and prioritize defect repair and maintenance.
The UDMS GIS mapping feature uses the spatial data collected on manholes, utility pipes, other
utility system features, pipe defects, and pipe repairs to automatically create shapefiles for viewing on a map interface. In addition, UDMS allows users to add other data layers to the map (e.g., images, CADD drawings, and ArcInfo coverages) in order to create comprehensive visual presentations of utility data. The intuitive GIS mapping interface allows users to manipulate the map view, query datasets, and print map images.
The UDMS allows users to manage simple reporting requirements for sanitary sewer systems. These reports are based on the user-defined queries specific to the sanitary system. Utility System Managers use the reporting functionality as a tool to prioritize and manage the progress of utility repairs.
URS’ UDMS is a user-friendly tool designed to integrate information technology with engineering solutions for water utility systems. The UDMS has benefited our clients by allowing engineers and system managers to:
· Ensure compliance with environmental regulations
This GIS application is in production. The program is written in modules to allow URS the flexibility of further customizing the application as clients provide feedback on usability and request expanded functionality. An ArcView extension that utilizes the same database has also been developed. Current enhancements underway include: addition of a stormwater module; development of UDMS CE, a PDA system to allow electronic collection of UDMS-compatible data in the field; and development of an Oracle-based version of the database module.
Each enhancement of the UDMS will serve specific needs identified by URS’s clients and engineers. URS anticipates using the UDMS to improve internal management of Waste Water Utility Projects by providing engineers a much needed low-cost, powerful GIS tool for management and visualization of spatial data.
Joseph A. Weyl,
GIS/IT Specialist, URS Corporation
Becky Peer
IT Services Group Leader, URS Corporation
Christopher Garrett
Senior Engineer, URS Corporation