GeoWorld

GeoWorld March 2012

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Maintaining Accurate Information A team of technicians maintains the database on a daily basis, and thematic maps are generated twice a week to reflect the latest changes. The GIS is readily available with the most up-to-date information for anyone who has access rights. ProjectWise is used for user-group definition, user-specific workspace creation and security management, and to upload/down- load data to and from Oracle Spatial. To maintain the integrity of the database, user groups are carefully planned for optimum security rights. Feature definition and symbology are configured directly in the workspace, while domain lists and default values are defined in the XML Feature Modeling (XFM) schema. Domain lists from Oracle also are integrated in the workspace, providing first-level data-integrity control. Bentley Map's CAD tools are used to maintain the existing utility network and its associated attribute data for further analysis, correction and update. Putting GIS to Work The GIS database enables the city of Montreal to store information about the characteristics and condition of water and wastewater network assets. Moreover, it provides easy access to the crucial information asset managers need to make better project selections. The GIS also allows the city to highlight projects on the network and better coordinate work on assets in the same right-of-way or sector. For example, the georeferenced network helps city workers precisely locate equipment on the terrain. This avoids miscalculated or misinterpreted interven- tions, reduces response time to network problems, and reduces the risk of breaking pipes when digging with heavy machinery. Since completing the digitization of the water and wastewater networks, the city has attached additional data attributes, including the results of hydraulic mod- eling in WaterGEMS. As a result, 3-D modeling now is a part of planning interventions. The GIS database also relates to other databases, such as the road network. This improves work planning and coordination, which minimizes project impact on citizens. Reducing Costly Backlogs The centralized database has made it possible for the city to run lifecycle cost analysis to support decision making and strategic planning. Assets are selected for repair or replacement based on their potential to have the greatest impact on reducing water loss. This opti- mizes investment strategies and achieves the highest level of service at the lowest possible cost. Lack of historical data makes it difficult to quantify the cost savings the city has realized since implement- ing the water and wastewater network GIS. However, lThe GIS database also relates to the road-network database, which improves work planning and coordination, and minimizes impacts on citizens. spokesmen note that before implementing the GIS and decision-support systems, it was impossible for asset managers to evaluate the lifecycle cost of investment strategies at the network level. The network GIS has enabled the Public Works department to demonstrate the short- and long-term financial impact of different intervention strategies. For example, simulations have shown estimated cost savings of more than 30 percent that would be made possible by using a combined rehabilitation and recon- struction approach to intervention instead of using reconstruction alone. In combination with other intervention strategies the city of Montreal is putting in place, the water and wastewater network GIS is helping the city renew its water and wastewater infrastructure and achieve an essential objective for the future of Montreal: the efficient and sustainable management of water across the island. Author's Note: Special thanks to the city of Montreal Public Works Department; Jean Pellerin, project manager, geomatics; and Normand Hachey, project manager, water services, city of Montreal. Cathy Chatfield-Taylor is a freelance writer and principal of CC-T Unlimited, covering infrastructure for the A/E/C industry; e-mail: Cathy@CC-Tunlimited.com. MARCH 2O12 / WWW . GEOPLA CE . C O M 17 CITY OF MONTREAL

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