Before turning to imagery, the first step in the project was for OPU to convert its legacy asset drawings. Initially, the data conversion into an Esri Geodatabase was performed by a consultant; however, because of the nature of CAD data, there was little to differentiate feature layers or how each layer is connected to real-world assets. For example, a 161Kv transmission line was represented no differently than an adjacent line on the drawing, which may in turn represent a distribution line or guywire. Assembling the CAD data into an Esri Geodatabase offered an opportunity to unify and codify these features. With the true power of a geodatabase, topology creation allows lines to connect and a networked modeling environment to be established.
The second step to fully connect all of the assets in the model and establish a geometric network required the verification of the assets’ connectivity and location. With 103 miles of overhead primary line, 78 miles of underground primary line, and a total of 150 miles of transmission line, the team had its work cut out for them. OPU chose to meet this challenge—not by making time-consuming visits to the field—but instead by examining the assets from their desktop using Eagleview oblique imagery. Eagleview imagery and associated measurements tools can be accessed via CONNECTExplorer™, an easy-to-use, web-based platform for viewing and extracting data from imagery.