Strengthening Pipeline Data Management in ArcGIS

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12-17-2019 01:10 PM
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TomDeWitte
Esri Regular Contributor
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By Tom Coolidge and Tom DeWitte

 

Pipe network modelers have several important enhancements available to them at ArcGIS Pro 2.5 with ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.

ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing and Utility Network Integration Enhanced

In an earlier blog post, we discussed the introduction of the shared centerline feature class as a key that enables the ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing and ArcGIS Utility Network Management extensions to work on the same geodatabase.  A shared centerline feature allows users to utilize those features to create and maintain LRS networks, with routes that are linear referenced, while also continuing to have the centerlines participate in and take advantage of utility network capabilities.  In Pipeline Referencing, an LRS network is a collection of routes measured to a specific location referencing method.  Availability of the shared centerline feature class is the first step in integrating Pipeline Referencing and the utility network.

 

With the release of ArcGIS Pro 2.5/ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8, support for measures on centerlines has been added to enhance integration with a utility network.  Start and end measures now are stored on centerline pipeline segments.  Also, calibration points are added at these centerline endpoints when a user utilizes centerlines in the create, extend, and realign route tools.

 

In addition, at ArcGIS Pro 2.5/ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8, two new geoprocessing tools are added to support ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing and utility network integration.  One is the Configure Utility Network Feature Class tool.  This tool configures a utility network pipeline feature class for use with a linear referencing system.  Another is the Update Measures From LRS tool.  This tool populates or updates the measures and route ID on utility network features such as pipes, devices, and junctions.

 

Taken together, these capabilities further strengthen the data management integration essential to the new pipe network modeling era ahead.

Benefits Of Both Extensions Working On The Same Data

The ability for the ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing and the ArcGIS Utility Network Management extensions to work on not just the same geodatabase, but the same feature classes within the same enterprise geodatabase, provides important benefits to all transmission pipe network operators. This is the case regardless of whether the transmission pipe is part of a standalone or vertically-integrated operator. Those benefits are amplified as the ability is enabled by industry-specific capabilities in Esri’s core technology.  

The year ahead promises to be a rewarding one as pipe network modelers take advantage of these new capabilities!

PLEASE NOTE: The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent Esri’s position, strategies, or opinions.

About the Author
Technical Lead for Natural Gas Industry at Esri
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