Utility Network trace optimization for the field with ArcGIS Field Maps
Background
Engineers in the field often require more than just the location of assets; they need a comprehensive understanding of how the network is interconnected. For instance, knowing which valves to shut off to address a leak or determining how many properties are serviced upstream is crucial. In the past, obtaining these answers often involved making phone calls or submitting requests to other teams. However, advancements in technology now allow field engineers to perform optimized traces directly from their mobile devices, streamlining their workflows. This blog article explores how organizations can enhance traces for their field teams, enabling them to work more efficiently, improve situational awareness, and restore service to customers faster.
Tracing in ArcGIS Field Maps
Utility network traces are configured in ArcGIS Pro using the Add Trace Configuration geoprocessing tool. These traces can then be saved to individual web maps and made accessible through utility network feature pop-ups in the ArcGIS Field Maps mobile app.
ArcGIS Field Maps supports upstream, downstream, isolation, subnetwork, connected, and loops trace types. ArcGIS Field Maps also supports various trace outputs and results, including selections, aggregated geometry, and functions.
For more information on performing utility network traces in ArcGIS Field Maps, check out the Trace a network ArcGIS Field Maps help documentation page.
Mobile Tracing Considerations and Tips
When setting up utility network tracing workflows, it’s important to consider the user who will perform the trace as well as the device being used. The traces that are done on a desktop in ArcGIS Pro by a GIS analyst may differ from the ones used by an electrical engineer or water system operator out in the field from a mobile device.
When working with utility networks in ArcGIS Pro, it can be appropriate to return hundreds or even thousands of network features as a selection on a map. Due to the desktop interface and variety of viewing, editing, and analysis tools, ArcGIS Pro is often the right system for performing advanced tracing and analysis workflows that may involve many features being selected.
On the other hand, ArcGIS Field Maps provides a simple and streamlined interface for performing utility network traces and working with network features. In ArcGIS Field Maps, it can be overwhelming to a mobile worker when a trace returns a list of hundreds or thousands of features as a selection on a map, and it may not answer their question to begin with because of the amount of information being presented. With those large selections, there’s little that can be done in the app besides scrolling through the list of results. When configuring utility network traces for ArcGIS Field Maps, prioritizing simplicity and conciseness is often the most helpful approach when setting up these workflows.
Consider the following tips when configuring utility network traces for use in ArcGIS Field Maps.
Use output filters to return only the results needed
Output filters let users define what utility network features are included in the trace results by network asset type. Filtering the trace results to only include the features that are relevant to the mobile worker can help to improve efficiency during their assigned work.
Example trace used to identify connected features in an electrical system and using filters to only return fuse features
Use the aggregated geometry output
Utility network tracing in ArcGIS Field Maps can help to identify and understand the impact of field work on large areas of the network. When tracing through larger areas, it’s recommended to use the aggregated geometry result type. This allows mobile workers to see the extent of trace results without having hundreds or thousands of features selected on the map.
Example trace used to identify the extent of a pressure subnetwork in a water system
Use functions to summarize information or perform calculations
Functions can be included in utility network trace results to summarize information in the network. For example, functions can be used to count the number of assets or total length of features returned by a trace.
Example trace used to isolate a main break in a water system and calculate the total length of pipe affected
Use descriptive trace names
Traces in ArcGIS Field Maps appear as the name defined in the trace configuration. Include information about the behavior or workflow of the trace being used in the name when configuring utility network traces. This allows mobile workers to understand and identify the correct trace tool to use in the field when multiple traces are included in the map. For example, if a trace is used to identify upstream transformers in an electrical network, you could name the trace Identify Upstream Transformers.
Conclusion
Taking time to consider the information that is most valuable for field teams and optimizing the trace experience can help improve efficiency in the field. By configuring traces with tailored output filters, aggregated geometry results, functions for data summarization, and descriptive trace names, mobile workers can effectively navigate and interpret trace results on their devices. By considering device capabilities and user roles when setting up tracing workflows, organizations can use ArcGIS Field Maps for utility network management, maintenance, and decision-making processes.
