Mapwise in the Field with GPS

Mr. Dwain E. Miller Jr.Session Code: E&O709

Objectives

• Prince George Electric Cooperative (PGEC) Overview

• PGEC Scope of Work– Impact on PGEC staff and membership

• Applying Mapwise to Scope of Work– Using ArcPad 10.1 & TerraSync software in the field

Prince George Electric CooperativeOverview

 

Incorporated in 1938

Located in southeastern Virginia

10 substations

1,300 miles of line

Approximately 12,000 consumers

55% residential power load

PGEC Scope of Work

• GIS Analyst– Regulate changes in electric distribution system

and geographical land base model and accordingly reflect changes

• Critical component of field work– Manage GIS databases to remain current with

data flows– Why is this important for PGEC and its members?

Mapwise at a Glance

Preparing ArcPad 10.1 software for Field Collection

• Get Data For ArcPad (ArcPad Data Manager)– A process that enables creation of feature class(es) to import

onto Trimble unit using ArcMap • Chosen feature class(es)are geographically essential to the PGEC

territory – Ability to capture pictures/images /graphics while in the

field to assist in data attribution– Creates map document file (.apm) and data storage file (.axf)

• Necessary for real-time navigation to track acquired features; built-in GPS feature captures data coordinates for desired feature class type (points, lines, polygons); keypad for recording text about field attributes

Example of Importation Process

Post-Processing using ArcPad 10.1 software

• GPS Pathfinder Office– Run Differential Correction & ShapeCorrect on .ssf file

• “cleans up” wayward logging points while in the field (corrected and uncorrected GPS points); creates (.cor file)

• Get Data From ArcPad (ArcPad Data Manager)– Navigate to corrected .axf file in ArcMap under wizard– “Checks in” feature class(es) that were modified

during field work– Once saved, the new features reviewed and added to

Mapwise

Pictorial Example of Post-Processing

Pictorial Example of Post-Processing

Captured Data Using ArcPad 10.1

Results Published to Mapwise

Preparing TerraSync software for Field Collection

• An easier interface to use with Mapwise– Ability to create data dictionary in GPS Pathfinder

Office to easily record attributes in the field (pole size, transformer number, etc)

– Less time with importation/exportation processes• Data dictionary regulates information into drop-down menus• All attributes are directly imported into Mapwise from menus

– No longer need to digitize new features over the data collected in the field

Example Data Dictionary in GPS Pathfinder Office

Preparing TerraSync Software for Field Collection

• GPS Pathfinder Office creates data dictionary– All target layers created as “feature class(es)”– Attributes for drop-down menus (data captured,

pole framing types and quantities, streets lights)• Data dictionary is imported to Trimble unit

– Unlike ArcPad 10.1, no map document file (.apm) is created

• Data and navigation logged points viewed on Trimble screen

Using TerraSync software in the Field

• Similar to ArcPad 10.1, built-in GPS feature captures data coordinates for desired feature class(es) type (points, lines, polygons) – Creation of data file (.ssf file) for each “session”– Use provided drop-down menus to record

appropriate attributes– Keypad available to log any additional information

• No “colorful” map document to track progress

Post-Processing using TerraSync software

• At completion of collection process, Trimble unit reconnected to GPS Pathfinder Office– Post-process the data file (.ssf file)

• Data file transferred from Trimble unit into GPS Pathfinder Office

• Run Differential Correction Wizard & ShapeCorrect– Export differentially corrected feature class(es)

• Creates feature class(es) for importation into Mapwise

Post-Processing Using Mapwise

Data Dictionary in Mapwise

• A data dictionary is created inside Mapwise before importing new feature classes into map– Only needs to be done one time– Allows Mapwise to easily read attribute data from

data files created in TerraSync• Same process as data dictionary created in

GPS Pathfinder Office

Example Data Dictionary in Mapwise

Example of Features Captured Using TerraSync software

Example of Features Captured Using TerraSync software

Any Questions?