Dimensions - Winter 2013 - 8

vision: innovation
The LiDAR imagery gives a precise 3-D location of
the transmission lines, a reliable representation of
the bare earth surface, and vegetation above it, to
determine vegetation up-growth or other incursions
into the transmission line right-of-way.

Bringing a Higher Quality of LiDAR
Data to Transmission Line Mapping
Remote Sensing Supports Efficiency and Compliance
According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), vegetation growth is a significant leading
indicator of power outages, as well as a contributing factor in several major system disturbances over the past 50 years.
NERC requires transmission owners to develop and maintain a formal transmission vegetation management program.
Programs must identify and document clearances around vegetation and take into account “transmission line voltage,
the effects of ambient temperature on conductor sag under maximum design loading, and the effects of wind velocities on
conductor sway” (NERC Standard FAC-003-1, April 2006).
As an efficient means to gauge the integrity of existing

points captured along approximately 1,000 linear circuit

power lines and keep track of vegetation growth, airborne

miles, or roughly 20 to 30 measurements per square meter

remote sensing, comprising a LiDAR sensor co-located

along the right-of-way. Reliable and accurate classification

with imaging and temperature sensors, has recently

of the LiDAR point clouds will enable the utility to map the

become a preferred data collection solution for many

position of main line structures and conductors, wires, and

utility companies. The high-resolution data from these

substations, as well as any vegetation up-growth.

sensors support the utilities’ ability to manage vegetation,

The quality assessment of LiDAR image tiles

check line sag, and sense temperature fluctuations along

follows a well-tested process that includes an inventory

transmission corridors, as well as stay compliant with

and file structure assessment, quantitative review of

NERC requirements.

the data through statistical analyses, and qualitative

Dewberry is currently working with a northeastern

imagery using a combination of customized as well as

control of LiDAR and imagery needed to comply with its

commercial-off-the-shelf software. Dewberry also verifies

vegetation management program. Unique to transmission

the LiDAR and ortho imagery data for horizontal and

corridor mapping, the quality assurance and control process

vertical accuracy using independent checkpoints acquired

will verify the integrity of the roughly seven billion LiDAR

8

review of LiDAR data classification, oblique, and ortho

electric utility, providing independent quality assurance and

in various land cover categories.

Dimensions

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Dimensions - Winter 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dimensions - Winter 2013

Dimensions - Winter 2013
Contents
Spotlight on the Staff: Richard Cawley
Radnor Heights Substation Powers Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
Conquering New Ventures: Q&A with Katie Jones
Impacts on Infrastructure: A Quick Look at Issues Likely to Affect Utility Providers
Bringing a Higher Quality of LiDAR Data to Transmission Line Mapping
Performance Briefs
Salt Storage Facility Opens at Tulsa Port of Catoosa
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Dimensions - Winter 2013
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Contents
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Spotlight on the Staff: Richard Cawley
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Radnor Heights Substation Powers Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Conquering New Ventures: Q&A with Katie Jones
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Impacts on Infrastructure: A Quick Look at Issues Likely to Affect Utility Providers
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - 5
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - 6
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - 7
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Bringing a Higher Quality of LiDAR Data to Transmission Line Mapping
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Performance Briefs
Dimensions - Winter 2013 - Salt Storage Facility Opens at Tulsa Port of Catoosa
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2018summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_annualreview2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2018winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2017summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_annualreview2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2017winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2016summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_annualreview2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_annualreview2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/dewberry/Dewberry/dimensions_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2014winter
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2012annualreview
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2012summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2011annualreview
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2012winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2011springsummer
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2010summer
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_20090910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2009summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_20090304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_20090102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_20081112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_20080910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/Dewberry/dimensions_2008summer
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