The inventory of outdoor lighting systems in ZuluGIS through the eyes of a GIS engineer
Introduction
Hello! In this article, I will share my experience with and thoughts on inventorying outdoor lighting systems using ZuluGIS, focusing on the stages of work and the advantages of using GIS.
About
I have been a GIS engineer for three full years now. I am responsible for inventorying lighting, cemeteries, and roads (specifically in terms of GIS). When it comes to lighting, the total number of light poles that I have inventoried exceeds 100,000, and I have successfully completed more than ten projects of different scope.
Stage 1: Receiving a statement of work and creating an operational map/layer
Statement – the final quality and cost of the project depend on creating a layer structure. When using ZuluGIS, as well as any other geographic information systems, the primary task for the GIS engineer is to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the statement of work for the project. It is based on the SOW that the GIS engineer creates the structure of the operational layer, simultaneously taking into account the requirements of the company (speed up the inventory process and reduce its cost) as well as further plans for using the map. When working with the Statement of Work and directly with the client, it is very important to stay prepared to make changes and upload various reports and summaries, which someone has requested in the course of work. To do this, you need to create the structure in such a way that new changes do not greatly affect the inventory process, and also ensure database normalization.
Why ZuluGIS?*
The program has 3 versions: **
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desktop ZuluGIS. A thick client that provides full functionality for working with a map as well as creating and editing maps.
ZuluGIS desktop version
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web-based ZuluGIS Online. A web page where you can view the map, search for objects, edit graphic objects, input data, and perform several other tasks.
ZuluGIS web version (web services)
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mobile ZuluGIS Online. The main tool of a system inspector. It is a mobile application developed specifically for fieldwork.
ZuluGIS mobile version
All versions run on a single server, therefore, any changes you make on a map in one version will be instantly visible in all the others in real time, which is very convenient for all people involved in the project.
It should also be noted that ZuluGIS is very flexible. In all my projects, sooner or later, there is a need to add, modify, or delete something in the structure itself. It often takes only a few minutes to complete these tasks, and they do not require the server to stop running to make changes. In other words, the work of other people using GIS will not be interrupted.
*Server version **The wording differs from Politerm
Inventorying an outdoor lighting system in Sevastopol
Stage 2: Getting started and inspecting systems
Statement – the mobile version is indispensable for inspection while using the Microsoft SQL Server makes the work go two times faster.Before starting a fully-fledged system inspection, it is very important to train future inspectors. Their understanding of how the mobile version works is the key to your peace of mind. You will not have to redo any of their work, remotely explain how to enable the required settings, and sort out malfunctions in their applications. It is also worth taking the time to create a checklist for the inspector that describes all types of outdoor lighting system assets so that everyone knows how to fill out the appropriate form.
Since the inspection will be carried out by people, it is highly likely that the inspector will forget to fill something in or fill it in incorrectly. To minimize the time spent on reviews, you should create tools that will enable you to promptly check the work done by inspectors in advance.
Reviewing the work done by inspectors
During the inspection, you occasionally have to visit locations with no Internet connection. Previously, you had to record a video or sketch on a piece of paper to draw everything in the program later on. Last year, the developers added the «deferred loading» function, which made it possible not to wait at each light pole until the photo was loaded, as well as the offline mode – you can now draw and photograph objects without the Internet connection at all.
Deferred loading
Offline mode
When inventorying networks, questions often arise that only the customer knows the answers to, namely, those people who directly operate these networks. Using the web version, you can provide the client with a link to the map and grant them rights to create objects outside the operational layer, where they can monitor the progress of the inventory, as well as leave notes with comments and answer the questions that arise.
Sample layer with notes
As in any other project, the higher-ups and clients want to know the current summary data, while the inspectors want to know their salaries. To avoid sending a report to everyone every day, you can create a layer in the form of the administrative division boundary and display all the required information there. For it to appear in real time, you need to connect a third-party database and generate this data there. I use the Microsoft SQL Server.
Displaying summary data
Using the Microsoft SQL Server, you can also manipulate the data as you like; for example, you can copy the data of the previous asset – this significantly speeds up the work.
Copying data using the Microsoft SQL Server
Stage 3: Generating reports
Statement – automation is a must-have.After the inspectors complete on-site network auditing and their work is preliminarily reviewed, it is time to generate a report. In my first projects, it took me up to 40 minutes to create a single data sheet; it was even worse when I had to redo the datasheet for various reasons. For current projects, creating a data sheet takes up to 5 minutes.
It is all about automation. Using the same Microsoft SQL Server, you can prepare data, and using programming languages, in my case C# and Python, you can insert this data into the desired template, upload photos and diagrams.
Automated data sheets also minimize the possibility of entering incorrect data, provided that everything is done correctly in Zulu. This is important because a GIS engineer may manage several projects at once and switch from one to another; when generating reports, it often leads to various kinds of errors.
Automated data sheets also minimize the possibility of entering incorrect data, provided that everything is done correctly in Zulu. This is important because a GIS engineer may manage several projects at once and switch from one to another; when generating reports, it often leads to various kinds of errors.
Developer's Guide to ZuluGISConclusion
Statement – the map can be upgraded to meet maintenance needsIn the future, this map can be used as a platform for the service provider. After making structural changes, you can log the works involving network facilities, enter information about counterparties using the light poles, for example, to install fiber optic cables. The common map also makes it possible to speed up the work of certain departments, such as the dispatch service; using the map, they can instantly determine which streets have been left without lighting due to power outage and decide on rerouting power from the neighboring lines. As one Politerm specialist has told me, the program can do almost anything that comes to mind, the key is to articulate it correctly.
Logging changes
Network highlighting