| Paper maps are no longer popular, or efficient | | | | maps contribute to an easier management on the |
| considering the present necessities. That is the | | | | part of the government. For example, companies |
| reason for which the latest technology in pipelines | | | | or the government can easily meet their |
| maps consists of digital cartography. This type of | | | | responsibilities such as notifying landowners every |
| maps present several advantages, but they also | | | | two years that they have a pipeline on their land. |
| serve to various purposes. A first aim of a | | | | Not only that, but pipeline companies can also |
| pipeline map was to update already existing maps. | | | | make a more realistic idea regarding pipeline |
| This means that new standards have been | | | | assets and to establish the geoenvironmental |
| created that respond better to needs of the | | | | details of the location where they develop their |
| companies. In this sense we cannot avoid saying | | | | activity. |
| that there are pipelines that have been taken out | | | | At the same time, a digital pipeline map gives the |
| of usage but they still appear on old maps. This | | | | surveyor the possibility to visualize the actual |
| would not serve to companies in any possible | | | | length of the pipe from beginning to end without |
| way. But digital maps involve research and | | | | actually visiting the real place. This is a piece of |
| surveying which have come out with current data. | | | | information that is actually impossible to access |
| A correct description of the pipeline maps is very | | | | through conventional maps. Before bringing out |
| important for companies to have access to | | | | and developing the GPS technology such data |
| accurate geography of the pipelines. Digital maps | | | | were conventionally assembled using a wheel, |
| serves better to such a purpose owing to the | | | | tape and sketchbook, each tool being handled by |
| GPS technology that provides real data as for | | | | a different surveyor. Only virtual visualization of |
| example longitude and latitude data, cultural | | | | the land can provide precise details on the |
| information, various details regarding roads, | | | | topography of pipelines areas. |
| waterways, building structures. This is possible not | | | | To all that we can add the advantage that all data |
| only because of the GPS device, but also because | | | | are automatically inserted in a pipeline map. This |
| of a relationship with the landowners. This | | | | means quick access to updated information and |
| relationship implies a two-ways flux of information: | | | | efficient changes in projects if necessary. The |
| the company projecting the pipeline map provides | | | | precision and speed of GPS, together with the |
| him with the right information; also the landowners | | | | help of a computer result in pipeline maps that do |
| provide all necessary details about the lands. | | | | not know comparison in quality and complexity. |
| Another advantage involves prices of pipelines | | | | Not to count the fact that a lot of time and |
| maps. These are considerably small as compared | | | | money are saved as a consequence of |
| to costs involved when using traditional methods. | | | | technology improvement in the domain. |
| Figures indicate a reduction of costs that go up to | | | | Using the latest technology there is no doubt that |
| 40%. Therefore, we cannot say that it is a luxury | | | | digital pipeline maps are what companies are |
| to purchase up-to-date maps for pipelines. Apart | | | | looking for nowadays. A pipeline map offers |
| from money, time is also an important aspect to | | | | considerable potential for pipeline companies to |
| consider because without using a digital pipeline | | | | benefit of accurate documentation and surveying |
| map, the surveying process would take about 50 | | | | of their pipelines. In fact, if we consider cost |
| % longer. To make it clear, the surveying and | | | | savings, they have a good business on their side. |
| digital mapping is able to locate exactly the pipeline. | | | | As a matter of fact, the popularity of digital maps |
| Receiving the correct information, the property | | | | for pipelines has increased significantly over the |
| owners are confident that the pipeline map they | | | | years and many companies have started to see |
| need to use is correct. | | | | the benefits of this technology. |
| In addition, the flexibility given by digital pipeline | | | | |