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