AERIAL IMAGE DATABASES FOR PIPELINE RIGHTS-OF-WAY MANAGEMENT

Pipeline companies that own and manage extensive rights-of-way corrido rs are faced with ever-increasing regulatory pressures, operating issu es, and the need to remain competitive in today's marketplace. Automat ion has long been an answer to the problem of having to do more work w ith less people, and Automated Mapping/Facilities Management/Geographi c Information Systems (AM/FM/GIS) solutions have been implemented at s everal pipeline companies. Until recently, the ability to cost-effecti vely acquire and incorporate up-to-date aerial imagery into these comp uterized systems has been out of the reach of most users. NASA's Earth Observations Commercial Applications Program (EOCAP) is providing a m eans by which pipeline companies can bridge this gap. The EOCAP projec t described in this paper includes a unique partnership with NASA and James W. Sewall Company to develop an aircraft-mounted digital camera system and a ground-based computer system to geometrically correct and efficiently store and handle the digital aerial images in an AM/FM/GI S environment. This paper provides a synopsis of the project, includin g details on (1) the need for aerial imagery, (2) NASA's interest and role in the project, (3) the design of a Digital Aerial Rights-of-Way Monitoring System, (4) image georeferencing strategies for pipeline ap plications, and (5) commericialization of the EOCAP technology through a prototype project at Algonquin Gas Transmission Company which opera tes major gas pipelines in New England, New York, and New Jersey.