scholarly journals Quality Control and Management of Inspection and Data Collection

Author(s):  
Robert A. Simmons ◽  
Richard Kania

Geographical Information Systems, Data trending, and Risk Assessment Software are now available to help pipeline operators execute safe, cost effective maintenance programs. However, to use these analytical tools effectively, large amounts of data pertaining to the integrity of the pipeline system and its environment are required. For this reason, pipeline rehabilitation programs have evolved into complex data collecting procedures, the success of which depends on the ability to efficiently obtain reliable, consistent and accurate information. This article will describe new software technology and Quality Control programs, relating to inspection personnel, which have been developed to increase the efficiency and reliability of the information collected during a pipeline excavation. The pertinent functions of software programs discussed will involve compatibility between databases, on site data validation, code calculations, communications and CAD drawings for a comparison with In Line Inspection results. As well, the need for quality control or training programs will be discussed addressing both the theoretical and practical applications of pipeline integrity and it’s relevance to quality data collection. Previous projects using these approaches will be presented showing their effectiveness in significantly increasing the efficiency and accuracy of the information collected while reducing overall inspection time and cost.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-49
Author(s):  
Katrina Scolaro

The purpose of this article is to analyse the technologies used in current pedagogical practices in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) classroom, in particular geography. It is argued that supporting children to be digitally literate is one of the keys to effective learning in the 21st Century. This article is based on potential practical applications of new technologies and ICTs, and linking them to the Australian Curriculum: Geography. As a preservice teacher, how can I best integrate the use of ICTs and use them to responsibility to enhance the learning of my future students? What quality and variety of ICT resources are available to us, as preservice teachers that will encourage creativity and motivate students and cater for all types of learners in the classroom? Fast, interactive and multimodal ICTs can assist teachers and students to explore the exciting ‘big ideas’ in the HASS classroom and with ICTs including Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems all around us, it makes for new and innovative pedagogy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 5) ◽  
pp. e001606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Dougherty ◽  
Masduq Abdulkarim ◽  
Fiyidi Mikailu ◽  
Usman Tijani ◽  
Kazeem Owolabi ◽  
...  

Geographical information systems (GIS) can be effective decision-support tools. In this paper, we detail a GIS approach implemented by the Bauchi and Sokoto state primary healthcare development agencies in Nigeria to generate and convert routine immunisation (RI) paper maps to digital maps for microplanning. The process involved three stages: primary and secondary data collection and reconciliation, geospatial data processing and analysis, and production and validation of maps. The data collection and reconciliation stage identified a number of challenges with secondary data sources, including the need to standardise and reconcile health facility and settlement names. The study team was unable to apply population estimates generated from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to RI planning because operational boundaries for polio activities are defined differently from RI activities. Application of open-source GIS software enabled the combination of multiple datasets and analysis of geospatial data to calculate catchment areas for primary health centres (PHCs) and assign vaccination strategies to communities. The activity resulted in the development of PHC catchment area digital maps, and captured next steps and lessons learnt for RI microplanning in the two states. While the digital maps provided input into the microplanning process, more work is needed to build capacity, standardise processes and ensure the quality of data used to generate the maps. RI service providers and communities must be engaged in the process to validate, understand the data, the contextual factors that influence decisions about which vaccination strategies RI microplans include and how resources are allocated.


1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Lamarche ◽  
Edward H. Owens

ABSTRACT An analysis of the work performed by the various teams involved in shoreline cleanup operations has been applied to the design of an approach for the integration of data collected by the SCAT process with electronic maps produced by geographical information system (GIS) technology. This has led to the implementation of a PC-based system that incorporates a database of SCAT information, a knowledge base on oil behavior and shoreline cleanup, and a GIS. The system provides support to data collection using the SCAT approach for field teams and to map-based data analysis for planners and managers. In the course of this work, a set of the maps that are considered the most useful for summarizing information about shoreline conditions was designed and evaluated. This evaluation initially involved consultation with individuals experienced in shoreline cleanup. The applicability of the map representation for decision making was further tested during spill drills. SCAT surveys generate a large volume of data that need to be captured and integrated. There is a risk that this large amount of information might overwhelm decision makers involved in the management of shoreline cleanup operations. The paper describes the various modifications that were made to the SHORECLEAN software package to provide some solutions to these problems. These include providing specialized SCAT data entry forms, automating the links between a SCAT database and a GIS, and producing map representations that provide clear, useful, and nonmisleading information for decision makers.


Author(s):  
Angela Bartlett ◽  
Mike Davies ◽  
Peter Burgess ◽  
Gavin Coppins

The United Kingdom nuclear research programme started in the 1940s. Research Sites Restoration Limited (RSRL) is responsible for the restoration of two sites which were at the forefront of this research, under a programme funded by the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). These are the 100 hectare Harwell site in Oxfordshire and the 84 hectare Winfrith site on the south coast of England. The work performed on these sites covered a huge range of nuclides, combinations of nuclides, chemical and physical processes, far more complicated than a power station, for example. The sites have a complex history with records of hundreds of buildings, many kilometres of drainage systems, groundwater contamination issues and land areas which require remediation. Formal work towards site release began in the 1990s, but demolition and clearance for re-use started many years earlier. An efficient restoration programme requires appropriate quality data. It is vital to decide what you need to know and how well you need to know it. As part of this, a challenging number of factors need to be considered in its design. This paper discusses these factors using the examples of the approach used at the Harwell and Winfrith sites including: • historical knowledge and associated uncertainties; • relevant clearance criteria; • availability and limitations of surveying equipment; • effective targeted and validation sampling with appropriate analytical methods; • data capture and analysis techniques; • effective communication between RSRL and the relevant technical teams; • mapping technologies (Global Positioning Systems, Geographical Information Systems); • use of Babcock’s IMAGES land quality software tool; • integration of the above over long time scales. The RSRL programme of works at the Harwell and Winfrith Sites is producing large volumes of different types of information from decommissioning, site investigation and remediation projects. This will be required to be accessible and understandable to support the process of site release which will continue over many years. The paper illustrates the methods by which RSRL is using effective knowledge management to compile a verifiable record to support site release as the site restoration works progress.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Valentin Petru Măzăreanu

Abstract The geographical information system represents a branch of information technology that was developed along with the traditional business information technologies. It enables viewing of complex data in a graphical manner easy to understand, providing a more realistic view of the conditions which must be evaluated. The geographical information systems are used in various fields, like geography, geology and all the related fields, public administration, military activities, transportation and infrastructure administration, business, healthcare, social services or land properties management. In this paper we will emphasize how these systems can be used as a powerful information visualization tool in educational environment, taking into account that information visualization makes data easier to understand using direct sensory experience, especially the visual one.


Author(s):  
H. Liu ◽  
Q. Zhan ◽  
M. Zhan

The majority of the research on the uncertainties of spatial data and spatial analysis focuses on some specific data feature or analysis tool. Few have accomplished the uncertainties of the whole process of an application like planning, making the research of uncertainties detached from practical applications. The paper discusses the uncertainties of the geographical information systems (GIS) based land suitability assessment in planning on the basis of literature review. The uncertainties considered range from index system establishment to the classification of the final result. Methods to reduce the uncertainties arise from the discretization of continuous raster data and the index weight determination are summarized. The paper analyzes the merits and demerits of the “Nature Breaks” method which is broadly used by planners. It also explores the other factors which impact the accuracy of the final classification like the selection of class numbers, intervals and the autocorrelation of the spatial data. In the conclusion part, the paper indicates that the adoption of machine learning methods should be modified to integrate the complexity of land suitability assessment. The work contributes to the application of spatial data and spatial analysis uncertainty research on land suitability assessment, and promotes the scientific level of the later planning and decision-making.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda Morton ◽  
J. Lee Levy

AbstractGathering essential health data to provide rapid and effective medical relief to populations devastated by the effects of a disaster-producing event involves challenges. These challenges include response to environmental hazards, security of personnel and resources, political and economic issues, cultural barriers, and difficulties in communication, particularly between aid agencies. These barriers often impede the timely collection of key health data such as morbidity and mortality, rapid health and sheltering needs assessments, key infrastructure assessments, and nutritional needs assessments. Examples of these challenges following three recent events: (1) the Indian Ocean tsunami; (2) Hurricane Katrina; and (3) the 2010 earthquake in Haiti are reviewed. Some of the innovative and cutting-edge approaches for surmounting many of these challenges include: (1) the establishment of geographical information systems (GIS) mapping disaster databases; (2) establishing internet surveillance networks and data repositories; (3) utilization of personal digital assistant-based platforms for data collection; (4) involving key community stakeholders in the data collection process; (5) use of pre-established, local, collaborative networks to coordinate disaster efforts; and (6) exploring potential civil-military collaborative efforts. The application of these and other innovative techniques shows promise for surmounting formidable challenges to disaster data collection.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh Mokarram ◽  
Majid Hojati

Abstract. The Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are used to provide accurate information on Pedogenic processes and facilitate the work of decision makers. So, MCDA and GIS, can provide a wide range of decision strategies or scenarios in some procedures. One of the popular algorithm of multicriteria analysis is Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA). The OWA procedure depends on some parameters, which can be specified by means of fuzzy. The aim of this study is to take the advantage of the incorporation of fuzzy into GIS-based soil fertility analysis by OWA in west Shiraz, Fars province, Iran. For the determination of soil fertility maps, OWA parameters such as potassium (K), phosphor (P), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), organic carbon (OC) and zinc (Zn) were used. After generated interpolation maps with Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), fuzzy maps for each parameter were generated by the membership functions. Finally, with OWA six maps for fertility with different risk level were made. The results show that with decreasing risk (no trade-off), almost all of the parts of the study area were not suitable for soil fertility. While increasing risk, more area was suitable in terms of soil fertility in the study area. So using OWA can generate many maps with different risk levels that lead to different management due to the different financial conditions of farmers.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document