When GDM introduced its ground-breaking Converge Crossing Manager in 2017, it transformed the way companies identify, prioritize, and manage their pipeline water crossing inspection programs. By calculating the location of every pipeline water crossing across Western Canada and applying advanced analytics to rank each of them based on an objective set of criteria, GDM gave operators valuable insight to help identify potential issues before they occur.
Now, we are pleased to announce Crossing Proximity Factors, the latest innovation in prioritizing pipeline water crossings!
With this revolutionary new approach, operators can add a Proximity Factor, or “buffer zone” around a pipeline water crossing to identify where a crossing on a smaller river or stream has the potential to impact a larger body of water downstream. By taking this into account, operators can more precisely assess the potential consequences of a release on a pipeline water crossing, should it occur.
The Proximity Factor can be applied to a group of crossings using a bulk import function, or it can be set for each individual crossing, allowing operators to customize how and where the factors are applied.
These advanced analytics give operators objective, real-world insight to help ensure their pipeline water crossings are being effectively managed.
Here’s how it works…
Let’s say you have a pipeline water crossing that crosses a small tributary. Under normal circumstances, this crossing may not seem to be a high priority for you to inspect as part of your regular maintenance due to the small size of the waterbody. But, what you may not realize is a few hundred meters downstream, that small tributary joins into a large river, meaning the impact of a release could be significantly higher than originally anticipated. By using Converge Crossing Manager with a Proximity Factor applied, this situation would be identified and allow you to make an informed decision about prioritizing your water crossing inspection plan for that location.
Interested in learning more?
Visit the Converge Crossing Manager page, or contact us. We’d be happy to answer any questions or set up a demo for you to learn more.
