 June 2002 |
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The uses for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) continue to grow. One of the strongest GIS applications is utility systems…and Anderson & Associates is on the cutting edge of this service. Utility companies are now using GIS to provide more effective facilities management, and ultimately better service. By using a GIS, utility companies have access to a working model of their system that shows where facilities are located and what areas they service. As a result, utility companies can quickly pinpoint areas that are without service and get crews out to service customers faster.
"Prior to implementing our GIS system, we didn’t have an accurate count of our pole attachments," he said. "Now that we have the GIS, we can track where our pole attachments are and collect rental money from the cable and phone companies who use our poles for their services. This is now a revenue source." The Johnson City Power Board has integrated GIS into every job – from engineers who use the GIS to simulate electricity loads in the field to accountants who use it for billing. The Brownsville Utility Department also uses their GIS for system management and discovered that it provides a cost savings. "We used to plot a new set of maps periodically to reflect the most recent changes," explained Regie Castellaw, Assistant Manager of the Brownsville Utility Department in Brownsville, Tenn. "Now we have the GIS on a laptop and save considerable printing cost. And we can put as much information as we’d like on the GIS, where we were restricted on space with the printed maps." The Brownsville Utility Department also uses their GIS to attract industrial prospects to the area. The department provides industrial prospects with a computer file illustrating proposed site layouts, including all utilities, which is a valuable time-saving service. "Technology has gotten more affordable, so it is hard not to justify implementing a GIS," added Regie. "It is a smart investment." For more information about the benefits of using GIS with utility systems, please contact Jon Greene at 800-544-0147 or by email at greene@andassoc.com. &John Christman Promotes Math Skills As Associate Vice President of Surveying for the A&A Blacksburg office, John Christman works with mathematical applications everyday. Now he is offering high school students the opportunity to learn about math in the surveying profession through the Trig-Star Math Contest, a program created by the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping and the National Society of Professional Surveyors.
The contest incorporates the use of trigonometry to solve real problems encountered in the surveying and mapping professions. Competition winners at the regional, state, and national level receive scholarship awards. Elizabeth Ann Bell, a sophomore, was recognized as the Trig-Star for Christiansburg High School and was awarded First Place for the Western Chapter of VAS. Additionally, Elizabeth Ann is the second place winner in the Virginia State Trig-Star Competition. Tim Pollio, a freshman, was recognized as the Trig-Star for Blacksburg High School and tied for Third Place Trig-Star for the Western Chapter of VAS. "The Virginia 2001 Trig-Star was also the national champion and our Virginia math scholars look to be very competitive again this year,"said John. "Trig-Star affords me the opportunity to educate young people about careers in my chosen profession, which is very gratifying." &
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