1. CROSS-COUNTRY Pipeline Route Selection
MGIS CAPSTONE PROPOSAL
CROSS-COUNTRY Pipeline Route Selection
Mitigating “Costs” for Early Concept Development
By: Geoff Price
Advisor: Dr. Todd Bacastow
June 22, 2009

2. Overview Problem Statement Old Way, New Way Route Influences
Least-Cost Path
Model Builder
Inserting Real Cost
Research
Q & A

3. Problem
Select alignment alternatives for optimal cross-country pipeline construction that meet project requirements.
Summarize alignment alternatives to facilitate real dollar cost estimation for early concept development (+/- 50%) B
Where?
& A
How Much?

4. Old Problem, Old Solution
The Manual Method
Small Scale Paper Maps (USGS, DOE, State Regulatory Dept, etc…)
Hand Delineation
Terrain Evaluation from Aerial Photographs

5. Old Problem, New Solution
The GIS Method
Digital Maps
Spatial Database (retrieval & storage)
Data Manipulation
Data Conversion
Raster Analysis (Map Algebra, LCP, etc.)
Used properly, GIS methods are faster, more efficient, more
comprehensive, and less expensive than traditional methods.

6. Route Influences
Engineering/Cost
Biophysical
Socioeconomic

7. What is Least-Cost Path?
COST SURFACE
LEAST-COST SURFACE
LEAST-COST PATH
(VECTOR)
Land Cover
COST SURFACE
COST SURFACE
LEAST-COST Surface
LEAST-COST PATH
(VECTOR) + =
Land Cover
Terrain-Slope

8. Cost-Weighted Surface
Influence
LEAST-COST/WEIGHTED
* =
Land Cover + =
* =
Terrain-Slope

9. LCP & Model Builder
LEAST COST PATH

10. LCP Results

11. Inserting Dollar Costs
Pipe Summary
Length
Geometry
Crossing Report
Type
Subtype
Frequency
Productivity PF TF GF
Construction Summary
Labor Crew
Equipment
Cost Estimate Spread Sheet
GIS
Cost Estimating Manual

12. Cost Estimating Manual
Productivity Factors
General Economy
Project Supervision
Labor Conditions
Equipment
Weather
Terrain Factor
Terrain-Slope
Geology Factor
Rock Type TF PF
Pipeline Length
Expected Linear Feet Per 10 Hour Day GF

13. Cost Estimating Manual cont…
Pipeline Layout (Survey)
Labor Crews
Equipment Spread
Clearing & Grading ROW
Ditching & Trenching
Cleaning & Testing
Clean Up
Restoration of ROW
Summarize Construction Activities

14. Research
What are pipeline route selection rules of thumb? (i.e., Engineering, Biophysical, & Socioeconomic).
Is there a favorable standard to apply relative “costs” to individual layers? (i.e.., 1,2,3,4 -OR- 1,3,6,9 -OR- other).
Identify a process for determining costs & weights. (i.e., Delphi Method, Analytical Hierarchy Process, etc…)
Identify benchmark candidate(s) for calibrating LCP and inserting real cost.
Using Cost Estimating Manual For Pipelines to quantify labor/equipment estimates and develop a +/-50% cost estimate for route alternatives.

15. Research Time Line Aug/Sept Rules of thumb Cost Standards
Decision Support Techniques
Identify Benchmark
Process Def. (Model & Spreadsheet)
Calibrate/Re-Run
Document Findings
Aug/Sept

16. Questions?

17. References:
Delavar, M.R., 2003, Pipeline Routing Using Geospatial Information System Analysis,
ScanGIS' The 9th Scandinavian Research Conference on Geographical Information Science,
4-6 June 2003, Espoo, Finland – Proceedings, pp
Mollard, J.D., Penner, Lyncen., Zimmer, Troy., 2008, Pipeline Geo-Environmental Design and Geohazard Management. Chapter 2 Pipeline Route Selection pp. 5-69
Page, S. John, Cost Estimating Manual for Pipelines and Marine Structures, 3rd Ed Section 1, pp 1-65.