The Mobile Pipe Locator Crew: Evaluation of the PipeHawk Radar, Vacuum Excavator and E-Line Locator for Trouble Locates

摘要

NYSEG studied the deployment of a two-man mobile pipe locating crew between July 17, 2001 and August 28, 2002. The crew used a PipeHawk ground-penetrating radar (GPR), a Utiliscope VE-75 vacuum excavator (VacHoe) and a Continental Industries E-Line Locator to perform trouble locates and to conduct various keyhole activities. The goal was to determine if deployment of the technologies could 1) reduce damage to public and private property and the NYSEG gas distribution system and 2) lower NYSEG operating costs. The crew maintained daily log sheets that documented the work performed, the time spent, problems encountered and successes achieved. They also documented the estimated manpower and equipment costs that would have occurred if standard methods were used on the job. These log sheets were collected, summarized and analyzed by Energy Technology staff to determine the cost-effectiveness of the crew and their technologies. During the one-year project, the crew was active for six months and inactive for another six. Data were reported from 64 jobs on 45 different days. The crew successfully completed 95% of the jobs. Individual technology success rates were 100% for the E-Line Locator, 98% for the VacHoe and 92% for the PipeHawk. The two-man crew using the new technologies completed its work 29.7% faster than a three-man crew using standard technology. Because of reduced labor, equipment and restoration costs, the estimated daily cost of the two-man crew was 48.2% less than the standard crew. In addition to these productivity enhancements, the crew reduced mismark incidents in the Binghamton Division by 46% in six months, avoided repair costs and minimized the need for NYSEG observer stand-bys. The total annual estimated savings of crews using the new technologies is large. The technologies also successfully improved NYSEG customer service, safety and reliability performance.