Indepth Research Services (IRES) -Training and Professional Consulting in GIS, Remote Sensing, and Emerging Technologies

INTRODUCTION

Utility Sector is one of the fastest growing of the many fields in which Geographical Information System (GIS) software is used.

Utility being the nerve centre and basic infrastructure requirement, utility execution team must ensure that all the components are functional with no breakdown. The authorities should ensure regulation in consumer services and attend to breakdown on SOS basis. This is a challenging task. To facilitate management of such a system, the task is made substantially flexible and the system condition if presented visually on a geographical data, it facilitates easy tacking and attention.

GIS is emerging as an important sustainable planning, implementation management and operations management tool for these utility industries such as Telecom, Transportation, Energy and several Urban utilities such as Water Supply, Waste Water and Health.

Although a small number of utilities currently use GIS in their modelling, almost all the rest plan to use GIS in future.

GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualisation and geographic analysis benefit offered by maps, thus GIS is an indispensable tool in a utiltiy information management system.  Remote sensing on the other hand provides high resolution satellite imagery and aerial photographs for digitisation of  networks  and assets.

Utilities can use GIS  and Remote Sensing to not only have an accurate representation of their system infrastructure but can also use it to integrate all their information with a geographic component into one management system.

In a GIS, the actual physical structure of the distribution system - where the lines run, where the connections are - can be duplicated or modeled on the computer, as can all of the other things, like streets, buildings, and land ownership boundaries, that have a bearing on the distribution system.

GIS thus provides ideal means for describing utilities infrastructure, identifying problems and reccomending solutions, scheduling and recording maintenance actitivities, supporting technical issues, designing efficient meter reading routes and much more. Executing a GIS with a defined system design basis will go a long way in successful utility management.

This training will exposes participants to the use of GIS and Remote Sensing for Utility sector with respect to Data Sources, Mapping, Applications, Technology, and Timeline for implementation.

Applications and Potentials of current GIS technology and its relevance to the utilities management are also dealt in detail.

FOR WHOM IS THE TRAINING RELEVANT

The course is targeted at participants working in Government owned, Public Non-profit, State owned, and City owned utility management corporations, who require knowledge and skills on the use of GIS and Remote Sensing in their organization for sustainable utility management. Basic knowledge in GIS and use of GIS/CAD software is a required. Prior knowledge of Remote Sensing is not a requirement but will be an added advantage.

CLASS SIZE

The class size is limited to 10 participants to ensure that each participants has the opportunity to interact with the facilitator. The training may be cancelled if there are less than five participants.

DURATION

5 Days

TRAINING OBJECTIVE

The major objective of this training  is to facilitate participants on the  application of remote sensingand GIS in managing utility services. It further aims at training them to take quick, correct andreliable locational decisions.

TRAINING CONTENT

Module 1: Utility Management

• Description of all essential services and utilities
• Database development - Geo - Spatial Databases
• Data Acquisition - Spatial & Attribute data
• Spatial Database Management Systems

Module 2: Spatial Data Analysis

Point Pattern Analysis

• The meaning and nature of Point features over space
•  Measuring Central tendency
•  Dispersion of Point features
•  Quadrat Analysis, Nearest Neighbour statistics
•  Spatial Autocorrelation of Point features
• Applications in Utiltiy Management

Line Pattern Analysis

• The meaning, nature and characteristics of Line features over space
• Networks and Utility Management
• Network Analysis
  • Connectivity or Topology
  • Proximity Analysis

Polygon Pattern Analysis

• The meaning of spatial relationships and spatial dependency
• Spatial Autocorrelation
• Bivariate Spatial Autocorrelation
• Buffering: Point, Line, Area buffers
• Overlay
• Applications in Utiltiy Management

Vector Analysis

• Buffering: Point, Line, Area buffers
• Overlay
• Union, Intersect, Symmetrical Difference, Identity
• Point-in-Polygon, Line-in-Polygon, Polygon-in-Polygon
• Applications in Utiltiy Management

Surface Analysis

• Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
• Contouring, Hill Shading and Perspective View (3D viewing)
• Slope and Aspect Analysis

Digital Image Processing and classification

• Geometry of Aerial Photographs
• Aerial Photo Interpretation
• Image pre-proccessing and enhancement
• Information extraction
• Image classification
• Application: Digitisation of Networks from a high resolution image

Spatial decison support systems

• Whats is a DSS
• Components of a Utility Management System
• Developing an organisation level DSS: Tools

 Module 3: Modeling

• Modelling in utility applications,
• Infrastructure aims and objectives,
• Environmental law and regulations governing infrastructure utilities,
• Modern infrastructure tools

Module 4: Global Positioning System and mobile mapping

• Fundamentals of GPS
• Components of GPS,
• Planning your GPS Project
• GPS surveying methods and accuracy Factors
• Equipment Setup –Handheld GPS Receivers
• Equipment Setup –GPS Enabled Phones (Iphone, Andoid, BlackBerry, Nokia etc)
• Data Collection
• Exporting GPS data to GIS
• Application: Asset coding and consumer indexing 

Module 5: Case Studies

• Case studies I: Relating to Electricity, Gas, Water supply, Sewerage system
• Case studies II: Solid waste disposal, Telecommunication, Public health and safety, Crime Analysis

Practical Exercise 

• Refresher on Software tools.
• Spatial analysis: Querying, Identifying, measuring, query by location/attribute
• Quadrat Analysis, Nearest Neighbour statistics
• Network analysis, connectivity and proximity analysis
• Vector Analysis; Buffering: Point, Line, Area buffers
• Overlay
• Surface Analysis: Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Contouring, Hill Shading and Perspective View (3D viewing), Slope and Aspect Analysis.
• Loading of image data, identification of objects on video display
• Image enhancement techniques
• Image/photo interpretation: recognition and detection of objects
• Image classification techniques: supervised and unsupervised
• Digitisation of Networks from a high resolution image and an aerial photograph
• Site Suitability mapping and locating and relocating of infrastructure facilities related to:-
  • Electricity and Gas,
  • Water supply and Sewerage system,
  • Telecommunications and Transport
  • Site suitable for solid waste disposal, and
  • Accessibility mapping of health care services.

These structured and guided exercises will be done at an allocated time after each demonstration session. Facilitators and lab support team will be available in the evening upto 9.00 pm to assist participants further in doing the exercise.

METHODOLOGY

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web based tutorials, group work and study visits. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with an Indepth Research Services (IRES) certificate.

TRAINING VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION

The training is residential, and will be held at Sportsview Hotel, Kasarani. Applicants are highly encouraged to stay at the hotel where the training is held. The rooms’ rate is approximately US$ 50 per day. Note this is a negotiated rate between IRES and the Hotel management.

TRAINING FEES

• Alternative I: with accommodation: KES 109,499 or US$ 1,399, Exclusive of VAT (Add 16%)
• Alternative II: without accommodation: KES 79,499, or US$ 1,099, Exclusive of VAT (Add 16%)

The standard course fee of KES 109,499 or US$1,399 covers the course tuition, training materials, accommodation (6), breakfast (5), two break refreshments and lunch everyday during the training, study visits and all dinners. Participants will cater for their own travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses. Participants who wish to seek own accommodation can choose course fee Alternative II of KES 79,499 or US$1,099; Exclusive of VAT (16%), this will only cover for course tuition, training materials and study visits.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this course kindly register online in our website before C.O.B. 24th December 2012. For more details contact: The Manager - Training and Research Department, Indepth Research Services;  Mobile: (254) 721 440 526, Tel: (+254) 0202113814,  Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PAYMENT

Payment should be transferred to IRES account through bank on or before  C.O.B. 31st December 2012. Otherwise, your participation will be cancelled. Kindly send proof of payment to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CANCELLATION POLICY

Payment for the all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

No refunds will be made 14 days or less to the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training at a later date, or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Please Note: The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.