Built With GNSS: A Busy Port’s First GIS
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Trimble R2 Integrated GNSS System
- Trimble T10 Tablet
- Esri Collector
Tech Stack
- GNSS
- GIS
- VRS Network
Implementation Scale
- Pilot projects
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Digital Expertise
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Applicable Industries
- Marine & Shipping
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Facility Management
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Track & Trace of Assets
- Remote Asset Management
- Infrastructure Inspection
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Port NOLA, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the world's busiest ports. It serves as a crucial hub at the intersection of a vast continental network of rail, rivers, and inland waterways. The port recently acquired a rail system, highlighting the need for an enterprise GIS to manage its extensive infrastructure. Port NOLA's operations are vital for both everyday activities and disaster response, necessitating accurate and up-to-date asset records. The port's infrastructure includes crane rails, gantry cranes, wharf decks, and more, all of which are essential for its operations. The port's management recognized the importance of having a modernized GIS system to streamline operations, enhance security, and improve disaster response capabilities.
The Challenge
Prior to 2016, Port NOLA had no enterprise GIS, GIS software, or dedicated GIS staff. The port relied heavily on manual and CAD drawings, engineering plans, and institutional knowledge held by employees. This posed a significant challenge, especially when employees retired or were unavailable. The acquisition of a shortline railroad added more records, complicating the situation. The port needed to map critical infrastructure like crane rails, tiedown points, and utilities to improve security and disaster response. The lack of a comprehensive GIS system made it difficult to manage these assets effectively.
The Solution
Port NOLA initiated a pilot project to develop its first enterprise GIS, utilizing Trimble technologies for precise field asset mapping. The project involved high-precision GNSS rovers paired with mobile tablets running GIS asset inventory software. The goal was to verify existing asset records and capture missing features. The mapping campaign focused on critical infrastructure like crane rails, tiedown points, and utilities. The local consulting firm, Environmental Science Services, Inc. (Es²), assisted in creating the GIS by digitizing rail infrastructure using digital orthophotos and field mapping with the Trimble R2 GNSS Rover. The project demonstrated that field mapping is a cost-effective alternative to converting legacy records, providing accurate and up-to-date asset information.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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