ASSET MANAGEMENT

The Mapping Access Land in England project has involved the mapping of Open Country and Registered Common Land. By using Ordnance Survey of Great Britain MasterMap in conjunction with a database as the basis of the mapping, a methodology was established for the capture and maintenance of a complex audit trail relating to land asset data capture and management. BV has delivered a variety of desktop and web-based functionality to facilitate this process, including a pioneering web-based public consultation exercise.

The Marine Aggregates Information System (MAIS) and the Ship Utilisation System (SUS) have been delivered to several shipping companies to assist them in the extraction of marine aggregates and the management of extraction sites. A custom GIS interface allows users to maintain a database of condition information that includes the ability to map resource depletion three dimensionally.

The following list details some of the technical expertise that we are able to offer for asset management:

• Business requirements analysis
• Systems design
• Oracle, SQL Server and Access database development
• Development of asset management solutions and web portals
• Pre and post-capture processing
• Geomatic analysis
• Production of cartographic quality mapping

Data Warehousing and Data Mining

We are able to provide data warehouse based architectures based on Oracle. Our approach to data mining is built around Cambridgedocs technology for allowing content from different sources, in different formats, to work together as part of an overall "content architecture".

Our knowledge of spatial solutions means that we can also provide a geographic context to information searching so that documents can be indexed against location; for example, assets information can be referenced against specific locations on plans.

3D & Scenario Modelling

We use GIS to help undertake 3D analysis. In some cases this is combined with the CAD packages as well as hydraulic modelling software. 3D Modelling will invariably involve the use of Digital Terrain or Digital Elevation Models. We use data from Ordnance Survey of Great Britain, LiDAR data, and information collected via GPS or more traditional survey techniques.

We were one of the first to pioneer 3D modelling related to hydrodynamic engineering and today we are a leading consultant in the fields of catastrophic flood mapping and analysis (e.g. flooding from the breach of major dams) and floodplain mapping under Section 105 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

Our models are used to test development plans at strategic and tactical levels and help inform alleviation strategies.

Environmental Data Analysis

Black & Veatch Consulting is one of the most experienced organisations in the UK with regard to environmental data analysis and algorithm development. By integrating environmental and engineering specialists within our GIS teams, we are able to develop intelligent GIS solutions and tackle complex environmental problems.

BV are one of four consultants appointed to provide engineering and environmental consultancy services to the Environment Agency over the next five years. This was achieved not only through our demonstrated technical capability but also a commitment to the vision of the Agency, the Latham and Egan targets and a willingness to work with the Agency to achieve value for money. The projects awarded so far include the development of flood schemes in Lewes and Uckfield (the worst hit areas in the floods of Autumn 2000), York and Shrewsbury. These awards were made to BV as we have demonstrated our ability to bring in all stakeholders in projects as well as deliver the required technical quality. As part of these projects, BV provide river and tidal modelling services using HEC-RAS and ISIS models, and GIS visualisation.

Hydro-Dynamic Modelling

Hydraulic modelling attempts to re-create complex scenarios which require data for numerous parameters. When models relate to problems of a spatial nature, GIS can greatly assist in management, analysis and visualisation of model inputs and outputs. This can enable the end-user, without specific GIS skills, to understand the results of the modelling process and have greater control over any subsequent analyses.

We have been carrying out hydraulic modelling projects since 1990, including nearly 200 full DAMBreak analyses and approximately 75 risk assessments for other reservoirs.

Tidal Defences and Flood Mapping

We have been involved with the Thames Tidal Defences for over 30 years.

For flood mapping applications the ESRI extension products 3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst are also used. Spatial Analyst is an extension to the ArcGIS / ArcView products which allows tasks such as terrain and surface analysis to be carried out. The 3D Analyst product allows three-dimensional modelling of GIS data to be carried out within the ArcView / ArcGIS environment.

We also have experience with the Management Decision Support Framework software and procedures produced for DEFRA. Produced as an extension for ArcView, the software is used in the development of Catchment Flood Management Plans. A new version of the software has been produced recently to be used in the creation of Shoreline Management Plans; we are carrying out the testing of the new software.

Tidal Mapping Studies

We interpolate LIDAR data to create relief contours and then use mathematical analysis of DTM and tidal flow to create flood contours. By using ground level data it is possible to develop a 3 dimensional model of valleys; the depth contours and damage envelopes calculated and mapped.