Find out how ASA’s data analysts have undertaken data creation for multiple industries
by Stephen de Groot
I am a geospatial data analyst who has worked on many projects during my three-year career at ASA. Like most ASA staff, I am neurodivergent. Before working for Australian Spatial Analytics, I had trouble gaining meaningful employment; my full story can be found here. Now, I’m working on many data projects contributing to the Australian economy, and the geospatial profession has become my passion.
Here are some of the geospatial data creation projects I’ve undertaken.
Enzen / Energy Queensland electricity asset digitisation
The project I have the most experience with was mapping the electricity network in Queensland. This involved reading and interpreting work orders for newly completed groundwork. The complicated part is thinking critically about what happened at the location and mapping the exact details into the geospatial mapping system–the ArcGIS Utility Network Model (UNM). The Energy Queensland installation is one of the largest in the world, with over 25 million spatial features and counting.
This process involved referencing multiple data sources, including the work orders, various legacy systems that were due to be retired, and even Google Street View if nothing else was available. These tasks require a mix of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaboration with our peers before we begin creating geospatial data.
The final step involves creating geospatial data using the Geographic Information System (GIS) software, ArcGIS Pro. This process is just as much a delicate art as a time-consuming task. From modelling a substation exactly how the staff at Energy Queensland want us to model it to create a string of thirty identical poles, we developed these skills through experience and on-the-job training.
Energy Queensland benefited from reliable data on its electrical network. Esri also indirectly benefited from our work because ASA analysts tested their new platform on a working scale that had never been tried before. We also received great feedback from Peter Scott, Energy Queensland’s Chief Executive Officer.
“The young neurodivergent data analysts at Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA) have been instrumental in creating a 'single source of truth' for our electricity assets, a critical step for Energy Queensland following the Energex and Ergon merger under a holding company structure. Their technical expertise and innovative approach have been truly remarkable. The complexity of this task cannot be overstated. These analysts not only learnt and navigated the intricacies of three separate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs and associated applications but also gained an understanding of complex electricity network principles. Their ability to see patterns and solve problems in unconventional ways has been invaluable. These young professionals have not only delivered key outcomes but have also brought a fresh perspective and a collaborative spirit to our team. I am truly impressed by their dedication, intelligence, and technical prowess.”
Urban Utilities water infrastructure data
Similar to how we mapped the electrical network in Queensland, we have also mapped the water network for Urban Utilities, including water and sewer systems. In this project, producing accurate data was paramount, as the data that we created could be used at any time to redirect water flow or perform work on a part of the sewer system.
The process for this project was quite similar to that of the Energy Queensland project. We read the work orders from Urban Utilities and their subcontractors, carefully deciphering what happened at a site. For example, was the pipe capped and abandoned or removed entirely? This matters significantly for work that needs to occur at a later date. Then, we created the spatial data based on our interpretation of the work order using ArcMap software.
This requires careful planning and interpretation, as there was little margin for error. For larger projects, construction workers took field measurements, which we imported into ArcMap to make necessary corrections. What Urban Utilities gains from working with ASA is that the work order backlog is entered into their geospatial mapping system and the experience of working with analysts with transferable skills from other projects. This means they don’t have to hire internally and train new analysts from scratch. Urban Utilities also creates social impact through its supply chain.
Endeavour Energy pole data checking project
The New South Wales Government requires electrical power poles in the regions to be checked yearly for defects that pose a potential safety and bushfire risk. Enzen asked us to undertake this project for Endeavour Energy. The process is straightforward for this project—we take existing drone footage of the power poles and start at the top, checking for minor and major defects. If we found any potential defect, we flagged it for inspection by a trained linesman.
While this project uses our acquired knowledge on the Energy Queensland project, it also requires an ‘if it does not look right, flag it’ mentality. Due to the >130,000 poles that required inspection, we needed to be accurate and fast. We reported thousands of potential defects for further investigation. Our work will allow Endeavour Energy to complete the inspection backlog and have the electrical poles checked before summer starts, when the bushfire risk is high.
Brisbane City Council emergency data management
After the 2022 floods, Brisbane City Council acquired large swathes of data about its critical assets, emergency facilities, and other information. Data that could assist emergency response if a natural disaster were to happen again. As is the nature of data collected from multiple sources, it required organisation, checks and needed to be presented in a way that made it inaccessible for someone inexperienced in a data analytics role. Brisbane City Council then engaged ASA to help with this process.
The first step was to create thumbnails and write descriptions of each dataset's data, which involved a mix of graphic design and visual inspection. The second step was to validate the data by cross-referencing datasets containing similar information, the dataset's source, and any available public information to ensure that the data was factually correct and a ‘single source of truth’.
We also assisted Brisbane City Council with reviewing their website for any information that could be displayed spatially. This included spatial information in ‘flat’ files (PDF files, for example) and address lists without their location displayed on the map, among other things. We also inspected their website for accessibility issues. The result was that Brisbane City Council had accurate data for an emergency and deep insights into how their website displayed spatial information. Feedback we received said, "everything we have received provides tremendous assistance for our progress to deliver an improved spatial environment internally and to improve our presentation of information to our customers."
Summary
ASA's expertise in organising and validating critical data ensures reliable and accessible information, making us a trusted choice for enhancing spatial environments and information presentation. Our data analysts work on diverse geospatial data creation projects, which require critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and skills in multiple GIS software.
Creating this accurate geospatial data significantly improves an organisation’s operational efficiency. ASA’s partner clients leverage the unique talents of neurodivergent people to deliver high-quality spatial analytics services while creating social impact, creating a win-win situation.
Find out more at our Data Services page.
