Infrastructure Change Detection (PIPELINE Monitoring)

Goals and Objectives

The main objectives of processing Earth remote sensing data (RSD) for the purpose of Infrastructure Change Detection (PIPELINE Monitoring) are as follows:

• Ensuring the safe operation of particularly hazardous facilities and adjacent territories;
• Defining the zone of minimum distances and registering it (including boundaries) in the Unified State Real Estate Register;
• Determining the zone of minimum permissible distance to main or industrial pipelines and other objects of increased danger (power lines, etc.) suitable for construction or other economic activities, as well as human habitation;
• Timely detection of existing and under-construction buildings and structures within the zone of minimum distances / protected zone;
• Identification of illegally constructed buildings and structures within the zone of minimum distances;
• Identification of woody vegetation within the protected zone;
• Monitoring compliance with the width of the protective strip;
• Identification of logging residues (storage/retention) within the protected zone;
• Detection and timely prevention of possible technogenic disasters;
• Identification of locations with damages to pipeline supports and backfilling;
• Discovery of pipeline sections not in their planned position;
• Finding unplanned pipeline surface outcrops;
• Determining deviations from current requirements for pipeline protection;
• Collecting and analyzing information on the current state of protective zones, surface objects of the pipeline, and minimum permissible zones and distances;
• Operative identification of unauthorized activities and movements within the pipeline's protected zone;
• Inspection and analysis of the technical condition of the pipeline;
• Detection of theft of material assets;
• Monitoring the activities of contracting organizations;
• Discovery of spill and leakage locations;
• Determining the areas of land reclamation and contamination;
• Identification of places of illegal activity, etc.

In the pipeline laying zone:

• Identification of locations with damages to pipeline supports and backfilling;
• Discovery of pipeline sections not in their planned position;
• Finding unplanned pipeline surface outcrops;
• Determining deviations from current requirements for pipeline protection;
• Collecting and analyzing information on the current state of protective zones, surface objects of the pipeline, and minimum permissible zones and distances;
• Operative identification of unauthorized activities and movements within the pipeline's protected zone;
• Inspection and analysis of the technical condition of the pipeline;
• Detection of spill and leakage locations.

In the protective zone of power transmission lines (PTL):

• Identification of vegetation and determination of their height;
• Inspection and analysis of the technical condition of supports;
• Detection of breaks and damage assessment;
• Obtaining information for making decisions on the operative elimination of accidents on the line;

Protective zone of highways:

The protective zone along highways in Russia currently has an approximate range of 25 to 50 meters, and it is even less when passing through villages, settlements, and cities.

• Creation of a continuously operating and up-to-date database (thematic maps, geospatial video and photo of the current situation) of Infrastructure Change Detection (PIPELINE Monitoring). Basics of building information modeling: data collection, gradient and distance measurements, expansion through geographical referencing/data. A continuously operating GIS as a geospatial management system for PIPELINE Monitoring.

• Secondarily, but importantly, an ecological and up-to-date situation depicted on thematic maps.

• Development and implementation of measures to reduce the negative impact on the environment during construction and operation.

Advantages of Using Remote Sensing Materials

Emissions, for example, carbonaceous pollutants, and noise levels. Emissions from mobile sources on roads have historically been a significant anthropogenic factor in atmospheric air pollution. Concentration of such emissions on road maps will provide answers to cause-effect relationships for their reduction.

Protective Zone of Railways:

Practically the same as for highways, but taking into account the specific features of railway infrastructure and stricter, regulated rules. However, trains are not cars, and railway tracks are not roads. These statements are obvious, but they are often ignored when assessing the potential and actual impact on biodiversity by railways, which are often equated to the impact of roads.

 Therefore, there are specific approaches for railways, including: 

• Development and verification of a spectral index based on remote sensing to predict and map soil vulnerability to erosion within railway corridors in semi-arid conditions. The proposed approach is called the Normalized Difference Railway Erosion Liability Index (NDReLI).

• Remote monitoring of unstable slopes and infrastructure (landslide monitoring) at risk, using a combination of traditional and new stationary and automated (i.e., remote) technologies.

• Monitoring of ballast tracks and the zone of minimum distances with minimal vegetation.

• Monitoring railway track construction and reconstruction, bridges, stations, and other railway infrastructure.

Advantages of Using Remote Sensing Materials

The method of monitoring protective zones and determining the zones of minimum distances using Earth remote sensing (RSD) materials offers several advantages compared to traditional field methods. It is faster, more convenient for territories with complex natural and climatic conditions, and more effective for extensive and hard-to-reach hazardous industrial facilities such as main pipelines or power transmission lines. Additionally, it is more cost-effective while maintaining high-quality results.