Vegetation Management Process
Our method to perform vegetation analysis consists of collecting points along the wires and trees using LiDAR survey and importing them into PLS-CADD for analysis; we then model our transmission line based on collected data.
Our process is described in the following steps:
- We create a DTM or "min-tin" from the LiDAR.
- From feature coded LiDAR data we create the PLS-CADD file and model the structure and conductor and wire conditions at the time of acquisition taking into account the existing weather case.
- After establishing the correct phase geometry of the conductor attachments in the method 1 model, we can apply the correct wire type (provided by the utility) and modeling the existing wire and stringing tensions.
- Assuming the tension and wire models are accurate, we then can derive additional geospatial products using the reporting functions inside of PLS-CADD (i.e. danger trees, fall in violations, NESC clearance violations).
- We then perform danger tree analysis based on a combination of wind, ice, temperature to compare the wire position under those cases and predict any clearance violation.