The first phase is the most important one of our process. In this phase we will gather critical information in order to perform an analysis of your system.

Public Awareness Program Parameters

Paradigm will work with you on determining the stakeholder audiences you want to identify as defined in RP 1162. and will help you define the affected public awareness area (buffer) for each stakeholder audience. Many variables can effect the size of a buffer for public awareness including:

• High Consequence Areas (HCA)
• Highly Volatile Liquids (HVL)
• Product Type
• Pipe Diameter/Pressure
• System Type (transmission/distribution/gathering)

Centerline Data and System Verification

Paradigm’s GIS staff will meet with your GIS staff to understand the format of your centerline data and to ascertain the projection of your data.

• ESRI Shapefile NAD 83 is the preferred format
• AutoCAD .dwg files are acceptable if pipeline centerline is attributed
• Lat/Long Coordinates exported from custom GIS applications can also be utilized
• Digitizing of hard copy maps, aerials, alignment sheets is available (accuracy will depend on detail of information provided)
  

Using your pipeline centerlines, Paradigm will generate a Coverage Map and County Asset Report for your review. This process ensures inclusion of your entire system or applicable lines.

Once program parameters have been defined and your system has been verified, a pipeline analysis is generated. Paradigm utilizes the most current data sources and geocoding methodology (including both parcel and interpolated geocoding), to identify and notify only the stakeholder addresses that lie within your chosen public awareness buffer.