GIS-Based Pipeline Optimization Model for Turkey: A Case Study

Pipelines are one of the most suitable transport methods for the distribution of existing resources in line with needs and demands. These long distance lines are constructed with huge amounts of expenditure. Reducing construction costs, as well as potential environmental damages, and minimizing construction period of pipeline projects depends on appropriate route planning at the beginning of the process. With this aim, all factors which will have an impact on the route should be examined and analyzed in an integral manner. Depending on the distance between reserve and target destinations, frequent changes are observed in the surface (land use, topography, streams, etc) and underground (soil, geology, etc) characteristics, which result in a dense data set. Efficient management of this data and obtaining accurate results can be possible by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technologies based on Raster Data Models. This study presents the raster-based GIS model developed for optimal routing of pipelines and lists the advantages to be provided by this model in its implementation. Routes defined using network analysis techniques over rasterbased GIS models have been found to minimize economic, environmental and timing costs, depending on the quality of the data used. The model developed has been tested through the optimization of a current natural gas pipeline route and the results obtained have been examined from different perspectives. At the end of the study, it has been concluded that the route defined using raster network analysis techniques over the developed model reduces project cost by 23%, pollutes the environment at a lower level, and is more appropriate from a sociological perspective.