2024 Proceedings

Since more than 15 years, ERM, as the world’s largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability supports German transmission line operators in spatial planning, environmental impact assessments and approval processes. The complexity of procedures and challenges associated with, among others, gathering large volumes of data of varying quality from administrative units at different levels have necessitated the need for database systematization and process automation. We would like to share some of those challenges, as well as our solutions and lessons learned with GIS users’ community.

SBB, the Swiss railway operator with its own electric power grid, employs Pathfinder, a non-code cloud GIS solution, for efficient power line and substation planning. Pathfinder's rapid routing and siting capabilities streamline the process, allowing SBB to plan new lines or plan replacement of aging infrastructure swiftly. The results seamlessly integrate into ArcGIS Pro through an add-in, ensuring interoperability between the Pathfinder and ArcGIS. This approach significantly accelerates planning processes, enhancing overall efficiency in infrastructure management.