ESRI-Based Application Maps Assets and Facilities, Supporting Safe and Efficient Billion-Dollar Expansion 

EDMONTON – ESRI Canada User Conference – September 15, 2011 – Implementing a large construction project involves coordinated planning and execution among many groups.  The Edmonton International Airport (EIA), which is undergoing a $1.1 billion-facility expansion, effectively addressed this challenge by developing a Web application using ESRI's geographic information system (GIS) technology.  The application allows staff and contractors to access data on EIA assets and facilities, improving the safety and efficiency of construction operations.  ESRI Canada today presented the EIA with an Award of Excellence in GIS for its outstanding GIS application.

“Web mapping is a cost-effective system for integrating and serving large amounts of data,” says Alex Miller, president, ESRI Canada.  “The EIA successfully demonstrates this by managing their complex construction project with GIS.  With all critical data at their fingertips, architects, planners, engineers and project managers responsible for different parts of the expansion can see the overall picture and organize their workflows so that the project proceeds smoothly and timely.  The EIA sets an excellent example of how airports can use innovative mapping technology to increase efficiency and improve services.”

The expansion project began in 2007 and involves building numerous new aircraft bridges, ramps for aircraft parking, additional car parking spaces, as well as a larger, redesigned retail and dining space.  To facilitate the rapid facility expansion, the EIA used ESRI's ArcGIS technology to develop a Web-based GIS application that supports efficient management of real estate leases in existing airport access points, ramps and terminal buildings. 

They then migrated their utility asset data from a computer-aided design (CAD) system into the Web GIS to provide secure, easy, self-serve information access to staff and contractors during the construction.   The system integrates historical data and current imagery, which has enabled architects to design a model showing the evolution of the facility.  The system also allows utility locators to identify buried assets during the summer's busy construction period and make improvements to the airport terminal without posing a risk to facility operators and travellers.

“More than 6 million passengers travel through our airport every year,” says Corinne Kozak, technical services manager, EIA.  “As one of Canada's busiest airports, we need to ensure that ongoing construction does not disrupt our daily operations.  Our Web GIS application supports our goal of providing customers and staff with safe and high-quality facilities and services.  It fosters teamwork and better communication among our employees and contractors.  As well, GIS helps us manage our assets responsibly and sustainably.”

For more information on ESRI's ArcGIS technology, visit esricanada.com/products/arcgis. 

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About Edmonton International Airport
Edmonton International Airport is one of the fastest growing and largest (by area) major Canadian airports.  It is managed by Edmonton Airports, a community-based, financially independent, non-share corporation.  Edmonton International Airport serves about six million passengers per year and offers non-stop service to more than 50 national and international destinations.  It was recently named the Most Efficient Airport in Canada (15 million passengers or less category) by the Air Transport Research Society.  More information is available at flyeia.com.
 
About ESRI Canada
Founded in 1984, ESRI Canada provides enterprise geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower businesses, governments and educational institutions to make timely, informed and mission-critical decisions by leveraging the power of geography.  The company distributes the world's leading GIS software from ESRI, Telvent, Cityworks and other technology partners.  Headquartered in Toronto, the company serves over 10,000 customers from 16 regional offices across Canada and has been named as one of the top 250 Canadian IT companies and top 25 IT professional services providers in Canada by the Branham Group.  Information about ESRI Canada can be found at esricanada.com.

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