UtilityNetwork

-- Name -- utility network

Collection of network elements that belong to a single type of utility network. -- Description -- In the real world, objects are connected to each other: an optical cable is connected to a multiplexer that in turn is connected to copper cables connecting into our homes to provide cable TV, telephony and internet access. Using GIS to support network utility management typically involves many types of features that may have connectivity to each other. Topology in GIS is generally defined as the spatial relationship between connecting or adjacent features, and is an essential prerequisite for many spatial operations such as network analysis. Utility networks can be described as NaN (Node-Arc-Node) network using two basic geometric types: points (aka <i>nodes</i>) and polylines (aka <i>arcs</i>). NaN topologies can be directed or un-directed, depending on specific type of network (i.e. water networks are directed, while telecommunications networks are not). Such topology structure provides an automated way to handle digitising and editing errors, and enable advanced spatial analyses such as adjacency, connectivity and containment. Infrastructure networks rely on Generic network model developed during Annex I. Note: Via the attribute "utilityNetworkType", that uses the "UtilityNetworkTypeValue" codelist, the type of utility network can be defined. E.g. by selecting the "sewer" value, the utility network becomes a "sewer utility network". Using the "crossTheme" value, a utility network can be created that contains e.g. ducts, which can contain pipes and cables from various utility network types.