QGIS - Automated Permission Maps generated with Atlas

Planning utility networks, such as fiber often means to submit plenty of permission documents. Often this means maps showing the trench routing and where e.g. water bodies need to be crossed. With Estonian Fiber and aastrix we developed a workflow to quickly identify such crossings and generate dozens of maps with just a few clicks.

The Challenge

Fiber network planning can span large areas such as entire municipalities. Ultimately, you will encounter protected areas, heritage protection and crossings of water bodies. The math is simple, the larger the area, the more permission documents are required. Especially maps that show direction, depth, and construction method for all network sections that cross such areas.

In cooperation with Estonian Fiber and aastrix, we developed a solution with QGIS to analyse and produce exactly those required map documents for the approval of the local authorities in Saxony.

Our Approach

First, we looked at the current workflow and method how these documents were generated. The overall visual consistency must be kept, meaning layer symbology, map layout should not differ.

Screenshot from AutoCAD Map 3d showing a water crossing map document with single and static text, drawing and map elements. Key elements for approval are a map view, location and waterbody ID, schematic drawing of the crossing, crossing method, medium and start/end points.

Up until this point, all sheets were created in manual labour for each crossing.
Basically copy & paste and altering all information manually on each sheet.

Data Integration

As the map data is stored in a PostgreSQL database, we worked with IT to access the data in QGIS. Then we developed a symbology similar to what was used in AutoCAD.

Accessing State Portal

We include a dataset of the Saxonian authorities to access geometries and information about the waterbodies in the project area.

Crossing Tool and Analysis

What medium crosses the water body, where, in what depth and method, these are the primary questions to answer with each document. The fibre network contains part of that information already.
80% of the work went into this to create a processing tool that intersects the datasets and enriches it with attributes of other datasets to allow the output data acting as dynamic as possible in case of needed adjustments.

In simple terms, whenever a trench crosses a river, creek or canal, it generated a point with certain features attached. This resulting point feature is the foundation for the further process and the key element of the following atlas.

Tool screenshot with layers to select guideline.

Drawing Templates

In the next step, we analysed all the different crossing types that occurred across the current and previous projects and generated template drawings.

Example of a cross-section template to show direction of crossing. In this case, a horizontal directional drilling method underneath a piped water stream.

Atlas generation

Finally, we modelled the layout and included a huge quantity of dynamic “Atlas“ elements which access attribute tables. We also attached many queries to allow creation of a map series of ALL analysed crossing locations.

Hit the “Generate“ Button and enjoy a coffee!

Images above showcase a pair of generated output map documents.
The only difference visible is the tiny detail „Generated with QGIS 3.22“

Documentation

Finally, we documented the entire process, tool functionality and schooled the
workers in how to use it.

Impact

This method proved to be a huge time saver in the creation of those permission documents. Comparing to the previous workflow, it acts more dynamic, is less vulnerable to mistakes or information lost during copy & paste moments and allows the analysis and map production for large areas in a short amount of time.

Lessons Learned

The observation of an already established workflow certainly had a significant impact on the outcome and to see what challenges might lay ahead. As the previous maps were created in a CAD system, it had to be entirely reworked and transitioned into QGIS.

Most valuable was certainly the linking of municipality data with the internal network datasets. But also, how all the field attributes can be used in the QGIS Atlas maps so that it keeps the dynamic.

Publication

QGIS as a Tool in Planning Optical Fiber Networks at the FOSS4G 2024 in Tartu/EST.
https://talks.osgeo.org/foss4g-europe-2024/talk/QMDLXN/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib4RE3GboAI