EPA New England's Center for Environmental Industry and Technology (CEIT)

Innovative Technology Inventory (ITI)
InfraMetrix, LLC
CUES-IMX Truck Mounted Zoom Camera System

Company Address: 26 Lucy Drive Reading, MA 01867 Contact: Susan E. Pryputniewicz, P.E. Phone #: 781-779-1592 Fax #: 813-740-2536 E-mail: info@inframetrix.com Website: www.inframetrix.com

Technology Types:
Detection/Monitoring, Pollution Prevention/Spill Prevention/ Storm Water/Wastewater

Technology Description:

The CUES-IMX truck-mounted zoom camera is a unique video inspection system for manholes and pipelines and other subsurface structures.

The CUES-IMX camera offers unparalleled imaging technology with a 25:1 optical zoom that is stabilized and remotely controlled by a telescopic boom to produce high picture clarity with enhanced detail up to 700 feet. The camera mounting fork is designed to pan the camera head 360° continuously, tilt mechanically 45° up or 90° down and tilt optically 166°. The camera imager, optics, mechanics and electronics are housed in a damage resistant, waterproof, rugged enclosure that is 7" in diameter and 16" in length. The front camera head housing includes a view port of distortion free, heat resistant glass.

The CUES-IMX system includes the camera, HID lighting heads, mast system and controller. The system can be provided on various means of transportation including inspection vans, all terrain vehicles or trailers.

Application:
The availability of zoom camera equipment for the inspection of gravity sewer systems and subsurface structures is significantly changing how sewer systems are managed. The CUES-IMX technology offers a fast and inexpensive solution for locating pipe blockages and structural failures. Entire gravity sewer systems can be inspected in less than one year by one zoom camera crew. The zoom truck contains data collection and GIS software and GPS equipment. The software and GPS equipment are used to create sewer maps in the field, locate defects and capture video and photographic documentation of the current condition of the sewer system. All data is geo-referenced to the field collected GPS coordinates. The inspection of buried assets is performed from street-level resulting in safer and faster inspections of buried assets. CUES-IMX zoom inspection information is used to update asset inventories and mapping; document condition and needs; address SSOs and CSOs; prioritize maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement activities; develop annual budgets; and provide critical information for preventative maintenance activities.

The CUES-IMX zoom system provides the greatest protection against sewer blockages and overflows. A zoom inspection of a gravity sewer system will reduce collection system operation and maintenance costs and helps to increase system performance. The zoom camera system is used to gather valuable information about the actual condition of storm water and wastewater collection systems for the prioritization of cleaning, in-line camera inspection, repairs and rehabilitation programs. The CUES-IMX camera provides a 360° design ready-video inspection of the manhole as it is lowered from the ground surface. For pipeline inspections, the CUES-IMX camera can view up to 75 feet for 6-inch diameter pipe segments and 700 feet for larger pipelines. Video recording of manholes or other vertical structures and pipelines is provided on graphically-indexed CD-ROMs, DVDs or hard drives linked to the GIS maps. CUES-IMX zoom inspection does not require pipe cleaning, flow control or confined space entry, so the process is quicker and cheaper than other traditional inspection methods.

Environmental Benefits:
Typically 20 to 30% of a sewer system requires cleaning and maintenance and less than 5 percent requires immediate improvements to address structural defects. The CUES-IMX camera system can save substantial time and money identifying immediate needs and locating the pipelines that require cleaning and in-line inspection. Time and money is not wasted cleaning pipelines (three quarters of a typical system) and inspecting pipelines with in-line technology (95 percent of a typical system) that are in good condition.

Zoom inspection is typically performed as the first step in the development of a preventative maintenance or asset management program. A zoom inspection program provides critical information for improving system performance. It provides mapping, inventory and condition information that can be used immediately to reduce system operation and maintenance issues by quickly identifying areas of high-risk due to blockage or structural defects. The risk of backups or overflows can be assessed and addressed rapidly. Experience with the CUES-IMX zoom system indicates that the majority of the blockages, backups, overflows and odors originating within sanitary sewer systems could be avoided by performing a system-wide CUES-IMX inspection and proper maintenance. CUES-IMX does not require confined space entry or pipe cleaning prior to inspection. Therefore, more pipe footage can be inspected for less money in less time as compared to other inspection methods. This cost-effective allocation of scarce resources frees up funds that can then be spent on critical repairs and maintenance that might have otherwise been spent on unnecessary, time-consuming inspection and cleaning. The result of using the zoom technology is greater prevention of and protection from sewer blockages, backups and overflows which are a threat to the environment and public health.

The zoom system can also be used to inspect storm water systems to identify pipe segments that have capacity issues caused by debris buildup or structural damage. By identifying these conditions, the issues can be addressed so as to minimize potential flooding resulting from diminished capacity. The CUES-IMX zoom system can also be used in conjunction with dye testing of storm water systems to identify illicit sanitary sewer connections which pollute the natural waterways.

Performance:
Application of the CUES-IMX technology is fast and efficient. A two-man crew can inspect approximately one mile of pipe including manholes per day and about two miles of pipe without manholes per day. A typical manhole and pipeline inspection can be performed in 15 to 20 minutes with minimal impact to traffic, business and residents.

Limitations:
The CUES-IMX camera collects condition data for prioritizing pipelines that require cleaning, immediate repair or more detailed in-line inspection. The CUES-IMX system is not intended to replace in-line inspection technologies such as CCTV, scanning, laser profiling or sonar.

Cost¹:
The cost to perform the inspection of manholes or other buried structures starts at $45 per structure. Prices vary based on location, depth and required deliverables.

Pipeline inspection costs can be performed for about one-third the cost of in-line CCTV.

A utility should budget $1.00 to $2.00 per linear foot for a system-wide gravity sewer assessment. This cost will cover collecting GPS coordinates of manholes, mapping, zoom inspection of manholes and pipelines, data management (creating/updating GIS and work order management databases to include physical characteristic data and condition data), cleaning and performing in-line inspection of pipelines that require immediate attention, and prioritizing future inspection, maintenance and repair/rehabilitation activities.

¹Project specific cost estimates are available upon request. Costs may differ depending on the scope of work, location, manhole access and required deliverables.