Mobile-friendly, accessible by text and social tags, the new online pipeline upgrade map shares worksite information at the neighborhood level
PHILADELPHIA–Today, PGW is launching its new, mobile-friendly Pipeline Improvement map. Available simply by texting the word WORK to the phone number 75308 the interactive mapping tool harnesses open city data to share up-to-date, street-level information on planned infrastructure projects, block by block. Residents and businesses can search by address or ZIP code to locate infrastructure upgrade projects that are ongoing, or which are scheduled within the next three months. In addition to locating project sites, the map will also tell users which phase of work the project is at, and what the projected timeframe for completion is. The new tool is housed on PGW’s website at pgworks.com/worksites and will also be distributed on Twitter, Facebook and Nextdoor.
“People increasingly want self-service options that they can access instantly, without taking too much time out of their busy schedules”
PGW is currently upgrading over 30 miles of its underground pipeline each year as part of its long-term infrastructure improvement program (LTIIP). The new mobile-ready Pipeline Improvement map has been developed because of the scale of this program, and because of its potential to impact the daily activities of residents and local businesses.
“PGW is committed to improving the way it communicates, and this new mapping tool is a key part of that initiative,” said PGW Director of Public Affairs Melanie McCottry. “We recognize that infrastructure projects can lead to a lot of questions. By making better use of available data and today’s online, interactive tools, PGW’s Pipeline Improvement map can answer many of those questions quickly, efficiently and on-the-go.”
The new Pipeline Improvement map allows people to better prepare for PGW projects that might interrupt their daily routine. It also facilitates better coordination. PGW’s infrastructure program often takes place at the same time and place as work from other utilities, city-wide street paving projects and Philadelphia’s continuing neighborhood development projects. This map allows users to identify which projects belong to PGW and who to contact with questions.
In conjunction with the map, residents can also use the hashtag #Conewatch on Twitter to receive worksite updates and follow the steps of a PGW infrastructure improvement project in real-time.
“People increasingly want self-service options that they can access instantly, without taking too much time out of their busy schedules,” said McCottry. “This innovative solution brings important information and actionable insight to customers, the broader utility industry, civic thinkers and policy makers.”
By making data easily accessible, PGW hopes to encourage residents and businesses to become more familiar with how their utility is performing, engage with their crews and contractors, and build tools and resources that ultimately make Philadelphia an even better place to live and work. Explore the map at pgworks.com/worksites.
About PGW:
Founded in 1836, The Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) is owned by the City of Philadelphia and is the largest municipally owned gas utility in the country. It manages a distribution system of approximately 6,000 miles of gas mains and service pipes supplying approximately 500,000 customers. PGW’s operations are managed by a non-profit corporation, the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC). More information about the company is available at www.pgworks.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA TAGS: PGW Twitter: @MyPGW ~ PGW Facebook: facebook.com/MyPGW ~ PGW YouTube: PhillyGasWorks ~ Nextdoor: nextdoor.com/MyPGW