Midspans & Critical Crossings -
Main Camera Operator

Usually teams will be starting in spans. There are two points along the span that will need photos:

• Midspans - the midpoint between the poles, this should also be the point where the cables are closest to the ground (although the midpoint will not always align perfectly with the lowest point). 

• Critical Crossings - Additional sections along the span where the make ready clearances are different from the midpoint, with a higher clearance threshold (may not be present in each span). 

If the midpoint is over a yard, the standard clearance is relatively low and we will need a good height photo at the lowest point to ensure make ready clearances are maintained. If further down the span crosses over a driveway, the clearances for the driveway are higher (compared to the yard). So even though the cables will measure higher, we need to make sure we are able to maintain clearances in both places. 

The photo to the right shows the office view where make ready passes at the midpoint but causes a violation over the driveway.

The main camera operator is responsible for three things at midspans & critical crossings: confirming the team is at the right spot and the span is accurately designed on the map, taking the height photo, and pressing "done" on the phone. The purpose of the midspan height photo is to measure heights of cables, especially their distance above ground.

There are three key requirements to taking accurate midspan height photos:

1. Take the shot perpendicular to the midspan. It is imperative that the main camera operator is perpendicular to the aerial cables. Other angles may introduce a “lean” to the wires, which could drastically amplify any errors. Do your best not to compromise taking the picture perpendicular to the midspan. Prioritize this angle to avoid drastically increased likelihood of introducing error.

2. Stand at a healthy distance from the midspan. Using a camera clip can help prevent the main camera operator from zooming out too far because they’re standing too close to the midspan. Standing too close to the midspan will introduce parallax, which will make taking an inaccurate photo more likely.

3. Frame the photo in portrait orientation. While Katapult Pro works on landscape photos, taking the photo in portrait orientation ensures more pixels are delegated to the subject of interest in the photo. Landscape orientation creates “wasted space” and less resolution dedicated to the midspan. Giving the wires and the bottom of the height stick margin ensures the main camera operator is standing far enough away to prevent parallax. Standing too close to the midspan will introduce parallax, which will make taking an inaccurate photo more likely.

Once the height photo is taken, the main camera operator will select the appropriate "done" on the mobile device.  

A) "Done" (white button with the lighter blue triangle) will place a section where the center of the map is (similar to a free-drawing section tool). It's important to center the map to where the photo is being captured. This button will be used for critical crossings. 

B) "Done (Midpoint)" (orange button with darker blue triangle) will place a primary section at the exact midpoint on the span, regardless of where the map is centered. It's important that the field crew is actually positioned at the midpoint when using this button. This button will be used when collecting the midpoint of the span.

Notice, after confirming you are standing in the correct spot and all the necessary details are drawn on the map, you can immediately begin taking the midspan photo. After taking the photo you will press done and move to the next location on the map.