ENV-06-150 Field Data Collection Using Handheld Computers

Description:

In the management of groundwater remediation programs at petroleum refineries, there is a growing need to accurately collect field data including groundwater and product elevations, groundwater sampling field parameters, and remediation system performance data. In order to improve data accuracy, and reduce data collection costs, the environmental staff at the National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) McPherson, Kansas has developed a seamless data collection and transmission process. Historically, these data have been recorded on paper field forms, which are then stored or transcribed into a database for future reporting. To reduce the potential for errors and to increase the efficiency of the data collection and storage, NCRA and their consultant Trihydro Corporation (Trihydro) have developed and implemented software applications which are used to seamlessly collect, transmit, and incorporate field data into the project database. The hand held data collection applications reduce the number of times that a person enters or manipulates data by hand. Using the hand held applications, data are only entered once, and the transmission and incorporation of data are automatic. In addition to the reduction in potential errors due to less manual manipulation of data, the applications use historical data to predict appropriate values for data currently being entered. If the new data are outside of a predetermined and adjustable range, the user is prompted to confirm that the data entered are accurate. Data collection time is reduced by eliminating data transmission and incorporation time thereby reducing data collection costs.