Pipeline Open Data Standard

The Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) is a data model and associated standards for storing information about pipelines. It has been developed and maintained by the PODS Association since 1998.^[1] It provides pipeline operators with a database architecture for storing critical information and analysis data about their pipeline systems, and allows them to manage this data geospatially for visualization in GIS platforms.^[2]

PODS Association

The PODS Association is a non-profit, member-driven 501(c) organization. A volunteer technical committee is responsible for strategic and technical decisions, and the organization's 12 board members are elected or re-elected yearly. As of November 2022, the executive director position is the only full-time role in the organization, and is currently held by Monique Roberts. It also employs staff in part-time coordination roles for education, marketing, membership and technical matters.

Membership and model usage

Membership of the organization is made up of users of the data model; these are mainly pipeline operators and government agencies. Over the last 25 years, the PODS data model has been implemented by over 200 pipeline operators in 36 countries, representing over 3 million miles pipeline and systems including facilities, storage and stations. The model is used by the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to input data into the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS).