Data: What's been found?
"Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman."
"Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictums of our passions, they cannot alter the state of the facts and evidence"
Let’s Shine A Light On The Facts
The following charts are based on data collected between January 2004 and December 2009. All data was substantiated, meaning that stray voltage was reported, or a shock was reported, after which Con Edison staff verified that stray voltage was present.
The key metrics are defined as follows:
- Energized Object: an object that was not intended to be energized such as a light post, manhole, sidewalk, grate, service box cover, manhole cover, roadway, etc. The number of energized objects represents the number of opportunities for pedestrians to be shocked.
- Stray Voltage Source: a failure in the utility’s infrastructure which creates stray voltage. One SV source can produce multiple energized objects. The number of SV sources represents the utility’s mitigation workload.
- Shock: an instance when a person or animal came into contact with stray voltage.
The following data was collected primarily through mobile and manual scans. Two manual scans were performed in 2004 and one each following year. Mobile scans started in 2005, where one scan was completed; 2 were done in 2006; 4 in 2007; 11 in 2008; and 12 as of December 2009.
How many energized objects were detected each year?
More than 34,720 energized objects have been detected from January 2004 through December 2009.
This chart shows the number of electrified objects that put the pedestrian at risk.
What is the trend of energized object detections?
In order to look at the trend the detected energized object data was converted to a monthly average. The average number of energized objects detected per month has been steadily increasing.
Over the last 6 years the number of scans increased from 2 in 2004 to 12 in 2009. Each year the process has improved as well. More and better scanning leads to more detection of energized objects.
How many Sources of energized objects were detected each year?
More than 25,761 sources of energized objects have been detected from January 2004 through December 2009.
This chart shows the number of Sources of electrified objects. This is the utilities repair list.
What is the trend of Sources of energized object?
In order to look at the trend the detected Source data was converted to a monthly average. The average number of energized objects detected per month has leveled off at about 500 failures per month.
It appears that the electrical distribution system fails 500 times per month. Looking at the second graph above, we see that these 500 Sources create 926 energized objects each month.
How are these Sources and Energized objects detected?
92% of all detections are made with mobile scanning.
Manual scanning finds about 7% and the remaining 1% is found by customers reporting shocks.
Who Is Responsible for Sources of Energized Objects?
90% of all Sources of energized objects are caused by Con Edison and DOT.
Geographically where are Energized Objects?
Energized objects are everywhere in all five boroughs of NYC.
Look at the NYC map page to find energized objects where you work and live.
Where Does Pedestrian Come in Contact With Energized Objects?
The pedestrian pathway is fraught with energized objects.
Streetlights, Traffic Lights, Sidewalks, Fences and Manholes account for 78% of all energized objects in the pedestrian pathway.
How Many Shocks Have Been Reported and Substantiated?
1014 shocks have been reported and validated from January 2004 through September 2009. Each shock report is an incident that shocked one or more people or pets.
What is the trend of shocks per month?
In order to look at the trend the shock data was converted to a monthly average. The average number of shocks detected per month has been steadily decreasing as number of scans increased.
Shocks declined 2004 thru 2009. With one scan per month shocks per month leveled off at 8/month 2008 and 2009
How Can Pedestrian Risk Be Reduced?
Look, Find, Mitigate => Reduce Shocks
| Year | Manual Scans | Mobile Scans | Total Complete Scans | Average Days Between Scans | Shocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 180 | 285 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 180 | 230 |
| 2006 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 120 | 188 |
| 2007 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 72 | 133 |
| 2008 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 30 | 94 |
| 2009 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 28 | 84 |
Total scans increased from 2 per year to 13 per year.
Average days between scans fell from 180 to 28 days.
Shocks dropped from 285 to 84 (70%).
Mobile scanning increased to one per month in 2009.
Shocks decreased from 285 per year to 84 per year in 2009.
There appears to be a correlation between shocks and the time between scans.
Looking at the relationship in the above table, we see a very clear correlation.
This chart demonstrates the correlation between the average number of days between scans (the x-axis) and the number of shocks (y-axis). Obviously, more frequent scans results in fewer days between scans and in turn fewer shocks. As the days between scans is reduced, the average amount of time an energized object is exposed to the pedestrian is reduced, which in turn means that there is less of a chance that a pedestrian will come in contact with an energized object and be shocked.
If you:
- Look for energized objects frequently
- Find energized objects frequently
- Mitigate (or prove safe) all energized objects
You will reduce shocks!