4.1 IntroductionThe main objective of this thesis was the development of a framework for a decision support tool, CAST (Condition Assessment Selection Tool). Once data was collected on condition assessment technologies, a way to compare them was needed. Several different formats and programs were considered, including MS Access, MS Excel and MS Visio. After careful consideration of all methods, the MS Excel-based method was selected due to the following characteristics: Wide use is possible due to the universal acceptance and availability of MS Excel. Revising and adding new technologies is much easier. It does not require any special training. Both MS Excel and MS Access based tools have the ability to compare technologies and store data within themselves. Excel was chosen over Access because of the ease with which new information can be entered, allowing databases to be expanded as new technologies are added. This, together with the ability to copy the formulas used to compare the multiple technologies into the database to produce the graphs as part of the results, was found to be ideally suited to the development of the CAST.4.2 AssumptionsTo develop the CAST there are a basic assumption that was to be made, which is as follows:4.2.1 Identification of assets to be inspectedIt is assumed that step 5 of the 10-step condition assessment program, as discussed in section 1.3 , has already been completed before using the tool. Using CAST requires users to have basic information about the pipeline assets and surrounding parameters they need to inspect. Basic information about assets and surrounding features required by CAST users are explained in section 4.4.4.3 FrameworkAs me...... middle of paper ......ment technologies on axis X; the Y axis illustrates the percentage values, the bars are colored according to the DRI value of the technologies. The legend on the right side illustrates the color coding of the bars.Figure 31: Usability IndexFigure 32: Detectability IndexFigure 33: Total Performance Index4.4.8 Economic IndicesThe economic indices of various technologies are displayed in this worksheet in the form of graphics. Figures 34 and 35 illustrate the material cost index and the intangible cost index respectively. The Tangible Cost Index provides the dollar/ft value of implementing condition assessment technology. The intangible cost index gives a comparative value of the combined user and traffic impacts due to the implementation of condition assessment technology. Figure 34: Material cost index Figure 35: Intangible cost index