Introduction of the new Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Program compliance regulations in December 2000 includes the requirement to identify High Consequence Areas (HCA). These new compliance regulations have incited new maintenance challenges for pipeline operators. HCA identification tools, developed to determine potential release volumes and impact locations can now be utilized to minimize the HCA exposure potential as new pipelines are proposed and their routes planned. Simple planimetric information regarding proposed pipeline routes is translated into a spatial, or three-dimensional, digital model to simulate the potential release of product. In addition to the lateral translation of the pipeline centerline to avoid HCA features, further evaluations can be performed to simulate the placement of mainline valves, optimize SCADA response times, and evaluate the impact that elevation poses on drain-down volumes. Improved strategies for pipeline placement early in the design phase of construction can prove to be cost effective during the operating life of the pipeline.