Sub-Surface Utility Mapping is on the Rise!

True North | Spring 2021

In the last 12-24 months, utility locate mapping has taken several significant steps forward. Although not a new concept, it never seemed to have much industry momentum until the last year or two. Whether this was due to a past focus on capturing above-ground assets or because the hardware/software was previously not ready, it is hard to say. But in hindsight one can look back and say with confidence it is becoming mainstream today!

Utility owners, locate contractors, sub-surface utility engineers, and others are exploring new solutions and addressing age-old challenges around mapping underground infrastructure better, faster, and cheaper.

Some of the past challenges included:

• Frustration with the time it took to manually produce a utility locate sketch.
• Concerns about the accuracy, reliability, and repeatability of a hand-drawn sketch.
• Struggles with the costs of mapping in a very competitive industry.
• Fear that the addition of a mapping solution would over-complicate a company’s current locating workflow.

Hopefully the following information will assist you in narrowing down the right solution to meet your needs!

The components of a successful solution - hardware + software + network + training + support - have finally aligned with the various tools for locating underground infrastructure and mapping it. It is no longer just ‘mapping the paint’ from a locate or capturing daylight for proof of an exposed utility or following the path of ground-penetrating radar or even capturing the path of a sonde as it is pushed through a pipe. It is a solution that captures all the above and more (including above-ground assets).

There are a variety of solutions on the market that range from the all-in-one locator that has RTK GNSS built-in with on-board mapping software to highly configurable software platforms that can leverage GNSS from multiple manufacturers, bring your own device (BYOD) as well as multiple different utility locate brands. Each offers its own unique approach.

RadioDetection RD 8200 with Catalyst correction service and an Android smartphone

What makes up the ideal solution?

A utility locator with Bluetooth technology enables you to capture the locate parameters from the unit and link them to a spatial location as you map the locate. There are two common choices when it comes to GNSS hardware: a low cost, high accuracy on-demand antenna mounted to the locating unit OR a backpack mounted high performance receiver. In both cases, whether you choose to bring your own device or invest in a rugged device, they are mounted to the locate unit so the locator can see utility data as its being mapped in real-time. The external GNSS configuration offers the ability to collect additional site information such as capturing above-ground assets (for example, reference pts).

Utility mapping software that integrates the hardware into an optimized workflow that enables the capture of utility locate data and a spatial location as paint is applied, is key. But the real differentiators are the additional functions that go beyond the typical out of the box data collection features. Examples are stakeout capabilities, the ability to connect the points beyond just drawing lines, and the ability to delete erroneous data. The combination of these features coming together in an intuitive and easy so use format are vital, but it does not stop here. Additional tools for the locator to QA/QC the data directly after capture are to help ensure data quality. Once the collection step is complete, it is now synchronized from the field back into the office without losing any of the efficiencies gleaned during collection. A seemingly simple step, but there are a surprisingly large number of requirements ranging from grabbing a snapshot of the map back at the truck to direct integration into an on-line service.

The network component can be separated into two areas. The first is cellular, Wi-Fi or vehicle hotspot, which is typically used to synchronize the data as well as deliver the accuracy subscription in the field. The second is an accuracy service (Can-Net), required to deliver spatial accuracy to the GNSS receiver. Decimeter and centimeter accuracies have become the industry standard. A note worthy point around the advancements in technology are that accuracy subscriptions which have only been offered yearly and monthly in the past, are now offered in hourly allotments with some technology. This has really extended the flexibility of high accuracy data collection in the field.

Training seems to vary significantly between the different solutions from dedicated training companies, with out of the box courses and manuals to those utility mapping solutions that require more of an orientation rather than a course. The latter being a checkmark when it comes to ease of use. Solution setup ranges from a more pre-determined and defined set of workflows with off the shelf software approaches to a configurable platform approach that enables a more tailored approach to your specific workflow requirements.

Support options range from solution to solution from those offering minimum support to those that have dedicated support teams supplemented further with on-line support portals.

When addressing any challenges that your company faces, it is important to assess where you are today and what is your desired future state. In the case of utility mapping, we are finally starting to see the convergence of a solution that I believe will address the previous struggles that plagued the digital utility locater in the past.

Brock Kingston
Senior Account Manager, MGIS
Cansel