Collecting, Depicting, and Managing Subsurface Utility Data

Collecting, Depicting, and Managing Subsurface Utility Data in the 21st Century:SUE, GIS, GPS, and RFID : Collecting, Depicting, and Managing Subsurface Utility Data in the 21st Century:SUE, GIS, GPS, and RFID Presented by: James H. Anspach, P.G. In Conjunction with:

Today’s Agenda : Today’s Agenda Planned updates to CI/ASCE 38-02 Current Federal Research Projects R-01A GIS/GPS/RFID R-01B Multi-Sensor Platforms R-01C Expanding the Locatable Zone The Virginia Damage Prevention Research Project (VUPS/GTI/Trimble/CAT/ProStar) Total Data Management

Slide 3 : Utility Issues Getting More Attention 11 - 20 million miles of underground utilities exist in the U.S. Existing utilities are at varied depths, in varied soils, made of different materials, are varied sizes, have varied access More utilities are being installed daily, deeper and with less detectable materials No one entity in control; hodgepodge of laws, policies, attitudes (e.g. FAA & airports are both major utility owners but often do not share data; state DOTs say big problem is that municipalities do not share utility permit installation data)

What we have now : What we have now SUE mostly for Planning & Design One-Call mostly for Construction Utility Records mostly for utility owner asset management The Mission: Integrate all data sources for maximum effectiveness

Slide 5 : Subsurface Utility Engineering THEN (1985) Designating (Pipe and cable locators) Graphics Courtesy of TBE Pictures Courtesy of So-Deep Locating (Test Holes)

Slide 6 : Slide Courtesy of TBE Group Subsurface Utility Engineering A Professional Service QL D – Records Research QL C – Surveyed Features QL B – Designating QL A – Locating Utility Coordination Conflict Analysis Conflict Resolution Utility Relocation Design Corridor Planning Authoring Utility Policies Today Gravity Systems Rims & Inverts, CCTV, Sondes, Designating & Locating Overhead Poles, Lines, Pole Counts, Inventories Manhole Detailing Profiles Development Modern mapping tools GPR, “3D” Imaging, other new tools Construction Observation & Certified Record Drawings GIS Database Population Damage prevention Collection & Depiction

What’s Missing? : What’s Missing? Improved Geophysics to see utilities in the ground Better Data Management Improved access to authorized parties More timely data Better ways to display and make data useful National Utility Data Standards Keeping Data Current Better Installation Records Comprehensive Permit management

Slide 8 : Outlines specific steps for the engineer / surveyor to take that result in increasingly better utility mapping. Utilities as mapped are shown according to their “Utility Quality Level” which allows all parties to make better risk decisions. Use of Utility Quality Levels protects engineers and surveyors Requires all utility mapping to be performed under the direct responsible charge of a registered professional, experienced in utility issues, surface geophysics, survey, and CAD Increasing usage across the country is increasing its importance in cases where standard of care is an issue.

Imminent Updates to ASCE 38 : Imminent Updates to ASCE 38 GIS deliverables formatting Depth data for other than QLA Value Studies 3-D imaging geophysics

Potential Future Updates to ASCE 38 : Potential Future Updates to ASCE 38 Attribute and Metadata specifics Certified Record Drawing requirements 3-D deliverable examples

Slide 11 : 2007 Penn State Study for PENNDOT 10 randomly selected projects Looked at: Utility relocation costs Utility damage costs Emergency restoration costs Traffic delay costs Business impact costs User service costs Environmental impact costs Information gathering costs (i.e. not using QLs) Legal & Litigation Costs Efficient design costs Savings of $22.21 for every $1 spent in upgrading to QL B and QL A as opposed to projects using only QL D or QL C. Total cost of obtaining QL A / QL B was 0.6 % of project costs.

Slide 12 : SHRP II-R-01Encouraging Innovation in Locating and Characterizing Underground Utilities New and/or improved tools are needed to better locate and identify underground utilities during the preliminary engineering phase of a project, well before construction activities commence. These tools will make it possible to develop accurate plans that fully consider underground utilities and, by knowing this information early in the project development process, develop effective and cost efficient strategies to protect or relocate the utility or provide alternative service to utility customers if service must be interrupted temporarily.

Slide 13 : “Tools,” “Locate & Identify,” “Develop Accurate Plans” Geophysical technology used to detect and image underground utilities Processes, procedures, and techniques used by the field technicians in collecting the geophysical data in the field Means and methods of transferring data from the instrumentation to the data users Other sources of information regarding utility location, such as visual observation and/or existing records Integration and validation of data sources Formatting and display of data to the data users Retention of and record-keeping practices for the data Use of the recorded data for the next “locating” exercise at this location

Slide 14 : Analogy – Medical Imaging Most studied object in history Consists of widely different materials Research into imaging in the billions of dollars for CAT, Ultrasound, MRI, etc. Highly controlled imaging environment Great records No one method works for everything Exploratory surgery still common Highly trained interpreters of data

Slide 15 : R01-A. Technologies to Support Storage, Retrieval, and Utilization of 3-D Utility Location Data This project is intended to Support the development of software and hardware that would take advantage of recent advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies that would increase the quality and efficiency of storing, retrieving and utilizing utility records with three-dimensional positional information. Demonstrate the collection and use of such information in a multi-utility environment. New Federal Research Projects

Slide 16 : New Federal Research Projects R01-B. Multi-Sensor Platforms for Locating Underground Utilities This project will support the technological development of multi-sensor approaches to improving the detection and accurate determination of position for buried utilities. R01-C. Innovation in Expanding the Locatable Zone This project will support research and development for the development of the following; Locating technologies that target deep or stacked utilities that currently cannot be detected by surface-based approaches as currently employed. Hardware and software that supports the “smart tagging” of buried utility systems during the initial installation of new pipelines or during times when a utility is exposed during excavations for various purposes.

The : The Experiment: Lassoing SUE and Damage Prevention

Slide 18 : Existing VDOT Design Practices for Utilities During Project Development During Topo development (10% Design stage) get QLB SUE mapping Addresses issues such as abandoned utilities, private lines, commercial services, VDOT’s own facilities, etc. Utility mapping referenced to project survey control and shown on early design drawings. Allows early consideration of cost of relocation versus alternate design decisions. Identifies available corridors / space for new storm drainage, pole masts, utility relocations. Identifies all known utility owners early, even if VDOT has no previous record of them in the street or on private land. Can develop an early utility relocation cost estimate for project budgeting purposes. Get utility owners involved at 30% design stage By then have storm system, structural elements roughed in, and utilities can begin considering necessary relocation options. Utilities can let VDOT know of any planned utility facilities for future so they can take these into consideration. Can identify need for early QLA (test holes) Early enough that they may be able to accommodate a specific request by utility owner, e.g. unusual easements or space for structures. Between 30-50% design, have input from utilities on potential relocation issues VDOT suggests and “referees” relocation routing to eliminate delays due to utilities selecting identical space for relocation.

Slide 19 : VDOT consultants available to design utility relocations if utility owners cannot meet schedule or have in-house capabilities; regardless, VDOT pays for all utility relocation design costs in order to maintain control of project budget and timetable. VDOT negotiates utility easements for utilities in conjunction with VDOT right-of-way agents to maintain single point of contact between land / business owner and project. Project designers and utility relocation designers submit comprehensive test hole list to SUE consultant for the highly precise and accurate 3-D space data needed in our highly congested right of way. When all conflicts have been resolved, begin process of authorizing utilities to relocate. VDOT NOVA Utility Construction Forces are now in the game! Their role is to facilitate the expeditious and orderly relocation and new installation of utilities, whether before or in conjunction with project construction. They have begun several innovative initiatives to help VDOT control its project costs, minimize impacts to the citizens, and maintain complete control of our right of way They are gearing up for the day when GIS replaces CAD and paper files for our planning, design, construction, and maintenance needs.

Slide 20 : PROJECT EXAMPLE: Rte 29 and Gallows Road Very busy urban intersection that has undergone complete revision 4 times since 1980. Major traffic, telecommunications, and power corridor. Some national security “aspects” of these utilities make it even more interesting. Facilities such as post office, retail malls, major cell towers in area. Used to map utilities. So-Deep has been performing our SUE mapping in NOVA since 1986. Major traffic issues. SUE is able to address due to crew size, long timetable, non-normal working hours, and procedure for mapping and surveying all utilities with same crew. What we have discovered is that One-Call markings have unusually high error and omission rate due to one person crew more concerned for their life than for accurate markings. Our solution: Make it easier for utilities and others (such as our constructors) to know where utilities are in future by using new GPS / RFID technology, with an eye towards GIS implementation.

Slide 21 : Compiles Utility Information. Assign each programmable RFID tag with GPS coordinates for mapping purposes. RFID tags increase the accuracy of utility locating on the projects during construction. RFID will provide this information to Locators, and Excavators. Works in conjunction with existing VDOT SUE program during design phase of project development Does not supersede any Miss Utility Laws.

Slide 22 : Rte. 29/Gallows Rd.

Slide 23 : Install RFID tags on relocated facilities every 50’ for metallic pipes and every 25’ for non-metallic pipes. They are also installed at every horizontal or vertical directional change, critical existing utility crossings, service connections, and abandoned facilities. Install RFID on existing facilities during test pit operations. Programmable RFID tags provide pertinent information about the facility (Owner, Type, Elevation, etc.). Provide this information to the Utility Owners on a monthly basis.

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Slide 29 : RFID: pop-up informational tags active in PDF files.

Slide 30 : Install programmable RFID tags during the preliminary engineering stage of the project when the existing utilities are designated (QLB mapping) as part of the beginning phase of the best value plan concept. VUPS, GTI, and VDOT are involved in an initiative to provide the RFID information to the locating community. RFID “monitor” on construction equipment automates equipment shutdown when close to utility. U.S. patent just issued to UTILYSTAR for using RFID attached to utility structures for damage prevention purposes. Conflicting GIS platforms / security issues by VUPS, VDOT, Counties, and Utilities being addressed through transactional web-based system patented by GUARDIAN PROSTAR. Consideration is being made to implement this system into the Land Use Permit acquisition requirements.

Virginia Damage Prevention Pilots : Virginia Damage Prevention Pilots Phase I, II, III and IV

Slide 32 : Phase I Electronic White Line

Slide 33 : Phase I Electronic White Line

Phase I Metrics – Polygon Size : Phase I Metrics – Polygon Size

Slide 35 : Collection of GPS points of the field locate through the use of a GPS enabled locating instrument Overlay the GPS points on VUPS’ ortho-photography / land-base. Archive the electronic manifest within VUPS’ ticket history Phase II Electronic Manifest

Slide 36 : Current manifest record Phase II Electronic Manifest

Slide 37 : To This .

Slide 38 : Allow excavator access to view the document for a “birds eye” view of excavation site Location documentation Transmit the GPS locate data to individual utilities for a verification of maps and records Path to Phase III Phase II Benefits

Phase 3 : Phase 3 Objective Develop and demonstrate a GPS-based excavation monitoring system Phase 3A - Protect against excavators that do not utilize the one-call center or accidently leave the valid ticket area Phase 3B - Protect against excavator encroachment

Phase 3A : Phase 3A GPS Excavation Monitoring Low cost, low accuracy Commercially available Additional benefits Portal Central data repository Monitoring software to detect excavation activity that is occurring outside of a valid one-call ticket

Phase 3A : Phase 3A Digging Trigger How does the system know when digging is occurring? Retrofit Sensors Motion or pressure sensors Diagnostics Next Generation Equipment

Phase 3A : Phase 3A Pilot Project Fall 2009 Soliciting participation from excavators Selecting equipment types

Phase 3B : Phase 3B GPS grade control system High accuracy, high cost Commercially available Additional benefits Real-Time Portal Monitoring software to warn excavator of imminent encroachment Low and high cost options GPS-Enabled Locator High accuracy GPS

Phase 3B : Phase 3B Equipment Manufacturers Next Generation Equipment Pilot Project Summer 2010

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Slide 48 : Contact Information for the companies mentioned within: Matthew D. McLaughlin Virginia Department of Transportation Matt.McLaughlin@VDOT.Virginia.gov www.jhanspach.com Jim@JHAnspach.com Cell: 541-678-2151 Mark Warden 703-361-6005 Mwarden@sodeep.com www.sodeep.com www.utilystar.com www.prostar.com www.asce.org Gas Technology Institute www.gastechnology.org 10740 Lyndale Ave S., Suite 15W Bloomington, MN 55420 952-746-2301 / 866-279-7755