Feasibility of Mapping and Marking Underground Utilities By State Transportation Departments

10567113242018Duval, Richard B.PDFTech ReportFHWA-HRT-16-019HRDI-20/07-18(50)EDTFH61-12-C-00025Public utilitiesUnderground utility linesPublic utilities--Location--United StatesRoads--Right of way--United StatesUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationQuiroga, CesarAnspach, JamesScott, PaulKraus, EdgarTexas Transportation InstituteUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterDuval, RichardFederal Highway AdministrationA critical factor that contributes to inefficiencies in the management of utility issues in highway projects is the lack of accurate, complete information about utility facilities that might be in conflict with the project. Barriers that transportation agencies must overcome before collecting and storing utility location data include, but are not limited to, liability in connection with data accuracy, visualization of data reliability and accuracy, long-term storage and maintenance of the electronic data, access to the data, and homeland security issues. The objective of the research was to document issues associated with State transportation departments asserting their responsibility for managing utility installations within the highway right-of-way. The research focused on the use of three-dimensional (3D) techniques by State transportation departments. Activities completed to meet this objective included the following: (1) a literature review on the use of 3D technology; (2) outreach to State transportation departments to document business practices and lessons learned from a review of selected case studies; (3) an analysis of strategies, barriers for implementation, and return on investment; and (4) a review of the use of radio frequency identification technology to mark and manage underground utility installations, along with a discussion of benefits and costs. The audience for this report includes State transportation departments, utility owners, one-call notification centers, consultants, and contractors