The Role of GIS in Utility Mapping
Creating comprehensive maps of utilities both above and belowground can provide construction project management with a clear picture of where utility lines in their work area lie. Accurate utility location can have a huge impact on damage prevention, which is why it is so important to create and maintain up-to-date utility maps. Traditional methods of utility mapping rely on paper maps with handwritten redlines and notes, all of which need to be continuously uploaded to online databases for analysis and storage. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can streamline the utility mapping process and improve the ease of data management and storage. This article will delve into several benefits of integrating GIS into utility mapping.
Comprehensive Pre-Construction Planning
The pre-construction planning process of any project is of paramount importance. It is essential for all members of the team to have a clear idea of project goals, methodologies, deliverables, and any potential difficulties to keep in mind. Using GIS to store data collected by subsurface utility locators allows you to create an accurate, up-to-date map of all utilities in the project work area. These maps can be used to determine potential obstacles, estimate the duration of construction, designate property/boundary lines, and prevent utility strikes during excavation. This allows project management to predict construction outcomes more easily and ensure that project deliverables remain as similar as possible to the client’s desired outcome. Furthermore, efficiently mapping out utilities prior to project planning decreases the possibility of mistakes that must be fixed later, thus preventing unnecessary rework.
Improving Efficiency of Field Work
Traditional fieldwork processes have proven inefficient and outdated. Relying solely on paper maps to record data and receive feedback and suggestions from project management can open the door to errors and inaccuracies, as well as slowing down quality control processes. In addition, data and notes must be constantly uploaded to online databases for storage and analysis, which can take up a lot of extra time. Integrating GIS into fieldwork processes can cut down on wasted time, improving efficiency and completely digitizing data collection. Using GIS, field crews can log data and notes directly into a shared database, allowing for real-time updates and enabling project management to provide instant feedback. Data logged into GIS is automatically organized and attributed to the specific location it was collected.
Digital Data Storage & Management
Storing and managing data from physical maps can take up a lot of room—physical storage can also cause unnecessary issues. For example, trying to find a specific map in a room of storage cabinets and bookshelves filled with decades of records can be time-consuming and arduous. Furthermore, physical storage can allow the possibility of maps or other records to be lost if stored incorrectly. With GIS, all data is automatically stored in one place, greatly improving the ease of access, and allowing for effective data management. By digitizing maps and records, it is possible to store backups of all data, ensuring that nothing is lost or out of place.
Streamlining Asset Management
When planning out construction or infrastructure projects, it is essential to have a clear understanding of where utilities lie. Using GIS, utility locators can easily map out the locations of utilities both above and belowground. Moreover, GIS makes it possible to overlay mapped utilities with other features, including street maps, topography of the area, regulatory boundaries, property lines, etc. to create a comprehensive view of utilities’ spatial context.
Increasing Ease of Utility Inspections
Maintenance of utility lines and pipes is instrumental in preventing leaks, damage, and/or other safety concerns. However, periodic utility inspections can be time and labor intensive. By mapping out the utilities in each work area using GIS, project managers can easily delegate tasks and assign crews to inspect different areas. Field crews can upload notes and data about their inspection directly into the map, including coordinate points of the location in question. Keeping utility maps accurate and up to date can make it easier to determine areas of concern, as well as provide excavators with sufficient information to avoid damaging underground utilities due to mislocated utilities.
References
“GIS for Utilities: Optimize Asset Inspection and Maintenance.” Unearth, www.unearthlabs.com/blogs/gis-uses-utilities#:~:text=GIS%20enables%20utilities%20to%20automatically,of%20documents%20or%20burning%20DVDs.
“Why GIS Is Critical to Utility Mapping.” Landpoint, 10 Dec. 2021, www.landpoint.net/why-gis-is-critical-to-utility-mapping/.