Pilot Program Uses Mapping Technology to Locate Underground Utilities

Photo credit MN DPS

Are you like me? When you drive, do you almost always use Google Maps, even if you’re just going to the grocery store? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could use similar technology to arrive accurately at your final excavation destination? Maybe you can!

In August 2020, Gopher State One Call (GSOC) in partnership with the Minnesota Underground Utility Mapping Project Team (UUMPT) initiated a pilot project that incorporated advanced underground locating technology with shared mapping services — like Google Maps for utilities! The program introduced 12 cities and a few excavation contractors to two new systems: Vivax-Metrotek’s vLoc3-ProRTK locator, which is supported by UtilityLogic, and Subsurface Solutions’ Radiodection GPS utility mapping system. The pilot program included a 30-day trial of either system.

The goal of this program was to enable facility operators to map utilities more accurately and in a timely manner while introducing this new technology to end users. Ultimately, this technology aims to improve safety and reduce the hazards associated with excavation around underground utilities.

Feedback from the initial program participants was overwhelmingly positive. They reported:

• 

  Photo credit Marc Dunker

  Improved efficiency of locating without loss of productivity.                                 
  
• More accurate locates.
• Improved safety.
• Easy to use with a short learning curve.
• Easy to map larger areas such as neighborhoods and developments.

As with any new technology, there is a learning curve, and a few minor drawbacks were noted. Like other surveying methods, some users reported that trees and time of day created minor issues. 

Here are resources for more information

If you would like to know more about the program, these articles take a closer look:

• Dp-PRO 2021 Fall Article
• Excavation Safety Magazine Q1 2023

And if you would like more information about the technology used, contact:

• Joe Rubbelke, Director of Utility Logic, at sales@utility-logic.com
• Travis Beran, President of Subsurface Solutions, at travis@subsurfacesolutions.com

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GSOC

The updated 2023 GSOC Handbook is your source for safety and legal requirements when excavating in Minnesota. If you want more information on Gopher State One Call or this program specifically, go to gopherstateonecall.org or contact Barbara M. Cederberg, Chief Operations Officer at Gopher State One Call, at (651) 681-7307 or Barbara.cederberg@gopherstateonecall.org. 

If you need assistance with excavation safety or any other safety matters at your city, please contact your League of Minnesota Cities loss control consultant. We are happy to help!

 As always, please work safely; many people are depending on you!

Submitted by: Marc Dunker, Loss Control Consultant