Underground Data Collection Dilemmas

Overhead distribution and management is no easy task, but at least we can see downed lines and damaged poles, assess aging infrastructure, and validate records. Underground systems create even more complications. 

It’s harder to access, harder to track, and harder to maintain underground systems and assets. But to unlock the full potential of advanced grid tech and green solutions we have to find ways to document and manage underground assets.  

The More You Know

Electric utilities, engineering firms, and construction crews all benefit from more detailed data on underground assets. More info helps: 

• Reduce accidental strikes and minimize safety hazards for workers. 

• Track equipment age and condition so utilities can determine where to prioritize maintenance for the greatest impact. 

• Minimize downtime for customers when outages occur, with exact location information for faster fixes.  

• Inform where to implement smart grid technology and track performance. 

• Identify conflicts before construction begins, so engineering firms can accurately assess costs and timelines for projects and designing.

The Nitty Gritty of Underground Data Collection

Crews record info like spatial location, depth, material, size, conditions, maintenance history, connectivity points, accessibility points, and more.

To get that info, crews tend to use one of the following methods: 

Radio Frequency Locators (RFL) 

RFL provides survey info using a transmitter and receiver to detect locations and dimensions. While highly accurate, RFL only detects metal objects since it requires the target to send a signal. 

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)  

Ground penetrating radar detects metallic and nonmetallic materials and even maps out broken connections. However, GPR takes more training and more time to execute, and it can be affected by soil conditions. While data can be used for modeling, processing is time-consuming. 

Electromagnetic (EM) locators 

EM locators primarily provide imaging for metallic assets, like RFL. It’s much quicker than ground penetrating radar and isn’t affected by ground conditions, but it also doesn’t gather as detailed data. 

GPS surveying and/or LiDAR

While GPS and LiDAR don’t capture below-ground assets, they do help create a more complete spatial picture for mapping by showing where underground equipment is in relation to above-ground features. 

Every data collection method has its drawbacks, and crews also need documentation, field notes, and photos to get enough context on assets.

Align and Combine 

The main challenges of underground boil down to data integration and verification: 

1. Utilities have to find a way to host underground and overhead data in one place for one version of truth. 

2. Outdated information needs updated, but the sticker shock of recollection can be a tough pill to swallow. 

All the Data, All in One Place 

Back office crews have to clean, validate, convert, and standardize raw sensor data into usable formats with meaningful location and depth information before it can be used for accurate spatial querying. 

Then utilities need to be able to integrate underground and overhead data in one central location to get a complete view of all their assets. However, various measurements, standards, formats, and systems make compiling data onto one platform difficult. With multiple platforms managing different assets, it’s hard to rely on one source of truth. 

Updating the Outdated 

Legacy systems and collection methods create even more confusion since many historical records were gathered using now outdated methods and are inaccurate or inconsistent.

To get the most accurate information, underground systems would need to be re-collected and updated, but different methods can produce different results. The cost of verifying old records and validating new data disincentivizes routine maintenance and collection. 

Things to Keep in Mind for Underground Collection

Just because underground distribution systems are out of sight doesn’t mean they can be out of mind. It means we need to increase visibility by collecting good data that brings long-lasting value. To do that well, we need to remember a few key things:

1. Accurate data demands multiple methods. 

As of yet, no one data collection method can provide complete and reliable data for all underground assets. Technology is always advancing—maybe one day there will be an all-in-one data collection method that gathers not just advanced underground info but overhead too! Until then, successful collection means combining methods like GPR, RFL, or EM locators, leveraging GPS surveying and LiDAR, and analyzing historical records. 

2. Set standards of consistency. 

Consistent formatting, attributes, units, and procedures are critical to providing usable data. When done right, that data can be reused for more than just construction projects or upgrade initiatives. It helps point out risks, plan for smart grid technologies, and provide essential insight when outages occur. 

3. Don’t forget to document. 

Every field observation, maintenance program, and construction project is a chance to gather or verify data. Documenting findings builds a knowledge base that can provide huge long-term value for utilities as they manage infrastructure. 

4. Quality control is worth the cost. 

The financial burden of validating data is an investment in the future value of your work and the grid. QA and QC avoid future errors that could cost lives, not just money. Ensuring accuracy cuts down on calendar days, improves response speeds, and most importantly avoids strikes. 

5. Integration is essential. 

Advanced GIS platforms, asset management software, and digital twins help ensure accurate utility mapping, and the best solutions will seamlessly integrate and house both overhead and underground data. From a collection point of view, this’ll require careful attention to compatibility and structure, and being rigorous in the quality of deliverables. 

We can’t expect to leverage new and advanced technology if we don’t have accurate and consistent data on both overhead and underground power systems (ideally all stored in one place!). Improving the grid and harnessing smarter, greener solutions should start with solving data inconsistencies and integration challenges between overhead and underground. 

Before collecting underground data, mapping tools help establish routes for electric networks, water, sewer, communications, and other utilities.

Thanks for reading! Underground data collection presents a whole slew of new challenges, but they’re ones we’re excited to help solve with Katapult Pro. Improving underground distribution is crucial to improving our grid, and you can start bringing greater value to utilities today. Shoot us an email at contact@katapultengineering.com to learn more.