Mapping the Underworld: A Step-Change in the Approach to Utility Location and Designation

Trenchless technologies (TT), unlike open cut trenching, offer the potential to install, maintain and refurbish buried utilities without the need to close long stretches of carriageway. Recent studies indicate that carbon emissions associated with trenchless installations are far smaller, and trenchless installations are more sustainable, than trenching. Yet utility companies, and their contractors, routinely shun trenchless technologies due to the perceived risk of damaging previously undetected third party assets. Mapping the Underworld (MTU) seeks to create a multi-sensor tool, and a new philosophical approach to underground mapping, to mitigate such risks and facilitate the routine adoption of TT. The novel approach is now being developed through the proof of concept stage towards field trials and the results of these proving trials form the basis of this paper. Moreover such street works, like all construction, repair, renewal and maintenance projects, must be reviewed in terms of a sustainability assessment framework to explore their real costs and benefits to the society on behalf of which, as ultimate ‘users’ of the facilities, the works are being carried out. This paper seeks to integrate the findings of a highly multi-disciplinary technology-based project with a wider research program on the context of effective and efficient working in the streets. The lessons drawn from this program of research extend to all aspects of pipeline engineering.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1061/41202(423)168
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784412022
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Copyright © 2011 ASCE
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Royal, A C D
  • Rogers, C D F
  • Atkins, P R
  • Chapman, D N
  • Chen, Huanlei
  • Cohn, A G
  • Foo, K Y
  • Goddard, K
  • Hayes, R
  • Hao, Tianyong
  • Lewin, P L
  • Metje, N
  • Muggleton, J M
  • Naji, A
  • Orlando, G
  • Pennock, S R
  • Redfern, M A
  • Saul, A J
  • Swingler, S G
  • Wang, P
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Pipelines and Trenchless Technology 2011
  • Location: Beijing , China
  • Date: 2011-10-26 to 2011-10-29
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 1589-1597
• Monograph Title: ICPTT 2011: Sustainable Solutions For Water, Sewer, Gas, And Oil Pipelines

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Field studies; Mapping; Pipelines; Pollutants; Sensors; Sustainable development; Trenchless technology; Underground utility lines
• Identifier Terms: Mapping the Underworld
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Environment; Highways; Pipelines; I15: Environment; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01469587
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784412022
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Jan 17 2013 1:47PM